Frequently Asked Questions: Digitization, Restoration, & Printing

View FAQs for photography services here.

Do I have to bring you my original in order to receive an estimate on its restoration?

Yes. A visual inspection of your original is mandatory in determining the amount of work required to bring your original back to life and give you an accurate assessment of the time that will be required. I can also give you a more accurate assessment of the reproduction sizes possible based on the size and sharpness of your original. Restoration work does not have to be expensive. It all depends on the level of deterioration, fading, or potential damage, and what your expectations are.

Can you restore my actual original print?

Unfortunately no. That's why it's so important that you have your original digitally restored. Often once old prints begin to fade, it becomes more and more difficult to bring them back. Modern prints, like the ones I make off of your restored digital file, have phenomenal archival longevity, and if stored and displayed properly, should last generations without fading or color shifting. This is why I always recommend printing your favorite and most important photos. Prints are your true backups should your digital file become lost in computer Never Never Land or deleted somehow.

Can you copy another professional photographer's photos?

If they are an active professional and I have their permission, yes. I always recommend clients contact the original photographer for reprints. As a professional myself I still have on file most of the photos I have taken for this very purpose. Prints from the original file, rather than a copy, are always going to be better, though I can usually come pretty close.

Should the photographer no longer be in business, retired or deceased, then the likelihood is yes I can copy the photo for you.

My original photo is stuck to glass, should I remove it before I bring it you?

No, do not try to remove it. It's best to copy it through the glass rather than risk damaging it further.

If I still have the original negative, should I bring that in, instead of the photo?

I would say definitely yes. We are just going to get a better result and it will probably save you money. A win win.

Can you blow up my original to a larger size than it actually is?

Yes, sure can. The caveat is how large depends upon the size and sharpness of your original, and what level of loss of sharpness you might be willing to accept. When you bring me your original I can inspect it and help you with that decision.

How large can you print?

My in house printing can go as large as 16 inches wide, by however long, such as 16 x 24.

What kind of digital files are your scans and restorations outputted to?

The default is a high quality jpeg in sRGB color space. This is your generic meat and potato type file that you can take anywhere for printing and displays properly on your computer. But I have the capability to output any kind of file you want in any colorspace, in both 8 or 16 bit.

Scan sizes on your original print for restoration will vary depending upon what we have decided upon as being the maximum output size. There is no point in creating a giant scan of a wallet photo, for example, if the maximum final print size for the image is going to be 5x7 or smaller.

For 35mm slides and negatives the scan size is around 4400 x 6700 pixels, which is nice and big.

Can you scan odd size films?

Yes, but those are treated under the photo restoration category, because a special setup is required to get the initial scan; and if the film is old, it may require some spiffing up to get the image presentable before it can be printed.

Where are you located? Do you have store hours.

I work out of my studio in Arcata. Because of the nature of my business, that I am also a photographer, I see folks by appointment only and give them my address at the time the appointment is made. That said, I have a lot of flexibility in my schedule and I am usually able to be very accommodating for meeting with folks.

How long do orders take?

Typically three to five days. I’ll give you an accurate estimate on turnaround time when you place your order. If you are trying to meet a deadline, please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate you.