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[Shelley]

Hello,

I signed up a few days ago but have yet to ask for a photo to restore.

I've rated myself as a beginner because I've only been taking photo restoration seriously for the last year or so. However in that time I have been taking it very seriously and have been pushing myself on a steep learning curve. I think it's about to get steeper...

I don't know which is more scary: the photos in the gallery, or all the comments I've read about how they're in a much worse state than the gallery pictures suggest. I'd hate to waste anyone's time and effort with a lousy restore.

Despite my current hesitation I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead. Once I get started, that is!

Shelley

[Hannie]

Hi Shelly, welcome to the forum!

Go ahead, jump in the deep end and just give it a try. 
If you find the photo you picked too hard you can try another or post your work on the forum. 
(if it is still too difficult at this time you can wait for more photos to be added to our galleries)
You definitely won't be wasting anyone's time, I can assure you!

Hannie

[Shelley]

Thanks, will do!

There's a sticky in the "The New Volunteer Welcome Center" dated over a month ago that says we're meant to request photos by email. Does that still apply, or should I follow the instructions in the handbook?

Shelley

[Hannie]

We will get rid of that sticky, thanks for mentioning it!
You can follow the handbook and make your request by leaving a comment with the photo of your choice.

Hannie

[Johnboy]

Welcome to OPR Shelley from southwest Ohio.

Don't worry about stating you are a beginner. I signed up with very little Photoshop experience. I had learned how to use the Patch tool and the Healing brush. They have been my main tools for many of my restores. I have advanced from there. Can't say I'll tackle one with a lot of damage where I have to replace missing features but hope to get there someday.

You may find it helpful to pick up a copy of Katrin Eismann's book Photoshop Restoration and Retouching. So far she only has revised it to a Third Edition which is written for Photoshop 7. Don't let that deter you as there are many good pointers and tutorials. You can download photos that go with the book's tutorials to practice. If nothing else it is a great reference book for Photoshop. I use CS but if you have a more updated version the only thing missing would be the newer features.

Don't be too concerned about the 'there is more damage than I saw in the gallery' comments. You are looking at a low res version in the gallery and with the download you get a higher resolution which may show some damage not obvious at low res. Some of the comments are pokes of fun at our distributors. Have to do something to keep our sanity. Something I have done when choosing a photo to restore is to enlarge the photo in the gallery by clicking on it. Then copy it to my computer, and put it in Photoshop to get a larger image. Then I play with it a little to see if it can be a possible restore for me. When I have done this, I have seen damage that I overlooked in the gallery. It just helps me decide which photo to choose to restore.

As Hannie said when you feel over whelmed just post to the forum. As you have seen there are many here to help you. I have received a lot of good help in the past.

Good luck with your first choice and the ones to follow.

Johnboy

[glennab]

Hi Shelley

Welcome from steamy Florida.  JB has done a great job of filling you in on a lot of what happens on the forum.  Just know that many of us take a lot of pleasure in helping other volunteers with their restorations and don't hesitate to post if you can't identify something or want help.  And don't be discouraged if you have to return a restoration unfinished, because some are virtually unrestorable.  I've been with OPR for more than 4 years, and I just had to send one back incomplete, because it was beyond me to pick out portions of the photo.  It happens.

You have a world-wide circle of friends in OPR, and I'm really glad you've joined us.

Cheers!

GK

[Mhayes]

Hi Shelley,

Welcome from Kansas! We have all been in your shoes and with every photo you restore, you will gain a lot of insight on how to make things work. My first photo to restore was so awful that I questioned why it was even in the gallery. Turns out it was the only photo that the family had, but I was at wits end on how to start. The forum is such a great place, because everyone is there to help and you will get different ways to approach a problem. Also, if you ever get a photo that you wished you hadn't--return it and no problem.  Just kidding!

Margie