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 DejaView 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 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.
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 Email 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 on slides, negatives and glass plate negatives, 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).
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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 or by money order (in US funds). Sorry, we don't accept checks. 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, please mail it so it is received before we are ready to ship your package. If you pay by 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 files, use the Email Order Form.
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, slide, negative, 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, or the writing can transfer to another photo in contact with it. 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.
PAINTING: Indicate any preferred style, or let us suggest what style is most suited to your picture.
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.
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?
DejaView 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?
DejaView 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 DejaView 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. DejaView Photos will not be responsible for copyright infringement.
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11. WHAT IS YOUR PRIVACY POLICY?
DejaView 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. However, we do not keep any credit card information on file; if you reorder anything you will need to provide payment information with your order.
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12. HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH WITH DEJAVIEW PHOTOS?
The best way to reach us is by e-mail: info@dejaviewphotos.com
Or call 508.435.6404 , fax 508.435.9897, or write:
DEJAVIEW PHOTOS, 48 WALCOTT VALLEY, HOPKINTON, MA 01748-1402
We'd be happy to answer any specific questions you may have about your pictures. Please email us with ideas or special requests.
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