When I Am Real

'I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Howard Beale

I got one of those “shake up wake up” calls the other day. Someone told me they knew Photo Restoration was valid because “it was done at the CVS Pharmacy”. Now, let me say that this person meant no ill will with this statement, in fact, after I went off like a two dollar pistol, which I'm extremely ashamed and embarrassed about, by the way, they said they realized after they wrote it that it wasn't the best thing they ever wrote. But you know, I'm actually kinda glad they did write it. It made it glaringly obvious that there is a problem, and the problem is perception and education. Saying photo restoration is valid because a pharmacy or chain store does it is like saying photography is valid because Sears or Kmart does it or that writing is valid because the National Enquirer does it. Photo Restoration is as much of an art form as these, and I'm as much an artist. Even if my background were not in fine arts, it would still be condescending in the extreme for anyone to intimate otherwise. Photo restoration is a valid digital art form, and photo restorationists are as much artists as digital painters, photographers and graphic artists.

So what to do about this? My thoughts are perhaps of a three pronged strategy: Education, Validation, Association.

Education. Photo restoration, more accurately digital photo restoration, is the non-destructive repair of damage done to a photograph by time, atmosphere, elements and/or other causes. The work is done on a scanned digital image of the original photograph. The original photograph is never touched and remains in it's current state of decay. Anyone who attempts to work on an original photo, aside from trained conservationists, is exhibiting irresponsibility in the extreme, as is anyone who would want their one of a kind historical treasure potentially destroyed completely. Digital photo restoration is responsible historical preservation.

Validation. This has to begin with us, and by us, I mean me. My perception of myself reflects directly on the perception of my art. I confess to having doubts on my own validity, occasionally, especially when there's no category that fits what I do in any given situation. I am a professional genealogist and a photo restorationist. What do I put down when asked what industry I'm in? Photography? Yes, and no. Personal or professional services? Well, kind of, but not really. Actually, photo restoration is a valid genealogical service and is stated as such in the handbook (i.e., bible), of professional genealogists, “Professional Genealogy A Manual For Researchers” edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills. It's listed as a career alternative in the photographic field. A slightly more edifying validation than CVS Pharmacy. As validating as that is, however, I admit to feeling like I don't fit in, sometimes, for instance, the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) of which I'm a member, or in the artistic community in general. I've come to realize this is through no fault of those entities, but my fault entirely. My self perception is coloring the perception of others. Just because my art form is outside the types that make up most of this association or community doesn't make it any less an art form. Also, there's a lot of really bad photo restoration out there, frankly, that neither looks nor deserves the moniker “professional”. Too many people decide they want a part time work from home gig and decide they'll do photo restoration without having the tools or the skills to do so with any degree of competence. It's a bit like deciding you're going to be a wedding photographer because you like to take pictures with your 3.1 mega pixel point and shoot camera. Or even if you own a Nikon D90, just owning the equipment and knowing there are weddings taking place doesn't mean you're qualified as a “professional” (true, the root of the word professional simply means that one does whatever it is one does for a living, but there's a difference in “professional” and “professionalism”). Again, I say validation must begin with me, myself. To that end, I will henceforth stop calling myself a photo restorationist, the word restorationist not even being recognized as a correct spelling in spell checkers, and begin referring to myself as a Photo Restoration Artist. It is an art and I am an artist. I will also get off my lazy keester and start a photo restoration group on the NAPP forum, open to any and all restoration artists and all interested in the art and it's techniques. The goal being to make us all better at what we do so others start seeing it for the legitimate art form it is.

Association. I would like to see more people of influence in the artistic and Photoshop community recognize good, well done, professional photo restoration as a valid art form. I'd like to see the Dave Crosses and Scott Kelbys' of the world, as well as lesser known, but just as influential, masters of the art world and Photoshop universe, give a word, a shout out, a moment of silence in awe of how well Photoshop techniques can be employed to achieve masterful results in photo restoration. I'd like to see just normal people, historians, genealogists, restoration hobbyists, even just folks who look at a good restoration and think, “Wow! That's good!” be more vocal in their appreciation for the art and associate themselves with it. Not only would it uplift the artists, but it would motivate self improvement and artistic excellence in photo restoration artists in general.

Does this sound like I'm taking all of this a bit too seriously? Perhaps, but try to put yourself in my place. What if your chosen artistic professional was maligned and put in the category of a quick fix, half-assed, software plugin generated, restoration-in-a-box, invalid hobby? I think you might feel a tad bit offended, as well! I want to fight this fight for respect and validation, but I ask for help, in as small an amount as you can spare, from anyone who believes this is a valid art form. I would more than appreciate it and will be a great cheerleader for you and your art form, in return. As for me, and my art, while I believe my talent speaks for itself, I do think it needs a louder mouthpiece, now and then. I hope I don't flatter myself too much when I say I'm very good at what I do. I'm an artist. I'm a Photo Restoration Artist. I insist, no, I demand, the recognition and validation that should come to one with my talent. I shall be loud, and insistent to this end. Please keep an eye out for me and kindly move aside so I don't mow you down. Or better yet, come along with me! Perhaps we can be mutually beneficial to one another.