Is it worth it?

[Seoras]

Carol, I can see where you are coming from. I haven't had much restored lately but do pop in to see the restores. Sometimes there is genuine heartfelt thanks expressed and at others barely a grunt. There also seems to be some cases of folks being on RC purely to get a free restore. Maybe I am just being cynical but I think not. However gal, stick with it and maybe be selective, I can assure you, your talents are very much appreciated. To those who have had their photos restored I would say heed Cazza, it takes no time at all to send the restorer a personal message of thanks. It is the very least they deserve.

[spices]

I keep going back to the work that so many restorers did on " Baby Norm"

Carols comment - Hi Lynnette...One from me too....I gave him a bath and a cuddle 
Carol
keeps resonating 

[RecycledHippy]

Carol
I finding that other restorers are having feelings very similar to the way I do
I find that I am doing less and less

People ask for restores, but cannot take the time to read the basic instruction such as dpi, photo sizes allowed ( things that make restorers life easier ) etc

So, Carol, you are not alone in wondering if is worth carrying on

Hippy 

Hope you have had a good Christmas and New Year

[Nettie]

Hi Carol,
I, for one, truly appreciate the work you and other restorers do not only on my photos but on other people's as well. Scrolling through the thread, I am often brought to tears seeing what can be done for a faded/damaged image. You are bringing the past to life and that's what we are all about.

Given that you and all restorers possess skills that we don't, we probably don't truly appreciate the complexity of the work you do. Having said that, there is no excuse for poor manners. I have seen more than a few 'requests' (using the term lightly) which read more like demands and then when the work is done the efforts are brushed aside. It happens across the board and it very frustrating to see as it puts people off helping and then genuine people miss out.

You, Carol, need to do whatever you feel is best for you. I will definitely miss your contributions should you choose not to continue here but this is a hobby and it should be a positive experience for you.

Take care.

[stevew101]

I have to admit that Carol is right.  I find that I am doing less restores now.  I learned some time ago that some people say thank you and others don't bother.  For those people that appreciate the time and effort, I continue to do restores for them. and hope that they enjoy the improvements to their treasured pictures.  The "Thank You" always means a lot.

For those that don't even give so much as a thank you, I don't do second requests.  Sometimes I see a picture I would love to work on, but decide against it, as the poster has previously not even said thank you.  Looking in my message box, I have well over a 100 personal messages of thanks...  They do mean a lot as they show what the restoration means to the poster.  On the other hand, there are people who do not even say a thank you on the board.

The cost of a basic restoration commercially is now in the region of £40, and for colouring..... Well, you don't want to know the cost.  How much does a thank you cost?

I hope that you continue with your excellent restoration work Carol.

Steve

[Treetotal]

I have to say how overwhelmed I am at the support and kind comments in response to my post and I am very touched that people took the time to show how much they appreciate and value the work we do here.
Many of the people who post their photos for repair have little concept of the work involved or the time it takes to bring their damaged photos back to life in order to preserve people's precious photographic memories and it is always a joy to see everyone's take on an old faded and damaged photo.

The problem isn't a new one...there have been many offline grumbles over time about this issue and Caz and I could fill a book that would make interesting reading with a few deletive expletives 

There will always be givers and takers in this world...it's when the number of takers outweighs the number of givers that the balance of fairness becomes upset.
Thank you also to those who have shown support both in PMs and emails...you know who you are.
Long may the board continue to bring joy and pleasure to those whose treasured photos are preserved by the dedicated team of restorers.

Special thanks to Caz  for listening to my rants and to Sarah for her care and concern.

Once again thank you all especially the restorers who lent their support to my concerns 

I won't get my coat just yet 

Carol 

[Finley 1]

Great --  

xin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJdvoDHLBdY

[jess5athome]

Hi, please don't be disheartened, I am not a restorer but have had a couple of photo's "Touched up / Enhanced" etc in the past and have always said Thank you for the work, after all, good manners cost nothing.
I think the problem in part is that a lot of people do not understand the vast amount of work and skill involved in restoring someones treasured photograph and as you say just take it for granted.
I am in awe of the work carried out on this board and think all restorer's are fantastic, I have seen photo's put on for repair with statements along the line of
               
                                             "I think this is beyond repair"

And smile to myself thinking, "Ha! wait till you return and see the things that these people can do"
Take heart from the fact that you and your fellow restorer's bring so much joy into someones life with your skills and take it from me and all the other chatter's that you are truly valued.

THANK YOU  THANK YOU  THANK YOU 
Regards and thanks always
Frank.

[atmartinas]

I won't get my coat just yet 


Carol 

Now that is very good news, Happy New Year