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http://www.claytonportraits.com/blog/

All the blog post have been moved along with comments, sorry facebook likes do not move.

To restore this picture, a lot of time was spent on the art work to completely repair it. The process started by getting a good digital file, to do this we photographed it with our professional camera and special lighting to reduce reflections (no scanner used). Next, many hours in Photoshop to fix the face and clothing, to retain details in those areas. The background goes much quicker because of it’s smooth overall texture.

You can fine more about our services at and contact information at, http://www.claytonportraits.com/restoration.html or see more restorations on our blog here.

There are many reason why you should choose a professional with experience, we know the best techniques to use when reproducing your treasured family photos. In my studio we use several different tools to digitize your photos, high end scanners or special lighting with a professional camera.

Our scanning techniques are professional and most would never make a file like we can. Since most photographers today never copied a photograph in the film world, they would not have the specialized equipment we have to reduce surface glare from a photo.

I have copied and restored thousands of photo over the past 36 plus years and have taught photographers from around the country my techniques at conventions and professional schools. All of this helps me with the tools we used today, special lights, pro camera, high end scanner and a professional knowledge of Adobe Photoshop.

View our website for more information, http://www.claytonportraits.com/restoration.html

This photo had a shinny surface so a flat bed scanner would be useless. We set up our special lights with glare reducing filters and a high end professional camera to make the digital file needed. The image then went into Photoshop to do all the artwork need to fix the imperfections, improve overall contrast and color.

Professional copy and restoration work is not that expensive, it is an investment in the history of your family.

Give us a call at (608) 277-0969 to discuss your restoration needs.

History has taught us great lessons, but today’s new photographers (most are part-timers or stay at home moms) seem to only look at current trends, shoot for today – forget history. I have read many articles and blog posts, written by young photographers, and most of them look at traditional photography as a “dead art” with no place in today’s world. Is it because they are poorly trained, under experienced or under funded?

Current trends, lean towards everything looking candid and un-posed (sounds like a snapshot to me). Why take 2000 to 3000 images at a wedding when all they need is 85 good ones or take 200 plus high school senior poses to get 10, not great percentages. Many new photographers do not have a studio, professional lighting, sets, props or canvas backgrounds, everything is done in the backyard or some location. I have read articles that well designed and lighted portraits are referred as a grandpa or yesterdays style (often by a new photographer with no resources to buy equipment). Just because a new photographer uses a prosumer grade camera, (almost professional) and a couple of speed lights, does not make them a good photographer.

What worked yesterday will always be good for tomorrow
Everyone has a different need for photography, some want the instant use on facebook, but most still want a portrait displayed in a frame that will look like them years from now. History should not portray you with most of your face obscured from view because of some fad. A well exposed, properly focused photo that looks likes like you will survive the test of time.

A part of history is missing because some of my ancestors never had a studio picture taken. Some of the images that make up our family tree is represented by nothing more that a poor quality snapshot, where no features can be seen (very sad). Some of today’s styles such as lens flare remind me of the old dirty lens that obscured the image or the faded – off color Polaroid print. Is this how you want to be remembered?

I have many friends in this industry who have been around for 25 or more years. They shot a lot of film and planned each shot, because they only had one chance. They do not use today’s shot gun approach and take hundreds of pictures to get a few good ones. When selecting a photographer, select one who has experience, who offers many styles and has a strong traditional view.

My personal style is Modern-Traditional. I mix in several different styles when photographing, casual poses, head and shoulder poses, different backgrounds, clothing changes and locations if needed. Everything is customized but we keep to our traditional view points; sharp images, good use of professional lighting and great expressions that will last the test of time (that is why we have been around for 36 plus years).

Thirty six years as professional photographer has taught me that only the best studio equipment should be used. In the 1990′s many publications were telling photographers to prepare for digital, I started studying it in 1994. At that time there was not an affordable camera ($25,000 or more) or a good enough sensor to do portrait work. Early, in  2000′s digital photography was coming together for portrait photographers. There were Pro labs and high end inkjet printers for digital printing at an affordable cost. When Kodak released their Professional 760 digital camera ($7,500) in the winter of 2002, many film photographers went digital including myself. Today, I use the Canon 5D Mark II professional camera and when the Mark III comes out, hopefully in spring, we will upgrade. That is what a professional does, invest in the best equipment and training then records history.

Dennis Clayton

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Here is a link to our pet photography page, http://claytonportraits.com/pets.html

Here is a link to our website for Miss Wisconsin with Reanna and former Miss Wisconsin’s that we have photographed,
http://www.claytonportraits.com/misswisconsin.html

This is a link to the Miss Wisconsin website; http://www.misswisconsin.com/

Autograph Card

Here is a link to more images of Laura
Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler

A link to our website page featuring all the Miss Wisconsin’s we have photographed
http://claytonportraits.com/misswisconsin.html 

Miss America 2012, Laura Kaeppeler

For more information on senior portraits click on the link, http://claytonportraits.com/seniors.html

These are the two images used to create Will’s skateboard photo.

If you would like to subscribe to our studio newsletter, click in the link…. NEWSLETTER

This was photographed in one of our high school senior portrait sessions, for more information click on the link; http://claytonportraits.com/seniors.html