Category: Photo Restoration

“Vintage is Now” Day 10- A simple 1940’s snapshot

Posted by on in Custom Framing, Photo Restoration, Vintage is now
1940’s photo snapshot custom framed
Custom Framed Black and White snapshot

Day 10 of “Vintage is Now” features a candid snapshot of a mother and son in the 1940’s. It was taken in the backyard on a sunny day. It is honest. There was no primping or posing.   The subjects were immigrants who were grateful for everything.

This photo came from a “shoebox collection” of  photos.  Most families have a box or two of these.  Sometimes they  are a semi-glossy photo with cool deckled edges. Looking through a box of these is an adventure through the past.

The tone on tone white matting is simple. The matting design frames the image and draws your eye into the photo. We used a traditional frame that would have felt perfect in this home. The mom in the photo passed away in 1952, but we know that future generations will have a glimpse of a their family matriarch.

“Vintage is Now” Day 9-Purple Heart Certificate, Photo and Medals

Posted by on in Custom Framing, For the Community, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now
Custom Framed WWII memorabilia
We won’t forget this soldier who was killed in action in Europe during WWII.

Day 9 of “Vintage is Now” is a sad one. We framed an original military photo with a Purple Heart certificate and medals all in one frame. Our young US soldier was killed in action on December 25, 1944 in Europe during the Battle of the Bulge.

This was a gift from a niece of the deceased to a nephew of the deceased.  She chose  a tasteful Larson Juhl Biltmore frame. Although it does not show in the photo, the frame is deep enough to accommodate the thickness of the medals.  We used Museum glass and solid color core matboard. The mat opening around the medals was embellished with a classic corner from our computerized matcutter. We were honored to win a Larson Juhl Design Star award for this several years ago.

Custom framing keeps our memories alive. Thanks to all that served our Country. We won’t forget you.

“Vintage Is Now” Day 7-1940’s NYC Copacabana Club souvenir photo

Posted by on in Custom Framing, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now
Vintage custom framed photo
An enlarged Copacabana souvenir photo from the 1940’s.

Our Day 7 “Vintage is Now” photo goes back to WWII and the Copacabana Club in New York City. This was enlarged from a souvenir keepsake taken by a professional photographer who went from table to table taking photos.  We enlarged this and it hangs in a dining room. The handsome couple have passed away but are remembered every day.

Whispering Woods Gallery showed creativity in the mat cutting. Neutral mats draw you into the very interesting photo. The elegant vintage warm silver frame is perfect. We never tire of looking at this custom framed photograph.

“Vintage is Now” Day 6-a 1955 black and white snapshot montage

Posted by on in Custom Framing, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now
Custom Framed Baby Snapshots from 1955
Baby snapshots from the summer of 1955.

Day 6 of Whispering Woods Gallery’s “Vintage is Now” features a series of snapshots from a warm spring day in 1955. The framed piece was given to the baby, now an adult, for a special birthday. The baby photos were a surprise as they had been tucked away in a cousin’s collection. We can tell that much thought and love went into the photography.

Although the framing looks simple, there’s a lot going on. It hangs in a modern shore home so the frame needed to be contemporary. We used a silver water gilded Larson Juhl frame made in France. To soften it a bit, a scooped fillet was added inside the frame.  The mats are solid color neutrals of white with a pale gray. A v-groove with classic corner embellishment was added to group the photos into a collection.

Sharing real vintage photos is a sweet gesture that will delight the recipient. These photos will be admired by house guests and will be passed down for generations.

Custom framed baby photo montage
Note the elegant v-groove in the solid color core mats.

“Vintage is Now” Day 5-1957 Snapshot restored, enlarged and beautifully framed

Posted by on in Custom Framing, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now
Wedding snapshot restoration and enlargement
1957 Curtis Hall Wedding Snapshot restoration and enlargement

“Vintage is Now” day #5 features a 1957 snapshot of a groom, his sister and parents at Curtis Hall Arboretum just outside of Philadelphia.  Sixty years later, Curtis Hall is still a lovely place to celebrate a wedding! It’s a great photo and a favorite vintage photo project.

We scanned the original candid snapshot, digitally cleaned up the cracks and abrasions and enlarged it. We thoughtfully framed it to give as a gift to the young lady on the left with the great hair style!  Are you looking for a unique gift for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day? Look through an old wedding album or search through some shoe boxes of photos. Choose a few and drop by and we will do the rest.

“Vintage is Now”Day 4 -WWII Telegram, Photo & Purple Heart

Posted by on in Custom Framing, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now
Custom Framed Military Telegram, photo and Purple heart
A telegram from 1944. We are glad that this soldier made it home.

Day 4 of “Vintage is Now” features an original telegram, military photo and Purple Heart medal. The telegram was a way of communication before emails and social media. A wartime telegram often brought bad news and was dreaded. We are glad that this soldier recovered and came home from WWII to make a beautiful family.

This project uses an elegant Larson Juhl solid hardwood Cranbrook frame. It’s made in the USA and is classic and timeless.  We created this project years ago and the simple design is still fresh.   A engraved brass nameplate helps tell the rest of the story. This is a piece that will be handed down for generations. Thanks to all who serve in our Military.

“Vintage is Now” Day 3- World War II Group Photo Restoration

Posted by on in Custom Framing, For the Community, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now
Photo Restoration
Photo restoration of a photo stuck to glass.

Photo restoration is a service offered at Whispering Woods Gallery. This group photo from Fort Bragg 1942 came to us without a mat and in an old frame. It had been stored and it sustained water damage. The photo was adhered to the glass in some areas. If we tried to separate the photo from the glass, it would rip. We scanned the photo through the glass, fixed the blemishes digitally and then printed a new copy for our customer. A solid color core mat and new frame were selected. This was a gift for our customer’s son who also served in the Armed Forces.

Water Damaged Photo
Water Damaged Photo Before

“Vintage is Now” Day 2 – Vintage 60’s black and white candid trio

Posted by on in Custom Framing, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now
Vintage photos 1960’s
Traveling back to 1968

This is a trio of original black and white photos taken in 1968 of a five year old in Atlantic City, NJ.  Whispering Woods Gallery framed the project  in the late 1980’s and it still looks great due to conservation framing practices.  The simple classic framing lets the viewer focus on the subject matter. The glossy black lacquer frame adds a touch of whimsy to the project. The neutral solid core rag mat still looks perfect, thirty years later.

The photographer not only captured the personality of the child but also the details of the house. Note the second door handle for little people. The fig tree, the texture of the siding, the architectural details all bring back memories of the summer of 1968.

Do you have a candid photo from the past? Stop by and we will frame it to look great for you and future generations.

 

“Vintage is Now” Day 1 – Framed 1950’s Wedding Cake Topper

Posted by on in Custom Framing, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now
Framed Wedding Photos and Cake Topper
Mom and Dad’s framed Wedding Photos and Cake Topper

If you have visited Whispering Woods Gallery, you probably have seen this piece displayed on our framing example wall. It’s one of my all time favorite projects. It consists of two wedding photos of my parents and their original wedding cake topper.  Although I have their original wedding portrait hanging in my home, these photos were generated by scanning from my parent’s wedding album and printing new photos. It’s a smart idea to check for permission by the photographer/studio first before reproducing photographs.

The black frame is a simple yet deep dimensional frame by Larson Juhl. The mat was a textured silk top mat with a black inner mat. The bride and groom sit on a white moire platform, similar to the cake. The TruVue Museum glass looks virtually invisible. The silver engraved nameplate has my parent’s names and their wedding date.

This is a piece that will be passed down for generations. My Mom saved her wedding cake topper because it was precious to her. Everyday I view this piece and see the love that  started our family. If we didn’t have a well preserved wedding album, this project would not have been possible. Make sure that your digital files will withstand the challenges of new technology. We look forward to preserving your memories at Whispering Woods Gallery.

Framed Vintage Photograph Projects

Posted by on in Custom Framing, Photo Restoration, Vintage

Vintage photographs are one of the most popular items that we frame at Whispering Woods Gallery. Sometimes we digitally restore an older photo and print out a new copy to frame. We combine vintage photographs with an item such as a military medal, calling card, piece of jewelry or some other type of memento. Sometimes we just frame the original photo. We carefully determine your needs when you meet with us. The frame can be simple or ornate. The style can be traditional, contemporary or transitional. We have a wide variety of frames and every project is unique.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

West Coast Art and Frame 2017

Posted by on in Art, Custom Framing, For the Community, Photo Restoration

Every year framers from all over the world gather at the West Coast Art and Frame Show in Las Vegas for five days of classes, vendor exhibits and networking to strengthen our industry. I just returned with fabulous new ideas and a few awards too.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

 

 

 

The Power of a Photo

Posted by on in Custom Framing, For the Community, Photo Restoration
Vintage Photo
What a meaningful photo of our Dad!

As a 30 year veteran of the picture framing industry, I understand the power of a cherished photo. It stirs up emotions, brings back memories, shows love, and shares pride. My clients rely on me to create a display of their favorites in the best way possible to preserve, enhance and enjoy. Let me share one of my favorite photos. The original is stained and tattered but brings back so many precious memories.

My Dad, Harold Gittlen, loved to pitch horseshoes. Spending our summers in Atlantic City, Dad enjoyed setting up matches with friends, neighbors and sometimes a few guys just passing by. At the end of the summer there would be a championship with trophies. Pre man-cave, this was his “guy activity.” No worries, he was always there for us.

Ok, so let me tell you about this photo. It was taken in the early seventies on the Boston Avenue Beach.  In the mist, you can just make out the “pipe” which marked our place on the beach.  As you can see, Dad has just pitched a ringer!  That just didn’t happen, it took much practice, patience, determination and dedication. This is how Dad lived his life. In addition he probably had a bit of marksmanship skill too.

To everyone who knew my Dad, this photo just shouts out, “Harold!” I don’t know who took this photo, but the photographer captured my Dad and the moment perfectly. I’ve framed this for both of my siblings and they display it proudly.

Do you have a special photo? It’s more than a small image to view on your phone now and then. Stop by Whispering Woods Gallery to have your photo preserved and protected to enjoy every day.

image