Q1) How do I order?

1. 1)Contact me by phone or email with details of what you would like done.
   

2. 2)I will give you an estimate or quote. If you decide to go ahead there are several options in forwarding material to me, please see Q2 for details.
   

3. 3)Work will commence and a final sample image will be emailed to you for approval. SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: If you are not happy with the result I will correct it to your liking until you are completely satisfied.
   

4. 4)Once I have received payment, your order will be sent to you, either by email, post, or person, according to the order and your preferred requirements.
   

Q2) How do I get my photos/slides to you?

It all depends on your originals - do you have digital photos or actual photos/negatives or slides? There are several options:

By Hand - Perfect for those who live in the Milton Keynes area and prefer not to send originals by post, we can meet, scan your originals and discuss your needs.

By Email - photoenhance@mac.com - For the digital photo or scan needing enhancement/manipulation. Perfect for those who don’t live close by or prefer not to send originals via post, see Q5 for details.

By iDisk - For bulk transfer to a server of digital pictures or scans, contact me for details.

By CD / DVD - Send your digital photos and scans on CD/DVD via post (Email me for my postal address), see Q5 for technical details.

By Courier - For bulk orders, this is a good way to safely guarantee delivery of your original photos/negatives or slides to me. It will be an extra expense, but it may be worth the peace of mind it provides.

By Post - If you are happy to post your originals make sure they are delivered either Recorded Signed For, or preferably Special Delivery.  My Post Box subscription will not be renewed next year due to non-use. All my customers prefer to either hand deliver or email their photos. For those who do wish to post a CD/DVD or possibly their original images please email me, my postal address is available only on request. PLEASE NOTE: Though it is rare and should it happen,

I cannot be held responsible for any material lost by post.

Please include your name, email address and your requirements.

Q3) What must i do to PREPARE my originals?

First of all decide what you want to do with your images. Do you want to digitally archive them or convert them to a DVD slideshow? Are there photos you would like restored? Separate the photos, slides and negatives into relevant groups. For archiving you may want all images scanned whereas for a DVD slideshow you may prefer to select only the best or most relevant. Clean slides and negatives of dust and dirt with a soft brush or lint free cloth and enclose them in an envelope or several envelopes if they are to be kept in groups or categories, such as for chapters in a DVD slideshow. Carefully take photos out of picture frames and enclose them in a stiff envelope. Include your name and address as well as a brief description of what you would like done. Secure the envelope(s) in a padded envelope/package and post, hand deliver or use a courier service to get the package to me. Please let me know you have sent the package, if by post or courier.

Q4) WOULD MY ORIGINALS BE SAFE IN YOUR HANDS?

Absolutely, all originals will be treated as if they were my own. I will handle them with care and respect during scanning and safely store them until the order is complete. I will then post, hand deliver or courier the originals and order back to you in a secure sturdy envelope. By post, ‘Recorded Signed For’ is included in the price or ‘Special Delivery’/ Courier for an additional charge.

Q5) I don’t want to send my originals, what do I do?

Customers who live near Olney will usually meet at my home where I scan the originals immediately, therefore no need to leave your original images behind.

If you prefer, I can work from your scans or digital photos. You will need to digitize your photographs/negatives or slides.

Q5 continued next column...

© Maurizio Cherbava  (Photoenhance)  2007 - 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Q5 continued...

There are two ways you can do this:

SCANNER: The local copy shop can help you or a friend with a scanner. Scan photographs at a resolution of 600ppi (pixels per inch) minimum, that will double the photo size or up to 1200ppi (for small photos), resulting in 4x original size. Scan in RGB colour mode, including black & white photos.

For 35mm negatives and slides scan at a resolution of 3200ppi which will give you a print size of up to 14.9” x 9.8” (37.9 x 24.9cm). Larger print sizes require higher resolutions. If you have a specific print size in mind let me know and I will work out the ideal scanner resolution for you.

Save scans as jpegs, at the highest quality setting.  Before scanning please use a lint free cloth and/or a clean soft brush to dust down the photos and slides as well as the scanner glass for better results. Burn scanned images onto CD / DVD and post to me, or upload to my iDisk, or if only a few images email them.

DIGITAL CAMERA: With careful preparation, you can get acceptable results using your digital camera to take a photo of a photograph. The camera will only work with photographs of course, use natural light so shoot outside but under shade, never in direct sunlight. Use the largest image and highest quality setting on your camera. Get closer by using the zoom lens allowing the photograph to fill the image viewer. Allow the camera to auto focus or manually focus before taking the picture. Check the image for sharpness before sending the file to me. Email the images or contact me for transfer details to my server if there are many.

Q6) Do you keep my images on your hard drive after order is delivered?

Yes I do, for thirty days only. Thereafter your image folder will be deleted. If you need further copies after the 30 day period, a re-scan will be required resulting unfortunately in extra cost.

Q7) HOW MUCH IS POSTAGE?

It will depend on the weight and size of the package and therefore calculated on an individual basis. Postage always includes recorded signed for, if special delivery is preferred please let me know as there will be an extra charge.

Q8) PROFESSIONAL SCANNING

Scan resolution depends on your desired final print size. Default print size is 7 x 5” (17.5 x 12.5cm). Slides and negatives are scanned from 1200ppi (pixels per inch) to 6400ppi.  At a print resolution of 300dpi (dots per inch) a 1200ppi and 6400ppi scan will print at 5.6 x 3.68 inches (14.2 x 9.3cm) and 29.8 x 19.6 inches (75.8 x 49.8cm) respectively. Photographs are scanned between 600ppi - 1200ppi (will print 2 to 4 times original size). Slides and negatives for DVD slideshows are scanned at 1500ppi. Images for email will be reduced to 72ppi for viewing on screen. Scans are saved as tif files ready for enhancement, restoration, manipulation and some archiving. For bulk images and email, files will be converted to high quality Jpeg before burning to CD or DVD.

Q9) DO YOU EDIT PORNOGRAPHIC IMAGES?

No sorry, I don’t! Any explicit display of sexual organs and/or sexual activity is considered  pornographic. Nudes and semi nudes are acceptable, only if in an artistic and tasteful setting. Enhancements such as, slimming waists, trimming bottoms and enlarging breasts, will be strictly carried out on photos of clothed figures.

Q10) Do YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS?

Certainly, discounts are offered on bulk orders. Call me with your requirements.

Q11) HOW DO I PAY?

Once the work is complete, I will email you with payment details. Payments are received through the secure payment service offered by Paypal using your debit or credit card. Cash payments are requested if project is delivered or collected personally.

If you have any questions that do not appear here please email me and I will endeavor to respond as soon as possible.