Saturday Project.

I sometimes get asked if I do photo restoration. Yes, I do.

I love photography, pressing the shutter capturing a moment that will never occur again is awesome.

The opportunity to work on an original print from over a hundred years ago when another photographer did that very thing of a couple on their wedding day that is very special indeed.

Thinking about them sitting there posing for the photographer much as I have couples do now when I photograph a wedding makes me wonder what the technology may be like in another hundred years.

The photo has the typical damage from a photo that old, discoloration, silvering (where the black areas appear blueish and reflective), fading, tears and some water damage.

This was a large photo I received from the client, it’s 11 x 14, I believe a Gelatin DOP print (silver bromide: it exhibits many of the identifying characteristics, DOP appears black and white unless image deterioration has occurred; matte, glossy or textured; often exhibits silvering; may fade; paper fibers not visible.)

I set up my camera with a 50 mm prime lens on a tripod, copy stand format and a cable shutter release, to create the image to work on.

The restoration process is not exceptionally difficult knowing the techniques to use but it is tedious.

This image took me three hours.

A labor of love preserving someone’s family history.

A very rewarding Saturday Project.