We are sometimes asked to restore an actual physical photograph (photograph preservation) as opposed to restoring a digital scan of the same photograph.
Photograph preservation can improve a photograph, image quality is not usually the primary purpose. Conservators will try to improve the overall visual appearance, but they would find it impossible to match what can be achieved by digital restoration. Because of the knowledge and skill and time required to carry out the physical preservation, the cost is likely to be prohibitive.
Digital restoration has many advantages including:
- Preservation of the original photograph
- Prevention from further deterioration
- Eliminating scratches, blemishes, tears, folds and fading
- Increase in the level of detail and enhancement of facial detail
- Prints of any size can be made and shared
- The ease of storage of digital files, also able to be shared
