print repair

[rollie]

I have an old print of my mothers high school graduation which is about 14 inches long and maybe 8" high. It has been rolled up for millions of years and am wondering if putting this in water would enable it to be flattened out and dried in that position. It has many cracks and I would like to scan it into ps and fix it up. Anyone had a situation like this? Any help greatly appreciated.
:?

[Meerkat17]

I'd be more tempted to use a Steam Iron and a slightly damp cloth - I'd be worried about too much water getting into the cracks and them peeling from the back.

Its all I can suggest.

David

[rollie]

Thanks David, I too was concerned about the emulsion layer actually lifting off at this point. The print is rolled up rather tight so it will have to be "relaxed" somehow before it can be flattened. I wouldn't know how to use an iron to accomplish that. The steam would go on the back of the image?
Thanks for the input.

[maderito]

See this forum link (http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24916) on Polaroid's excellent dust & scratch removal utility,

This website (http://retouchpro.com/), a portal into the world of photo retouching, and

This excellent book (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0789723182/102-9432310-7112169?v=glance) by Katrin Eismann on maximizing your Photoshop skills in digital photo retouching and restoration.

[Meerkat17]

When I did B&W photography we used to use a drying machine which was just like a large iron with a canvas lid - that's why I suggested the use of an iron.

To relax the photo you could try the damp cloth I suggested (I mean damp not wet) placed around it for an hour or so. If that works/helps to relax the paper then using the damp cloth on the back of the photo help it more with the steam iron. This way you would not be getting water into the emulsion.

The only other thing I could suggest would be to contact someone into paper restoration and find out how they might approach it.

David

[stopbath]

I have an old print of my mothers high school graduation which is about 14 inches long and maybe 8" high. It has been rolled up for millions of years
You mom is gonna kill you for that age reference!!!
The only other thing I could suggest would be to contact someone into paper restoration and find out how they might approach it.

David
Excellent advise. If you can locate someone who works with archives, they should be able to guide you or help you restore the image. (A photoshop that does "restoring" may just farm it out, or may not know how to unfurl the image correctly.)