About

What I DO
I do much more than restore - because for most photographs, mere restoration is not enough. I want the photo to look great, not simply repaired, and work to recreate what the photographer would have seen (in all its glory) but could not capture with the equipment of the day. I want to give you a picture that the photographer would have been proud of.

What I DON'T DO
I do not simply run your photo through an Artificial Intelligence app. AI is remarkable, and I use it; but I don't rely on it because it is far from perfect, makes many mistakes, and there are lots of things it can't do. 

Photograph restorers generally fall into one three groups:

1. Those who will simply repair the damage in a picture (what I call Classical Restoration). OUTCOME: If it's dark or out of focus, it will still be that when they have finished.
2. Those who will run the photo through an AI app, and maybe make some quick tweaks. OUTCOME: You might be lucky, but it's a lottery. The main risk is that AI will alter the faces (the most important part of any photo) so that they don't match the original. But AI can change other details in the image, too; it has a will of its own...
3. Those with traditional restoration skills (acquired before AI came along), who also know how to get the best out of AI and use it skilfully; who have an artist's eye, and are prepared to spend the time that it takes, enabling them to create a beautiful photograph that is both faithful to the original and can be enlarged and look incredible. OUTCOME: Please read the reviews on my website 

How do I know which group a photograph restorer falls into?
You can ask them; you can look at examples of their work. But even then you can't always know. I have had customers come to me because they were disappointed elsewhere (at high street stores and online), sadly after already spending quite a bit of money.

Dr David Mair, on the restoration I performed on his photograph (Nov 2022): It's not possible to convey in words the impact of seeing a tattered, tiny photograph restored to pristine quality - and brought to life in full colour when the original was black and white! Will does an absolutely amazing job, and I think the only word that comes close to conveying my reaction when I saw the work he had done is 'gobsmacked'! Just incredible - tiny details stand out, things that were hardly visible on the original damaged photo - and a scene that looked like something from another age suddenly becomes alive again with people whose faces are full of character and life. Don't hesitate to ask Will to undertake restoration work of your precious photos: I can truly say that he is an artist and brings total dedication and integrity to his work. Wonderful!

Yes, almost always. I have restored and enhanced pictures that were as small as a passport photo but are now A2 (42 x 59 cm). So much is possible because I do not merely restore the photo (i.e. repair its damage).

Almost every photo can be transformed, even if the image was technically poor to begin with (out of focus, for example, or lacking detail). Only very rarely is a picture beyond repair. 

Done properly, photograph restoration is a craft and highly skilled professional work. At Restoring Glory there is no 'single price' because some photographs are more damaged than others and naturally need more attention. I am able to supply a quotation once I have examined the photograph, and you will know what the work will cost before you decide to proceed.

Please contact me to discuss your requirements, because no two photographs are the same and the service that I offer is tailored to your needs.

It is always best if we can meet (though not essential) because it allows us to understand each other better. We can look at the picture together, you can explain what it is you are hoping for; I can show you what I have achieved with similar pictures, and we can talk about costs. Please telephone or email first to arrange a convenient time: 01905 317 713, Will@RestoringGlory.co.uk

But we meet, or when coming to Worcester won't be possible
It's helpful if you can email me a couple of snaps of your photo to give me an idea of its condition (taken from different angles to avoid reflections and at as high a resolution as possible to allow me to zoom in to the detail), letting me know its size and the approximate size that you might like it. A scan of the picture is even better: done at 600 dpi (dots per inch) and making no adjustments to the scanner's default settings for scanning photos (e.g. not making it any lighter or darker). Please email the files to me at Will@RestoringGlory.co.uk , or if they are very big send them to the same email address by the free file-sharing website WeTransfer.com 

Set the scanner to 600 dpi (dots per inch) or (better still) 1200 dpi, making no adjustments to its default settings for scanning photos. At these resolutions, it will be possible to have an enlargement of your restored photograph if the overall picture quality is good enough.

Log onto the free file-transfer website We Transfer, add your file, complete the message box, and send it to me at Will@RestoringGlory.co.uk

Photographs are easily, safely and reasonably cheaply transported by Royal Mail within the UK. However, I recommend following the 4 posting tips below (the 4 Ps), because doing so offers significant protection in the event of a problem.

1. Photocopy. (Or photograph - or scan, if you can). This colour copy of your photograph is your real 'insurance', from which a new photograph could be made.
2. Pack. Sandwich the original photograph between stiff card. Wrap the 'sandwich' with cling film or use a Jiffy bag envelope to protect against water. Write 'Do Not Bend' in clear, bold letters on the front and back.
3. Phone. Telephone me before posting, please, to be sure that someone will be able to sign for your parcel the next morning (01905 317713). Otherwise there is a chance I will be out and miss your delivery.
4. Post. I recommend sending photographs by Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed™ which tracks mail throughout its journey, promises delivery by 1pm the next day and requires a signature. This service (available at the Post Office) typically costs about £9.45. First Class is of course cheaper, but your parcel isn't tracked.

1. I let you know that your photograph has arrived.
2. If you accept my quote or estimate, I then start work on your photograph. Turnaround is normally three weeks because this allows me to set the restored image aside and keep returning to it with fresh eyes. I will often notice something during this period that I want to adjust.
3. I put a draft of the repaired photograph on my website for your approval and, providing you are happy, request payment.
4. I contact you to confirm that you will be able to sign for the return of your photographs (the original and any new prints) the next day before 1pm (if you have chosen Royal Mail's Special Delivery Guaranteed™ service).
5. I email you the digital file of your restored photograph, enabling you to print further copies whenever you wish.

When care has been taken to scan and restore a photograph it is important that the finished print doesn't let you down. Calibrated monitors mean that my printers accurately reproduce the colours I see on screen when I am repairing the photograph; and I use quality, pigment inks and paper that are expected to be colourfast for 200+ years in a photo album, for 40 years behind glass, and for 10 years without the glass. I can print your picture with a white border if you would like this, and to the size required to fit that special frame. But if you prefer, you can print the restored photograph yourself from the digital file - prints eventually fade and decay, but with a digital file a new photograph can be made whenever you need.

Every photograph brought for repair will have immeasurable sentimental value. However, I can only accept your picture for appraisal or restoration on the understanding that is has no monetary value (for insurance reasons). If you know that your photograph has a financial value, I recommend seeking out a business in your area that uses a quality scanner (a printer, for example). Ask them to scan the photograph (see the section above) and supply you with the digital file; then email the file to me (again, see the section above). Alternatively, please contact me to discuss the options; there is almost always a solution.

Royal Mail's Special Delivery Guaranteed™ service does offer compensation in the unlikely event of loss or damage whilst your photographs are in transit, but (as with all insurance) to make a claim you would have to “include your proof of purchase receipt and evidence of the item’s value” - meaning that you would need to be in possession of a formal valuation certificate. Few people have such a certificate, so photographs sent by post are effectively uninsured and sent at the owner's risk.

Your original photograph, and my restoration of it, are the only means I have of showing what I can do; they are my shop window! Consequently, I sometimes display examples of photograph restoration on my website, elsewhere online, in print advertising, in other digital and print media, and when giving talks about photo restoration. By asking me to restore your picture, you are granting me permission to do this. However, if you would prefer that your picture did not appear publicly I will always comply; and I would never in any case associate your name with your picture without your explicit permission.

9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday. 9 am to 12.30 pm, Saturday. To make an enquiry, please send me an email (including your telephone number) and I will respond as soon as I can.

My aim is to provide you with the best possible photograph restoration for your needs, at a fair and clear price, and to ensure that there is good communication between us throughout the process. So, if you have a question at any stage, please don't hesitate to get in touch.