It is universally acknowledged that light is the worst enemy of the old photograph, as can be seen with the unrestored image, left. Uncontrolled heat and humidity can also damage pictures, even those stored in the dark. Furthermore, many photos simply suffer from inferior processing, or because the processes used to create them were never meant for posterity.

This is the problem that ADA was created to address.

How Does Restoration Work?

ADA scans or photographs the original artifact and returns it intact to the owner. We then go to work on the digital image, removing dirt and scratches and other impedimenta. Where the subject has moved, or their features have been damaged by wear or trauma to the original, we are willing to work at reconstructing the face of the person. All restoration is done on a digital copy of the original, and then given to the client as a fine art print. We can print virtually any size up to 17" x 44" on a wide range of watercolor paper or special media such as Japanese mulberry papers.

We understand how signs of age can contribute to the charm of a photograph or a tintype, and so we leave in evidence of antiquity at the same time that we reveal the historical information that the image contains.