1. How do you
restore my photos?
2. What kind of
restoration can you do? What can't you do?
3. How should I
send my pictures to you? Can I send scans?
4. Are my pictures
in danger of any additional damage?
5. How long before
I receive my restored photos?
6. How much will
my restoration cost? How do I pay you?
7. What
instructions should I send with my pictures?
8. What kind of
prints will I receive?
9. How can I see
or use the photos on the archive CD?
10. What do I do if my photo
is copyrighted?
11.
What is your Privacy Policy for any information I give you?
12. How do I get in touch with
CHSTUDIOS' Photos?
1. HOW DO YOU RESTORE MY PHOTOS?
We digitize your photos (or other source documents) by scanning the image on
a high-resolution scanner and saving the resulting digital file on a computer.
We then retouch or restore the digital file using photo-editing software. An
archival-quality digital print is printed on glossy or matte paper (your choice)
and the file is saved in three different versions on a CD. The print, CD, and
your unaltered original photos are then sent back to you.
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2. WHAT KIND OF RESTORATION CAN YOU DO? WHAT
CAN'T YOU DO?
That depends on two things: what you ask us to do and the condition of your
original images. (See the descriptions of our Basic and Optional Services.)
We can enhance faded and darkened pictures. We can repair tears and cracks,
clean up dirt and specks, sharpen and brighten poor originals. We can recreate
(to a limited extent) missing details, correct color casts from fading color
prints, colorize black-and-white originals, and "antique" color photos by
converting them to black & white, sepiatone, or hand-colored pictures.
Small or low resolution pictures can't be enlarged too much without losing sharpness or
becoming too grainy. Similarly, very grainy originals can only be improved to a
limited extent. But there are some great looking Digital Fine Art
applications that can be tried that usually turn out fine for these types of small and low resolution photos.
Pictures that are out of focus can't be brought into focus.
Missing elements can be restored only to the extent that we have visual
references to build from. If you have a similar second photo that shows details,
please include it.
We can improve poor originals, but not make them perfect. The better the
original the better the reproduction.
We can't scan and alter copyrighted photos unless you send written permission
from the copyright holder (usually the photo studio) with your photos.
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3. HOW SHOULD I SEND MY PICTURES TO YOU? CAN
I SEND SCANS?
You should seal and package your originals carefully so no damage can occur
during shipment. Please see our Shipping
Instructions for details.
If you are not comfortable mailing your original photos, we can work from
your scanned files. See our Do-It-Yourself Scanning page for detailed instructions on
preparing your files. Transmit the files to us with our Order
Form. It might take a while to transmit the files over a modem connection,
so send files individually. We can usually get better results from our own scans
of faded and damaged photos, but we will use your scans if you prefer. Most home
scanners can't capture enough detail, so we prefer to scan those kinds of originals ourselves.
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4. ARE MY PICTURES IN DANGER OF ANY
ADDITIONAL DAMAGE?
Our scanning procedure poses no risk of damage to your originals; all our
restoration work is done on the digital file made from the scan. Please pack
your originals very carefully so there's no possibility of damage during
shipment.
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5. HOW LONG BEFORE I RECEIVE MY RESTORED
PHOTOS?
Once we receive your package, normal turnaround time is three to five days
for JPG prints, two weeks for Basic Service, and three weeks for most Optional
Services, depending on the services requested. Please allow more time in the
holiday season (October through December). There will be a fee added for Rush Orders.
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6. HOW MUCH WILL MY PHOTO RESTORATION COST?
HOW DO I PAY YOU?
It depends on how much you want us to do. See our Pricing Page
for specifics.
We can accept your payment by credit card through Pay Pal... Any money order, cashiers checks or personal checks (all in US funds) must clear the bank before any work begins. (This is a precautionary step that we take because of the growning attempts at passing counterfiet forms of payment. If you're ordering only our Basic Service, your cost is based on the number of pictures (in groups of 10 or less) you are sending plus shipping costs. If you're requesting any Optional Services, we'll email you the total cost when we send verification of receipt of your package. If paying by money order, cashier check or personal check, please mail it so it is received and cleared so we can get started on your order. If you pay by Pay Pal credit card, we will charge your card on the day your package is shipped.
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7. WHAT INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD I SEND WITH MY
PICTURES?
If you are mailing your photos, please use the Print Order Form, giving us
contact information, number of images in the package, payment information, and
detailed instructions for services desired. If you are emailing us, please use the Printed Order Form as a guide for the information you need to include via your email. Please provide thorough instructions for each original that requires an Optional Service. The more detailed the instructions you provide, the better we
can meet your expectations. Please identify the correct image (e.g., two people
on porch swing) when giving individual instructions. Any original (photo, drawing, or document) with no written instructions will be treated as a Basic Service image: scanned, sharpened and brightened slightly, cropped for a
clean appearance, printed, and saved to CD in three formats. Please do not write instructions on the back of the originals; the impression of your handwriting can damage the emulsion on the photo, the ink/pencil lead can corode the original photo or the writing can transfer to another photo in contact with it. Tape can be damaging to your original photos. Stickies can fall off or get shifted, so they're not recommended either.
RESTORATION: Indicate Light, Heavy, or Extreme for the degree of work needed.
If you're not sure, we can tell you how much restoration is possible for an
image. If there are specific areas that you want enhanced -- or areas to tone
down -- please provide descriptions. We can also work within your pricing
guidelines to restore an image within your budget.
COLORIZING: Please be specific if you have color preferences and give all
details needed regarding hair and skin tone, clothing and background. Make sure
you tell us if you want a color original converted to black-and-white, or a
sepiatone image made from a black-and-white.
Digital Fine Art Applications: Indicate any preferred style, or let us suggest what style is most
suited to your picture. For examples see our Photo Gallery
COMPOSITE: Provide detailed instructions. Make sure to indicate individuals
to be cut or added to the picture, the primary source picture, and additional
source pictures. For missing details, please send any similar pictures you have
to help the reconstruction.
COLLAGE: Note which is the primary picture, any preference in cropping or
arrangement. Also give any color preferences for the background. We'll send a
sketch for approval before completing the image.
POSTER: Specify what size poster you want in advance.
SPECIAL EVENTS, FAMILY TREE, DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKS: Please provide as complete a
description as possible, including captions and photo groupings. We'll contact
you for further clarification. We'll also send a sketch for approval before
completing the project.
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8. WHAT KIND OF PRINTS WILL I
RECEIVE?
Since our work is done in a digital format on computer, rather than in a
traditional darkroom with processing chemicals, we print out pictures on special
six-color digital photo printers. The papers we use are archival-quality photo
papers. Choose glossy or matte photo paper. Framed and displayed with normal
care and out of direct sunlight, our prints should last more than 20 years
without fading or discoloring.
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9. HOW CAN I SEE OR USE THE PHOTOS ON THE
ARCHIVE CD?
CH Studios' Photos provides a CD archive of all photos ordered through the Basic
Service package, or as an option with other orders. Each image is saved on the
CD in 3 versions: 1 Web-ready file to email or post; 1 desktop-quality file to
print from your computer; and 1 professional-quality file for publication. The
low-resolution JPG web file can be attached to your email messages and shared
with family and friends. With an inkjet printer and photo-quality paper, you can
make duplicates of your prints from the medium-resolution desktop RGB TIF file,
or you can place and print the images in your word-processing documents. The
high-resolution CMYK TIF file can be submitted to and printed in professional
publications. An archive of 20 or more images includes an HTML preview file,
allowing the photos to be viewed with any browser software.
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10. WHAT DO I DO IF MY PHOTO IS
COPYRIGHTED?
CH Studios' Photos will not scan copyrighted photographs or documents without
the written permission of the copyright holder. If your original image has a
copyright symbol, it is your responsibility to obtain a Release Waiver signed by
the copyright holder allowing the original to be reproduced. The Release Waiver
must accompany any copyrighted original that you send to CH Studios' Photos for
reproduction. If the copyright holder is either no longer in business or cannot
be located, please provide your signed statement indicating that you are unable
to locate the copyright holder and that you will be solely responsible for the
images to be reproduced. CH Studios' Photos will not be responsible for copyright
infringement.
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11. WHAT IS YOUR PRIVACY POLICY?
CH Studios' Photos does not share your information with anyone. Since we keep a
backup of all our restorations, your information is archived with the backup of
your files for our reference only. Because we use Pay Pal, we do not keep any credit card
information on file; if you reorder anything you will need to provide again any payment
information with your order. Pay Pal is safe and easy to sign up for...
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12. HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH WITH CHSTUDIOS' PHOTOS?
The best way to reach us is by e-mail:
EMAIL Costello Hinchey Fine Art Studios
Or call
276-944-3468, or write: CHSTUDIOS' PHOTOS,
28320 POOR VALLEY ROAD,
SALTVILLE VIRGINIA 24370
We'd be happy to answer any specific questions you may have about your
pictures. Please email us with ideas or special requests. And remember, we will be happy to work within your budget!
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