Photographs and Memories

July 26, 2017 7:24 PM

How do I clone an old family photograph? My sister-in-law wants a frameable copy of a WWII-era portrait hanging in our home. There is, of course, no negative available. I'm sure this should be doable, but don't know what type of store, lab, or expert I should be looking for. Can someone help me please?
posted by DrGail to Technology (5 answers total)

Any photo lab can scan it and make a print.
posted by bradbane at 7:27 PM on July 26, 2017

Are you able to remove it from the frame, glass, and any matting or backing without damaging the surface? If so, any photo lab will do a great scan and print, or even Kinkos will be ok if that's all you have access to. If the surface is stuck to the glass at all, which you can tell by loking at it closely, take it to a reputable, trained photo conservator rather than trying to remove it yourself. If it can't be removed from the glass without damage, it can probably still be shot through the glass by a pro photographer with good results.
posted by CheeseLouise at 7:57 PM on July 26, 2017 [2 favorites]

If you have a specialty camera shop nearby, they're often able to offer local suggestions, and look at the physical picture to see if it needs special handling.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:57 PM on July 26, 2017

Do you have a recent smart phone with a good camera? Google's PhotoScan app does a surprisingly excellent job of making a digital file from a printed photo. It's exactly what it was made more. I've scanned dozens of such photos. You can then have a print made anywhere with photo services.
posted by The Deej at 8:41 PM on July 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

Many good professional photography studios have a copy stand. The original is placed flat down and the camera is suspended above exactly parallel so a good photo can be created. From the negative, prints can be made.
posted by mightshould at 5:46 PM on July 27, 2017