Help me save this photograph please!!!

[Anonymous]

My very old photograph with VERY high sentimental value, irreplaceable is stuck to the glass frame. I almost cried when I saw it. It is several decades old and has been in pristine condition that whole time. Help!!! I was not at all careless with it but my spouse was "tidying up" and threw everything into a box. There must have been something with moisture in the box and the picture came out of the frame and part of the picture is now stuck to the glass. What can I do to save it???

[Anonymous]

I would call Penn Camera and ask for a few names of photo restorers. Or you could take it directly to the store (there are several branches in the D.C. area).

Best of luck--I think you'll be able to save the photo.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for Penn Camera. They are on E & 7th streets. Don't try to peel the photo from the frame, instead take the whole thing down there and see what they recommend.

I took some very old family photos that had been bent or otherwise had bits missing, and Penn camera was able to restore them through something like Photoshop, although not exactly that. When they are done, they can also make copies or put the photos on a CD for you, which makes a nice present for other family members....

[Anonymous]

I have an "in," but most high schools offer a digital arts class. You could email the teacher to see if s/he would be willing to take this on a project.

You'd have to pay for paper and/or processing, but it would be cheaper in the end - and the results are superior.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the ideas. I'll ask about both.

13:39, how does one get contact information for the digital arts teacher at a high school and would this be private or public school?

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm so sorry that happened. If they think they can't remove it from the glass, be sure to have them scan it first so you'll at least have a good copy. When you get it framed, take it to a good frame shop and have it mounted with "museum" or "preservation" glass with acid free background. Make sure glass doesn't touch picture (either due to frame style or with matting). Good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the ideas. I'll ask about both.

13:39, how does one get contact information for the digital arts teacher at a high school and would this be private or public school?[/quote

Websites

I'd go public first, as they tend to have more resources. You would look under art to see which courses they offer and then directly contact the teacher. My colleague's student did a wonderful job of restoring a B&W photo of my parents. It made my mom cry.

If this doesn't work out, the I agree with the others - Penn Camera. They'll do a decent job.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP, I would find a conservator through the American institute for conservation,

http://www.conservation-us.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=495

removing an photo that has adhered to glass is definitely not going to be something you can do on your own but a good conservator should be able to, as well as stabilize it, repair any tears or minor losses, and put it in appropriate housing. I'm not sure if she still does private work, but Sarah Wagner is a conservator in the area who is excellent. the AIC should help you find someone else too--

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would find a conservator through the American institute for conservation,

http://www.conservation-us.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=495

removing an photo that has adhered to glass is definitely not going to be something you can do on your own but a good conservator should be able to, as well as stabilize it, repair any tears or minor losses, and put it in appropriate housing. I'm not sure if she still does private work, but Sarah Wagner is a conservator in the area who is excellent. the AIC should help you find someone else too--

Thank you and virtual hug to you all! This photo is extremely precious to me and I am very grateful for all the tips.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. One of my wedding photos has that problem. Fortunately, I can just buy another one...