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Archive for Photo Restoration

Robin’s Solution to ‘Lest We Forget’

13 March 2025

Our customer Robin has a very striking story behind this photograph he took during a visit to Auschwitz about 10 years ago and asked us to restore….

Here’s his story:

“The photograph was taken approximately 10 years in the Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp (just outside of Krakow).

The image is of Kazimierz Budzinski – who entered the camp on 24.04.1942 and was executed on 27.05.1942.

There was a galleried corridor in the camp adorned with images of inmates – his image struck me hard and I stopped for what seemed some time and examined it…examined his expression and his eyes….there was a look of abandonment and fear. I took the photo and kept it. I took this photograph because I wanted to make sure he and his tragic plight would never be forgotten.

Years later I asked Photographs Forever to preserve it and print it for me – which they did brilliantly and it now adorns a space on the wall in my kitchen. Friends et al who visit ask who he is – and by asking – its ‘job done’ because he has not been forgotten.

I subsequently had his number tattooed on my left forearm – exactly as it appeared on his left breast side and it reminds me of him as well as what we are capable, as humans, of doing. People ask about the tattoo and its significance – and again it serves its purpose well – he has not been forgotten.”

Hopefully by adding this to our blog it will be seen by many more people and will continue to reinforce Robin’s dedication to preserving the memory of this man who represents a huge number of people who suffered a similar fate during the Second World War.

Tags : Auschwitz, Kazimierz Budzinski, Krakow, Photo Editing, photo repair, photo restoring, photograph editing, photograph manipulation, photograph repair, Photograph Restoration, Photograph restoring, Photograph Retouching, restoration, Restoring Your Old Photographs

The Appearance of John Kempster’s Photo Album of The Titanic

Posted by Richard Haines on

11 March 2025

Stephen Raffield contacted us a while ago as he had managed to obtain a wonderful intact photograph album put together by John Kempster complete with not only his holiday photographs but also some historic and unique images of the Titanic.

Here is the story of the album as told by Stephen:

“John Kempster joined Harland and Wolff, Belfast in 1900 and was appointed a managing director in 1906 in charge of the electrical plant. Kempster became involved in the construction and launch of both Olympic and Titanic. He was also a very keen photographer and in 2012 an album of photographs taken and developed by him came to light.

A lady walked into a Wiltshire auction house and asked if the album she was holding was worth anything. As well as a number of photographs of the Kempster’s family holiday in America in 1911 the album contained stunning, never seen before, photos of Olympic leaving Belfast for her maiden voyage and also the launch of Titanic and her own departure from Belfast for the first and last time. The photographs are of exquisite quality and finely detailed. The initial plan of the auctioneers was to break up the album and sell off the photographs singly or in small batches. Steve and Jane Raffield, collectors of Titanic memorabilia, were able to negotiate the purchase of the whole album so that this unique record of both Olympic and Titanic at Belfast would be preserved for the future. Photographs Forever digitalised the photos earlier this year in preparation for the album and selected photos to go into exhibition.

The original Kempster album

The album, photos and the rest of the Raffield Collection are currently on display in Brisbane, Australia.”

This is an article written by Stephen’s son Tom for the Atlantic Daily Bulletin – Autumn 2024, explaining the story in greater detail. Many of these historic photographs can be seen in the article.

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Historic and Fascinating Circus Photograph at Wembley 100 Years Ago

Posted by Richard Haines on

7 March 2025

Our customer Clive visited some time ago and brought one of the most fascinating photographs I have seen since I started restoring photographs in 2009. Not only is the quality of the original photograph stunning, the detail contained in the photograph is amazing and you can see some close up details below. This is Clive’s story:

“So here’s a little bit of a back story on the photo that you restored for me and the family. “The Stadium”

The first time I ever set eyes on the photo I was about 6 years old and my father Bruce was arguing with one of his uncles (Neil Cooke) who wanted to sell the photo to which my father was quite annoyed and gave him £100 saying sold (this was about 1980).

As my sister and I grew up the photo hung in the dining room of my parents house and for many years it would get admired from time to time when the room was used. my Grandmother Ouida Monica Cooke pointed out to us that her father (my great grandfather) Leon Douglas Cooke was one of the 5 ringmasters standing in the centre, (he is second in from the left Top hat on and white waistcoat showing) his wife Iona Cooke (Formally Ginnett’s) is sitting rather sternly on the horse to the left of the photo (4th in from the left, Black jacket, right arm on hip).

The photo was taken at The British Empire Stadium (Now named Wembley Stadium) some time between 22nd June and 15th August 1925.

For the film lovers among you, the opening scene of the film “THE KING’S SPEECH” starring Colin Firth as King George VI giving his first ever public speech opening the British Empire Exhibition.

The original photo had some minor damage and had also started to fade due to light, I knew that I wanted to get this scanned and digitally preserved but also restored as best as possible and I wasn’t prepared to let any happy snaps have a go, It was with this in mind that I began my search, coming across Richard at Photographs forever (from an online search) and after meeting him I was more than happy to let him do his thing and what a wonderful job he did.

Thank you Richard I will be forever grateful for your work.”

Here are some small sections of this amazing photograph

Robertson and Ginnett’s Gigantic Circus was a significant attraction at the British Empire Exhibition held at Wembley Stadium in 1925. This circus was part of the exhibition’s second season, which opened in May 1925 after considerable debate due to the financial challenges faced in the previous year.

The circus featured an impressive spectacle inspired by the famous chariot races held in the Circus Maximus of ancient Rome. Organized by Messrs Ginnett and Robertson, these races involved 400-500 performers in each event, creating a grand and thrilling experience for the audience.

The Ginnett family had a long history in the circus business, with their involvement dating back to the early 1800s. John Frederick Ginnett, a notable circus proprietor, was known for owning a popular circus during his time.

The British Empire Exhibition of 1925, which hosted the Gigantic Circus, was a significant event that aimed to develop imperial trade connections and foster closer political ties between Britain and its territories. Despite the financial challenges faced in the previous year, the exhibition reopened in 1925, partly in an attempt to recoup the government’s investment.

The inclusion of Robertson and Ginnett’s Gigantic Circus at this prestigious event underscores the importance of circus entertainment in early 20th-century British culture and its role in showcasing spectacle and skill at international exhibitions.

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Original Photograph Restored and Enlarged Over 15x

Posted by Richard Haines on

4 March 2025

We recently restored a small 10cm photograph from Ross Howard. It was a photograph of two men and Ross required a new photograph with just one of the men so that it could be printed life size.

The picture below shows the comparative size.

Here is Ross’s story:

“We run a yoga ashram in Southampton called The Yoga Sanctuary. The man in the photo is Swami Yogeshwar Ananda Saraswati, the guru in our lineage, known affectionately to us as Guruji. Guruji left his body in 1985 and I don’t expect there is picture of such detail (and size!) anywhere on the planet. Hence we are truly grateful, Photographs Forever’s work has meant a lot to all of the community here.

“The original photo was retrieved from an ashram in Rishikesh, India.

Swami Yogeshwarananda left home at 14 for a life of renunciation. He found his way to the Himalayas of North India and Tibet where he practiced severe Yogic disciplines for many years. Through this, he became an adept master and began teaching the wisdom of Yoga, setting up several ashrams across northern India. The Sanctuary’s roots stretch back to when our teacher (Steve Harrison) made contact with Guruji at his ashram in Rishikesh. Guruji left his body in 1985 but continues to inspire the work we do here at the Sanctuary to this day.

On a recent trip to the Rishikesh ashram last December we uncovered some photographs that hadn’t seen the light of day for many years. We brought them back to the UK to make digital copies and decided to get one blown up to life-size to display in our Yoga Shala. A few years back Photographs Forever had enhanced another picture of Guruji that we were also able to get blown up in size so we knew they were the right people for the job!

We couldn’t be happier with the result. It is like he is standing in front of you in life-like detail. I expect this is the biggest and highest quality photo of Guruji anywhere on the earth and it will cherished by the whole community here for many years to come.”

Here is the website of the sanctuary : www.yogasanctuary.co.uk

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Tags : Guruji, India, Photo Editing, photo repair, photo restoring, Photo Retouching, photograph editing, photograph manipulation, photograph repair, Photograph Restoration, Photograph restoring, Restoring Your Old Photographs, Rishikesh, Southampton, Swami Yogeshwar Ananda Saraswati, The Yoga Sanctuary, Yoga, Yoga Shala

The Magic of Photograph Restoration – and a Perfect Gift

Posted by Richard Haines on

1 March 2025

As a family, we know just how hard it can be to find unique gift ideas each year. That’s why we want to remind you of the magic of photo restoration and colourisation. Every photo collection holds the power to transport us back to meaningful moments in time…

Behind every photo is someone who chose to capture that moment. We’re here to restore those moments, so you can enjoy them as they were meant to be.

Unfortunately, physical photos deteriorate over time, and because it happens gradually, we often don’t notice until the damage is severe…

Whether it’s a wedding day or a loved one who’s no longer with us, photos bring a flood of emotions. This connection to family, friends, pets, and places, and the chance to relive special moments, is truly priceless.

Choosing which photos to restore can be daunting, especially for someone else. Our Gift Vouchers make it simple – available in any value and valid for any of our services. Let your loved one decide which photos to restore, while you give a meaningful gift without the stress.

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Tags : Hampshire, Kent, leading photo restoration, Photo Editing, photo magic, photo repair, photo restoration gift vouchers, Photo Retouching, photograph manipulation, photograph repair, Photograph Restoration, Photograph restoring, Photograph Retouching, restoration, Restoring Your Old Photographs, Richard Haines, Surrey, Sussex, top photo trestoration company

The Fascinating History of Nutley Motor Services Premises

Posted by Richard Haines on

28 February 2025

During the last five years we have restored many historic photographs which capture the local history of our village. Nigel is the owner of Nutley Motor Services and he is fascinated by the history of the buildings that are now his premises. So he asked us to restore and frame many of these photographs to display in his main reception area.

This is Nigel’s story:

Well Richard, those amazing photos that we got you to restore and that you somehow managed to work your magic on have a very interesting history attached to them.

There were three key extremely wealthy people back in the late 1800’s that basically pretty much owned most of the land and properties in and around the Nutley and Sheffield Park area. Lady Castle Stewart, who owned the Old Lodge and a large chunk of the Ashdown Forest, John Nettlefold (junior), who owned the Chelwood Vachery up on the Forest, his land went right across to Chelwood Gate, and Albert Turner senior and Albert Turner junior who owned Sheffield Saw Mills, are the people where the main pieces of the jigsaw back in the day and what a rich pattern of life was to unfold.

The Turners were felling down huge areas of forest in around Sheffield Park and the surrounding area, preparing the timber and transporting it to London by rail from Sheffield Park, now known as the Bluebell Railway. As time went by, they found that they had to go further afield to find more timber, which added to the cost of transporting it back to Sheffield Park to send on to London.

That’s where these photographs, that you kindly did for Nutley Motor Services reception area display come into play.

Albert Turner junior, being young and enthusiastic, with grand ideas, stumbles across a large pond in Nutley, Perfect he thought for running his newly acquired steam engines for sawing up the timber in and around the Nutley area, so he acquired the land for a small fee, but would have been a reasonable amount of money back then. He purchased which is now the A22, the land from the A22 and out to Nether Lane and down to Fords Green Nutley, the A22 was just a dirt/mud track back then.

He then built the buildings, now know has Nutley Motor Services on the edge of the pond, as the photographs now show in NMS reception. Hence it was from then on known as the Timber Yard.

Over the years he built his managers and some of his senior employees, foresters’ cottages on the surrounding land around the Timber yard.

Then came his biggest hurdle, his grand idea!

Which is one of the main reasons that he purchased the Timber Yard land and was to apply to have a railway line run across the Ashdown Forest to Edenbridge, so as to ship his freshly cut and sawn timber from the rich forests of Nutley to London.

It’s amazing when you think about it, people come and go, buildings and business disappear, or the buildings are altered, like Nutley Motor Services, Mid Sussex Garage of Chelwood Gate, not to mention how many pubs have been turned into dwellings over the years.

If it wasn’t for photographs, this history would be lost for good!

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A Picture Brought Back to Life: The Story of PC Austwick

Posted by Richard Haines on

30 January 2025

The Murder of PC Austwick (1855-1861)

It’s said that every picture does tell a story. But for me, the story was minus the picture until I found the excellent team at Photographs Forever.

It was while researching facts about two WW1 soldiers from my village of Lumby, in North Yorkshire that I came across the story of a local policeman who was shot and murdered by a miner.

PC Alfred Austwick was born in Lumby in 1855. Our village is a place invariably described as a “slumbering hamlet” of about forty houses. Little has changed since Austwick’s days other than the “thatched cotts” have long gone only to be replaced by barn conversions and new builds but the village still retains its essential charm and peaceful location. Laurel Farm, where PC Austwick’s father and brother worked, no longer deals in livestock as it once did, but is still a functioning arable farm.

The British Newspaper Archive is a fascinated treasure of facts and I discovered that the murder, which took place about 30 miles away, in Dodworth, near Barnsley, became a national scandal as the man responsible, James Murphy, an itinerant miner with a previous criminal record for burglary and poaching had, after the shooting in the grounds of the Traveller’s Inn, gone on the run for several weeks. The written style of language is ornate, compared with today, beautifully descriptive and in and amongst the facts I found that several reporters were still intent, even then, on seeking out the salacious gossip!

Over the last few months, I have collated and edited features and articles to build an elaborate picture of what happened. I was fascinated by how entrenched Christianity was in every area of the lives of people at that time, how fair a trial Murphy received, how there was much compassion for his family and how prison authorities took great care of him. His relatives were afforded expenses to visit him, he was given the best meat and a chaplain visited him daily. The death sentence hanged over him but all attempts were made to overturn it.

Beyond the press research I also spent several days in the village of Dodworth and their library – and have been hugely enabled by a retired historian/miner, Steven Wyatt who took time out of his busy life to show me landmarks, to help me understand the area and to help me appreciate what life must have been like then.

Through Steve I was introduced to the owner of the Traveller’s Inn, Jane, who showed me a framed collation of a photocopied newspaper report, Austwick’s whistle and most exciting of all a faded, cut and creased original photo of PC Alfred Austwick, in uniform.

I felt that if I could get the photo restored it would be a fitting image to feature on the cover of the book. After two photographic experts claimed it wasn’t possible to repair and restore I discovered the excellent team at Photographs Forever – Richard, Amy and Luca. Not only did they give me the confidence to send it securely to them, but they were at pains to explain how carefully they would manage it. This was a precious photograph, about 150 years old and it didn’t belong to me. The team’s customer care is as equal in excellence as the brilliant work they do. All through the process I was kept informed from the safe arrival of the photograph to the process that they would undertake, to the secure return.

The result was beyond anything that I could have expected. My faded, armless policeman had been brought back to life – so vividly his eyes seem to engage with mine.

It has been a privilege to remember a man who lost his life so tragically, who left several children without a father and a stricken wife who, at the time of the funeral, was one month pregnant with their sixth child.

PC Austwick’s body was returned to our parish for burial very close to the church gates, and I think of the many hundreds of times I have walked past his grave, never knowing of the story within.

Now, not only can I pay my respects at his graveside, but thanks to the team at Photographs Forever, I can picture the man who did much to help and protect the lives of villagers in Victorian Britain.

The team helped me tell his story and I remain hugely grateful.

Hilary Robinson’s book The Murder of PC Austwick is available to purchase HERE

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Jayne Shrimpton – ‘Photo Detective’ Since the 1980s

Posted by Richard Haines on

1 December 2024

Have you ever wanted to know the date when a particular photograph of your ancestors was taken?

Jayne Shrimpton is the leading expert to help you.

Jayne Shrimpton is a respected fashion historian and author, known for her expertise in historic and vintage fashion. With a keen eye for detail and deep knowledge, Jayne has brought the past to life through her work, analyzing photographs, paintings, and garments to tell the stories behind the clothing of different eras. Her engaging articles and talks reveal how fashion trends reflect broader social and cultural shifts. Jayne’s work captivates history enthusiasts by showing how what we wear connects with who we are and where we come from. Her passion makes history feel relevant and alive, one stitch at a time.

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Ancestry.com – The Perfect Place to Create Your Family History

Posted by Richard Haines on

20 November 2024

Ancestry.com is a leading platform for exploring family history and genealogy, providing a variety of benefits that make it a top choice for individuals wanting to discover their roots.

You can currently have a 14 day free trial so you can see how useful it is for yourself. CLICK HERE

Here are the 15 most compelling reasons for using Ancestry.com:

1. Extensive Historical Records

Ancestry.com boasts billions of records, including birth, marriage, death, census, immigration, military, and more.

The platform provides access to records from numerous countries, making it easier to trace international family connections.

2. User-Friendly Interface

The website is easy to navigate, making it simple for users, even beginners, to start building their family trees and accessing historical data.

Step-by-step hints and suggestions help guide users in finding relevant information without feeling overwhelmed.

3. DNA Testing Services

DNA provides users with an ethnicity breakdown, offering insights into their genetic origins and heritage.

The service connects users with potential relatives based on shared DNA, helping to uncover extended family members and new branches of the family tree.

4. Family Tree Building Tools

The platform offers tools to create detailed family trees that can include photos, stories, and historical records.

Users can collaborate with family members to build and expand their family tree together.

5. Record Hints and Smart Matches

Ancestry.com suggests potential matches and relevant records for individuals in your family tree, simplifying the research process.

This feature helps users quickly discover new information and verify their research with confidence.

6. Educational Resources and Guidance

Ancestry.com offers tutorials, articles, and videos to help users become more proficient in genealogical research.

Users can join forums and groups to get advice and share discoveries with others interested in genealogy.

7. Integration with Historical Context

The platform provides background information on historical events and trends relevant to specific time periods, giving users a richer understanding of their ancestors’ lives.

Maps, old photographs, and newspaper clippings enhance the storytelling aspect of family history.

8. Mobile App Access

The Ancestry mobile app allows users to continue their research from anywhere, making it convenient to access records and update family trees.

Users can scan and upload family photos directly from their smartphones, preserving them digitally.

9. Preservation of Family Heritage

Ancestry.com allows users to compile and preserve their family stories, photos, and documents in one secure place for future generations.

Family trees can be shared with loved ones, ensuring that the collected history is passed down and enjoyed by the entire family.

10. Comprehensive Subscription Plans

Ancestry.com offers various subscription levels, allowing users to choose plans that fit their research needs and budget.

Higher-tier plans provide more extensive access to global records and databases.

11. Access to Original Documents

Users can view original documents and historical images, making the research experience more authentic and trustworthy.

Seeing the actual records can help verify details and provide deeper insights into family history.

12. Support for Adopted Individuals

Ancestry.com can be particularly helpful for those trying to find biological family members through DNA testing and shared matches.

The platform can aid in providing information that leads to emotional closure or a deeper understanding of personal heritage.

13. Continuous Updates and Expansions

Ancestry.com frequently updates its databases and adds new records, ensuring that users have access to the most comprehensive data possible.

The platform invests in improving its tools and features to enhance user experience and research capabilities.

14. Family Stories and Memoirs

Users can add stories and anecdotes about their relatives, keeping memories alive and connecting generations.

Through these stories, users can learn about family traditions, achievements, and challenges.

15. Trust and Reliability

Ancestry.com is one of the most reputable and widely used genealogy sites, trusted by millions of users for its thoroughness and reliability.

The platform places importance on user privacy and data security, giving users confidence in how their information is handled.

In summary, Ancestry.com provides a comprehensive and engaging way to explore and document family history. Whether for casual interest or deep research, it offers tools and resources that make genealogy accessible and fulfilling.

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Tags : ancestry, family, family history, family name history, family search, Family Tree, free family history, Genealogy, genealogy search, my family tree, Photo Editing, photograph manipulation, Photograph restoring, the family tree, tracing family records, uk records

Featured on Sarah Beeny’s Life In The Country

Posted by Richard Haines on

9 November 2024

In Series 3 Episode 5 Sarah Beeny discovers many odd antiques and family heirlooms that have been passed down through generations and decides that the best way to use these findings in their new home is to transform their downstairs cloakroom into a Victorian cupboard of curiosities. That’s where Photographs Forever came in and we were asked to restore some of the deteriorating precious family photographs.

Here’s one as we received it, together with the restored version and below as it appeared actually in situ in the cloakroom.

New Life in the Country is a Channel 4 documentary series starring property expert and TV presenter Sarah Beeny and her family. The show follows Beeny, her husband Graham Swift, and their four sons as they embark on an ambitious project to build a sustainable new home and start a new chapter in the Somerset countryside.

The series documents the Beeny family’s move from London to rural Somerset, where they take on the challenge of building a modern, eco-friendly home on 220 acres of farmland. It captures the highs and lows of creating a new life in the countryside, from construction challenges to the family’s adaptation to a different lifestyle.

The show is a mix of property development, family life, and lifestyle change. It highlights themes of sustainability, self-sufficiency, and the rewards and difficulties of significant life changes.

Throughout the episodes, viewers see various stages of the home’s construction, interior design decisions, and landscaping projects. The show also delves into the family’s day-to-day life, interactions with the local community, and adjustments to country living.

The series has been well-received for its genuine depiction of family life and the beauty of the English countryside. Viewers appreciate Sarah Beeny’s relatable approach and openness about the challenges they face.

Sarah Beeny and Graham Swift’s project reflects their long-held dream of raising their children closer to nature and living a more grounded lifestyle. The documentary provides insights into the balancing act between professional ambition and family priorities.

Overall, New Life in the Country offers an engaging mix of home-building inspiration, personal storytelling, and picturesque rural life that appeals to fans of property shows and lifestyle documentaries.

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Archive for Photo Restoration

The Murder of PC Austwick (1855-1861)

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