Why restore pictures digitally on a computer, instead of going to a photo lab that does the older, traditional method of restoration?
LORIE’S ANSWER: The old style method involves copying the original picture, and then developing a copy negative. This copy negative is then printed, to produce a “work” print. That work print is then given to the retoucher, who will work on that copy instead of the original. The retoucher may use an airbrush, which will give a “sprayed” look in many cases. Or they may use oil paints for a more painted look. This “work print” is copied again, and a print is made from that copy negative. Each time you copy a picture, every step that is removed from the original, depletes quality because you lose detail. There is no way to avoid it with the old, traditional method. With a digital restoration, the photo is copied directly with a scanner, at a high resolution. Then the photo can be viewed and worked on the computer screen. No more copies need to be done with the scanner when the work is done, and it’s ready for printing. You also have the advantage of having your newly restored photo saved
