My long stored photos have gotten convex-how can I straighten them out.?

Question

I tried heavy weights on small stacks but didn't work and I have a 65 year accumulation (some in albums are ok) but others in boxes need tender loving restoration. Can you help me. I know this is not about taking photographs but of restoring them to their original flat condition which I intend won't happen again.
Thanks so much for your help-I am desperate.

Answer 1

Couple of options:
- Put everything in albums. You need to buy more albums.
- The best option is to go digital. Scan all your photos and save them as digital images. Then you won't have to worry about the originals. If you have digital images, you can reprint them whenever you want and as many times as you like. You can also easily pass them down to younger generations.

Answer 2

I also have many very old prints that I want to save for future generations. Rather than wrestle with single copies of dried, curled, and sometimes cracked paper, I have been scanning them and saving to CD or DVD.

Now I can give electronic copies to multiple family members. I also have to chance to electronically repair the cracks and restore the color. So I am passing on great clear images.

I use an Epson 4870 scanner for prints, slides, and negatives. (The scanner bed pushes the curled print flat for copying.) Then I use Photoshop to restore the image as needed.

Good Luck

Answer 3

If I were you, I'd go to a local photographer and explain your situation. Take a few pix with you as examples, so he or she can see exactly what you're dealing with. We had a photographer in my area who, while specializing in taking professional photos, also did restoration. A professional can probably advise you best.

You can also try gently bending them back into their original shapes, but this isn't advised for your very old photos - the ink used to print them may crack and flake, and that would be even worse than the problem you're facing now.

Answer 4

put heavy books on them?