+ Are my photographs and slides really at risk?
Photographs can actually last for many years - though few actually do. Mostly they either gradually decay or are damaged through poor storage.
Some of the biggest destroyers of photographs are:
1. Dust, moisture and light from poor storage
2. Damage from fire and flood
3. Marks and tears from mishandling by family and children
4. Loss from lending to family and friends
5. Damage by vermin such as rats, mice and other pests
6. Degradation due to cheap processing
Once the damage is done, you really have the choice of restoration - if that is still possible - or forgetting them. Of course, with our experience in restoration processes, we strongly advise this. Something, usually, is salvageable - you would be surprised.
Of course, preventing the damage - or at least further damage - is the best step. There are a number of things that you can do to achieve this. Just reading through the above list will give some ideas.
Few people are able to prevent floods or fire. Bushfire, in Australia especially, is an almost constant threat to photographs. You could purchase a dedicated fire safe, rated to protect photographs and negatives - many of which will also protect against water damage.
Some albums are still not acid-free which can also lead to damage. This is often the case with the old plastic paged albums from the 70s and 80s.
Then, of course, there is damage caused through ’friendly fire’ - in other words, the wear and tear that they experience when family and friends are viewing them. Even in an album they are not safe - precious family photos are often inexpertly removed from albums causing damage to the album and, more importantly, to the photographs. All assuming, of course, that you ever get them back from Aunty Maudie who subsequently and emphatically denies ever having them.
Despite living in the 21st Century, damage from rodents and insects also remains a problem, especially with the elderly who are still inclined to leave them in a box in the loft, or at the back of a cupboard. Sadly, even insect sprays themselves can cause damage.
The worst of all this is that it is not just some old holiday snap that is at risk - it is your life, your history - your heritage. It is valuable and it is irreplaceable.
+ I have thousands of slides - can you help CHEAPLY?
Our transfer process is extremely good value for money - but unless you are a millionaire, a thousand slides is still going to cost a considerable sum.
So what is the answer?
You could buy a slide scanner and do the whole job yourself. That's a good economical option, assuming that you buy a good scanner that is easy to use - and actually get around to using it.
Another option is to RENT a scanner from us. Not only will you get one that delivers excellent quality in a simple, easy-to-use package, but you are much more likely to actually get down and start scanning because the sooner you finish, the more you save.
+ Can you transfer slides to DVD?
Yes! YES! AND you can choose either to view them on your television OR to take them along to the local print-shop and get them printed.
When we scan your slides we also apply some basic restoration so that they look as good as you remember them!
And if you elect for a slideshow, we can even add some appropriate background music to increase your enjoyment.
Those dusty old slides in the cupboard could come back to life - and bring with them your history, your heritage - your story.
+ Can you create slideshows from photographs or slides?
We certainly can!
First we scan your slides and apply some basic restoration to bring back the colour and contrast that they enjoyed when first taken. This includes elementary removal of any obvious and/or distracting scratches or marks.
Then we use a combination of zooms, fades and pans to bring the slideshow to life. This is important - most transfers perform these transitions arbitrarily but we don't. Each zoom in focuses your attention, each zoom out reveals some greater picture. Your slideshow should tell a story.
We can even add some appropriate background music to aid your enjoyment.
+ Can you take people out of photographs?
In most cases we can. We'd need to quote you because every photograph is different but generally it is a relatively painful process.
+ Can you mix photographs together?
Someone misisng from the picture who should have been there? Or did they have their eyes shut at the crucial point? It can be fixed! We can lift portions of different photographs, merge photographs - just talk to us about what you need.
+ Is the humble photo album dead?
The photo album is dead. Long live the photo album!
In short, it is not dead but changed.
Unlike a DVD or photo album, commemorative books come in all shapes and sizes and are a wonderful memento to celebrate the lives of those you love. They are a keepsake that will be handed down through the generations – a testament to family and friends, to the value and the importance of the past, to love and life.
Of course, with all family history it is important to share it. Getting a single photobook (or commemorative book) printed is like putting all your eggs in one basket. If anything happens to that book - it gets lost, destroyed, marked etc - you could be left empty handed.
Most photobook publishers - and we especially - can print off additional copies, and it is worth doing. Best practice is one for yourselves and one each for the kids. But don’t stop there - have one stored safely in the bank too.
When we create these items, we endeavour to retain the ability to reprint them for you at a later date - where possible without additional archive costs. We believe that your memories are precious and treat them that way.
