What’s Your Preference?

SusanH1970 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 03:13 PM

I just listened to a voice mail I got - someone called and said she was asking photographers for help and wondered if I could help her.

Apparently, she has an old photo that's been in a frame. The photo is stuck to the glass, and the glass broke. She's wondering if there is a way to get the photo un-stuck from the glass without doing an enormous amount of damage.

Any ideas? I'm feeling generous today and don't mind helping out if I can, LOL. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Sime · #2 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 03:18 PM

I imagine steam in the right amount might help - but then, depending on what paper / fixer the photo was done on / with - it will mark when she tries to pull the glass away (like an un-set polaroid) ...hmmm yeah, not sure...

SusanH1970 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 03:23 PM

Thanks, Sime. Without knowing how old the photo is, what type of paper, etc., I think I may just call her and tell her to take it somewhere to have it fixed.

douglas · #4 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 04:13 PM

I think it might be OK just to leave it stand in cold water,but if it is an important picture to her, probably best to take it to someone who will do it,perhaps a professional lab..

zona5101 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 05:07 PM

barring a professional lab/photo restorer solution...
if it is photographic paper, soak it in water. I have had to do exactly this. I used the bathtub because it was a larger print. I used room temp h2o only because i figured that was close to the temp in the development process so the paper could handle it. I let it soak until the paper was fully saturated. I gently peeled it off the glass. some emlusion stuck to the glass but over all it was a save.

Doug Pardee · #6 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 05:54 PM

#1: Take a photo of the photo, or preferably scan it, in case things go pear-shaped. Because they probably will.

#2: Get some Kodak Photo-Flo.

#3: Check out this thread at DPReview on how to use it: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=18222673

SusanH1970 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 06:35 PM

Thanks for your help, guys!

SusanH1970 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 09:06 PM

Update: it's all been taken care of. I referred her to DPS's own "auto-focus" (aka Vinnie) and he was able to help her out. Thanks again for chiming in!

autofocus · #9 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Update: it's all been taken care of. I referred her to DPS's own "auto-focus" (aka Vinnie) and he was able to help her out. Thanks again for chiming in!

Thanks Susan...I picked it up, left it in the broken glass (thought that would be the safest) scanned it, and did the fix in Photoshop. It worked out great. Posted it to our website, and with a password they were able to see the before and after. She, and her husband were thrilled with the results. It's a sad story though. The photo was very important to the husband (picture of him and his boys white water rafting)...and it's on his "bucket list." I will spare you the details, but it's not a happy story. Thanks again for the lead.

Vinnie