What is Image Enhancement?

Sometimes simply restoring a photograph isn’t enough.   There’s not much point in “restoring” a picture back to its original condition if  it wasn’t much good in the first place. Fortunately, digital imaging can perform wonders and even the most lacklustre picture can be enhanced.

Quite simply, image enhancement is the use of artistic techniques to enhance a photograph so that a poor-quality graphic is transformed into something presentable, and hopefully publishable. First, the usable aspects of the picture are subjected to the usual restoration techniques, then unusable or missing pieces are replaced. When the restoration is complete the image is then subjected to a variety of different filters which “bring it to life”. The finished product may not be exactly the same as the original, but it should be far better.

What Do I Do Next?

First of all, you need to send us a copy of the photograph as an e-mail attachment. Ideally it should be sent as a high-quality j-peg. When we’ve received your picture we’ll take a good look at it. If the quality isn’t good enough, or there are other technical problems, we’ll get in touch with you. If its okay, then we’ll e-mail you and let you know that we’re about to start work on the enhancement process.  You can find out how much we’ll charge by looking at our FEES LIST. For really difficult jobs we may need to send you a tailored quotation by e-mail. If we feel this is necessary, we’ll always let you know BEFORE we begin work.

We’ll also need to be satisfied that you have the right to have the photograph copied. In fact you need to make sure you have the right to copy the picture and send it to us BEFORE you even scan it in.

As a media professional you’ll know this of course, and we don’t want to be telling our granny  how to suck eggs, as they say, but we need to be sure that copyright laws aren’t unwittingly  infringed.

To see how versatile image enhancement is, just take a look at the original photograph below and a number of enhancements that were made after its restoration. Some are subtle, others stark, but they’re all a distinct improvement on the original.

Now look at just a small number of potential enhancements...

Image Enhancement

Image enhancement can be a simple process or a laborious one, depending on the degree and type of enhancement. Standard charges below illustrate typical fees for a single restoration, but in complex cases charges may need to be increased. If the fees need to be raised above the standard charge we will notify you before we commence work so that you can determine whether you wish to proceed.

There are three different Enhancement Packages available; Standard, Advanced & Gold.

Please look at what each package has to offer before making your choice.

Details of each package are given below.

Standard Enhancement

Standard Enhancement involves a basic restoration of the photograph, followed by  the image being processed through a number of different filters to improve the overall appearance of the picture. Unwanted, intrusive aspects of the picture - such as telegraph poles, partial images of automobiles, etc., will be removed.

Advanced Enhancement

Advanced Enhancement involves a thorough restoration of the photograph, followed by  the image being processed through a number of different filters to improve the overall appearance of the picture. Unwanted, intrusive aspects of the picture - such as telegraph poles, partial images of automobiles, etc., will be removed.

The background of the picture will be either altered or replaced to your specifications.

Monotone or duotone images can be rendered in a number of different hues.

Your image can be rendered into a vignette, in which the sharp edges of the picture are removed and replaced by a gentle fading of the image into the edge of the photograph.

Gold Enhancement

Gold Enhancement involves a thorough restoration of the photograph, followed by  the image being processed through a number of different filters to improve the overall appearance of the picture. Unwanted, intrusive aspects of the picture - such as telegraph poles, partial images of automobiles, etc., will be removed.

The background of the picture will be either altered or replaced to your specifications.

People can be added to or removed from your picture according to your wishes.

The people in your photograph can be digitally morphed to reduce or remove aesthetically unpleasing aspects, such as “double chins”, untidy hair, blemishes from clothing, “red eye”, etc.

“Missing” body parts can also be replaced.

Monotone or duotone images can be rendered in a number of different hues.

Your image can be rendered into a vignette, in which the sharp edges of the picture are removed and replaced by a gentle fading of the image into the edge of the photograph.

Your picture will be rendered into six different artistic representations. A selection of different borders is available to give your photograph that extra-special finish.

Other Examples of Gold Enhancement