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Issues with photos fading started with photograpy itself.  Concerns date back at least as far as the Photographic Society of London’s “Fading Committee” of 1855. 

Generally, most of the photos we are concerned with are not that old! We’re speaking of photos aged from around 1936, that’s when Kodachrome film for 35mm slides was introduced, to near 1990 – these are the photos that are most susceptible. 

Varying forms of a chromogenic process was used to print these photos. All that really means is that the surface of the photo paper didn’t have the necessay dyes to ensure the colors were created correctly. So that, the process relied on checmical reactions to develop the dyes while the processing was happening. And it is the combination of dyes — typically, cyan (blue), magenta (red), and yellow — that creates the final colors we see in a color photo.

Fading is reality:

Unfortunately, these dyes — that is, these chemical reactions — are inherently unstable. As a matter of fact, they began to shift as soon as the photo was developed! When you add light (almost ANY kind of light) the process happens even faster. Now you know why film packages have disclaimers on them telling you that the colors may fade.

Typically, there are two effects:

1. detail is lost, highlights in particular.
2. a color shift. The photo will change to appear to have a slightly green-like look. This is due to the magenta dye changing first, it is much more sensitive than the others.

There have been a lot of chromgenic applications used to make prints over the past 50 years. As the work of image permanence pioneer Henry Wilhelm has shown, these approaches do vary widely in terms of potential image permanence. However, the unfortunate conclusion to all of this research is that, the most widely used process, Ektacolor, can be seen to be of the most consist in have significant issues with exposure to light. 

For photos that have faded:

Prior to the availability of a photo scanning service and digital photography software, if your photos were faded you were largely out of luck. A big thanks for technology!

Once an image is scanned it can be digitally manipulated to reduce that faded look. However, if your photos are severely faded, it can be challenging to bring them back to life — so it’s definitely in your interest to hurry.

Other concerns to be addressed when correcting your photos;

Color shift:

…the fading that happens in the dark. Color photos, slides, and negatives decompose even in the absence of light. There are ways to slow the process.

Scratches:

…the invisible enemy. All of these forms of photograhic imagery are easily scratched and very susceptible to abrasion. We can suggest some ways to prevent it from happening.

Disaster happens:

…why your photos aren’t that safe at home. Beyond the inevitable deterioration of your photos, there’s another risk: disaster might strike. Sometimes the disaster is called “pets” or “kids”, these (and others) are nonetheless a genuine threat. Some are more likely and our research can tell you with which to be the most concerned.

Wanna Do it yourself?

Some things to consider…If you want to scan and repair your own photos, you’re a brave person, since it’s not easy and a really big commitment.  However, we do have some advice for those hardy souls.

If you are considering having old photos scanned, restored and/or preserved, you have alot to think about.

All photo scanning services utilizes their own methodology to get your old pictures to the point where they can be printed with a ‘refreshed’ look. The process utilizes unique software that correlates the old colors to a standard, makes its correction and returns scenes that are much more vibrant.

 A digitally engineered level of color comparison-matching allows the software work to a predetermined level of correction. And more often than not, they can deliver a pretty nice result.

When you compare your original to ANY photo scanning service’ completed work, their results should always be an improvement, but don’t compare their work to real life (you may not be happy).

This is where the differences in scanning services comes into play. There are MANY photo scan service companies out there, however, there are just a few that take it the extra step.

There is a difference in “how” and a difference in “why”. You want a photo scanning service that attempts to preserve your memories, and approaches your work just that way. That approach transforms the entire methodolgy. If you want a photo to look life-like, there is no substitution for the human eye.

Most services can compete with each other on the basis of the physical equipment that is used and the software that is employed, very few finish that equation with a human making the final corrections. When you have a live person making the final decision on how each and every of your photo looks, you are in the right place and you can find just such a service HERE.

When you go to check out, you will find all the options you need – they even have gift cards. Credit card are accepted and payment is processed on a secured, encrypted site.

Issues with photos fading started with photograpy itself.  Concerns date back at least as far as the Photographic Society of London’s “Fading Committee” of 1855. 

Generally, most of the photos we are concerned with are not that old! We’re speaking of photos aged from around 1936, that’s when Kodachrome film for 35mm slides was introduced, to near 1990 – these are the photos that are most susceptible. 

Varying forms of a chromogenic process was used to print these photos. All that really means is that the surface of the photo paper didn’t have the necessay dyes to ensure the colors were created correctly. So that, the process relied on checmical reactions to develop the dyes while the processing was happening. And it is the combination of dyes — typically, cyan (blue), magenta (red), and yellow — that creates the final colors we see in a color photo.

Fading is reality:

Unfortunately, these dyes — that is, these chemical reactions — are inherently unstable. As a matter of fact, they began to shift as soon as the photo was developed! When you add light (almost ANY kind of light) the process happens even faster. Now you know why film packages have disclaimers on them telling you that the colors may fade.

Typically, there are two effects:

1. detail is lost, highlights in particular.
2. a color shift. The photo will change to appear to have a slightly green-like look. This is due to the magenta dye changing first, it is much more sensitive than the others.

There have been a lot of chromgenic applications used to make prints over the past 50 years. As the work of image permanence pioneer Henry Wilhelm has shown, these approaches do vary widely in terms of potential image permanence. However, the unfortunate conclusion to all of this research is that, the most widely used process, Ektacolor, can be seen to be of the most consist in have significant issues with exposure to light. 

For photos that have faded:

Prior to the availability of a photo scanning service and digital photography software, if your photos were faded you were largely out of luck. A big thanks for technology!

Once an image is scanned it can be digitally manipulated to reduce that faded look. However, if your photos are severely faded, it can be challenging to bring them back to life — so it’s definitely in your interest to hurry.

Other concerns to be addressed when correcting your photos;

Color shift:

…the fading that happens in the dark. Color photos, slides, and negatives decompose even in the absence of light. There are ways to slow the process.

Scratches:

…the invisible enemy. All of these forms of photograhic imagery are easily scratched and very susceptible to abrasion. We can suggest some ways to prevent it from happening.

Disaster happens:

…why your photos aren’t that safe at home. Beyond the inevitable deterioration of your photos, there’s another risk: disaster might strike. Sometimes the disaster is called “pets” or “kids”, these (and others) are nonetheless a genuine threat. Some are more likely and our research can tell you with which to be the most concerned.

Wanna Do it yourself?

Some things to consider…If you want to scan and repair your own photos, you’re a brave person, since it’s not easy and a really big commitment.  However, we do have some advice for those hardy souls.

If you are considering having old photos scanned, restored and/or preserved, you have alot to think about.

All photo scanning services utilizes their own methodology to get your old pictures to the point where they can be printed with a ‘refreshed’ look. The process utilizes unique software that correlates the old colors to a standard, makes its correction and returns scenes that are much more vibrant.

 A digitally engineered level of color comparison-matching allows the software work to a predetermined level of correction. And more often than not, they can deliver a pretty nice result.

When you compare your original to ANY photo scanning service’ completed work, their results should always be an improvement, but don’t compare their work to real life (you may not be happy).

This is where the differences in scanning services comes into play. There are MANY photo scan service companies out there, however, there are just a few that take it the extra step.

There is a difference in “how” and a difference in “why”. You want a photo scanning service that attempts to preserve your memories, and approaches your work just that way. That approach transforms the entire methodolgy. If you want a photo to look life-like, there is no substitution for the human eye.

Most services can compete with each other on the basis of the physical equipment that is used and the software that is employed, very few finish that equation with a human making the final corrections. When you have a live person making the final decision on how each and every of your photo looks, you are in the right place and you can find just such a service HERE.

When you go to check out, you will find all the options you need – they even have gift cards. Credit card are accepted and payment is processed on a secured, encrypted site.

Special memories of your parents have no doubt been captured in the past, which may include you in your younger years . On your part, you too would have clicked countless photos as you would have morphed into adulthood . However , there is limited life for negatives and photos , and if you want future generations to enjoy these memories photos should be digitized for preservation purposes. Because time can be a big obstacle , you can utilize reliable slide scanning services to do an efficient job of imprinting your memories in digital form on CDs and DVDs .

Fading can occur over time to photos on paper. Paper can sustain damage from termites, water, or even fire , or when moving could be misplaced . Of course , instead of having regrets when you can't even point out the grandparents or you're unable to find a favorite family member in a picture, photos should be digitized and convert them to computer files that can be stored on CDs, DVDs or on your computer hard-disk . Much time would be taken up trying to do this photo by photo, and this is where the services of slide scanning companies come into the picture .

There are several slide scanning services companies that also are on the web. You can find good companies in your area that can take in the stacks of photos and negatives, and even home-movies recorded on film or video-cassettes before converting them into digital form . It's a good idea to get good referrals on a company before you just give them all those memories that are so important . Any company you choose should store your photos in a storage facility that is safe before they get sorted, scanned in, and converted to your medium of choice, such as DVDs or CDs.

Slide scanning services can provide you with restoration of damaged photos so they look beautiful once again . The photos should be converted into the JPEG form or other forms of files that can be accessed without any problems . You should also compare the rates between various companies but lower price should not be the sole criteria since you don't want low resolution results but high quality work. Some companies will also help in sorting and organizing your photos in specific folders for easy viewing , but it will cost more . Albums that are plastic without PVC should be used by you for your photos, and that they use acid free paper to separate your priceless photos . All these steps will ensure longer life for your photos until they are put into digital form.

Technological advances should be taken advantage of to have them scanned and converted to digital forms that will provide new life for your old photos . The use of the right slide scanning services provider will ensure that important memories are converted to digital forms in reasonable timeframes and for a good deal . Ensure various copies of the memories are put in various areas so you can pass your legacy on, even while you are remembering all those memories looking at your PC.