Q: The original image is dark and unclear — can you make it brighter and clear?

A: It depends on the state of the photo; however, we can adjust this to some degree. Brightness adjustments are free of charge.

Q: Can you fix old and torn photos?

A: If a photo has damaged or folded parts which are a part of the image, we can delete them to the degree that you can hardly see them.

Even for old and deteriorated photos, we will restore them as much as possible before processing them. However, if there are scratches over the entire photo, or mold, we might not be able to restore it. Photo restoration is free of charge.

Q: Can you make the product brighter than the finishing sample paper?

A: Yes, we can.

We will adjust the image until you are satisfied based on your requests, such as making it brighter, darker, sharper, softer, or removing wrinkles. However, since the finishing sample paper is just printed paper and actual Millennium Photos and Stainless Photos are metallic sculpture, please understand in advance that impressions such as of brightness might change slightly.

Q: I want to have exactly the same brightness as that on the finishing sample paper.

A: Unfortunately, it is difficult to do this.

Since the finishing sample paper is made of paper, it is impossible for a metal sculpture to have the same appearance as the sample paper. The reflection rates of paper and metal are totally different. Millennium Photos and Stainless Photos sparkle by reflecting light; however, the finishing sample paper does not. Also, Millennium Photos look different depending on the angle of the light. It is impossible to portray the finishing of a Millennium Photo precisely on paper.

Please bear in mind that the finishing sample paper is just a sample.

Q: Can you perform numeric tone adjustment with density or gamma, or precise color management with an ICC profile?

A: No, we cannot.

Tones in Millennium Photos and Stainless Photos are formed with concave and convex shapes. This is, in principle, a totally different method of reproducing an image from many kinds of photos which reproduce tones by putting density information onto a paper surface. Therefore, we cannot use tools such as measurement color tools and reflection density measurement tools, which are based on tone reproduction methods which are based on continuous tones in ordinary photos and printing dimension proportions, and we cannot use a color management system based on measurement values generated by such tools.

Q: Can you not know the tone beforehand? Isn’t there any way to get the tone I want?

A: We can perform a procedure in which we create an actual Millennium Photo for a test, then you can give us instructions such as for brightness after checking the test results, after which we will reflect them in the second product. In such a case, as long as the second product is for the same image, we can offer a 25% discount from standard prices for the first and second products (meaning that the discount will be half the standard price for one product). If you approve the first test result, of course you can pay only the standard price for a single product.

However, since all products are handmade, we cannot control them through numerical adjustment of output data in the way that can be achieved with general printed photos, ink jet printing and printing from a printer; and the repeat accuracy and result reproducibility are not high. Also, due to their features, the appearance of Millennium Photo and Stainless Photo products changes depending on the angle they are viewed from and the environment they are viewed in, and it is; therefore, impossible to measure their brightness objectively. Brightness and darkness adjustment can involve no more than a guideline target.

Q: Can you make the wavy lines or curved lines on a photo unnoticeable?

A: You can choose the background base pattern from several different types. Radiating and check patterns are also available. Please see here for photo background patterns.

The background will be expressed with straight lines and dots for a Stainless Photo, and there will be less glaring; however, the three-dimensional effect, which is a feature of Millennium Photo, cannot be achieved.

Q: You say that I can choose the background from radiating, concentric circle and check patterns, but is it not possible to reproduce the original photo background?

A: You can see the background as well as the face of the subject. Thanks to Millennium Photo’s proprietary technology, we can put the background on a base pattern, and give it a shining effect which is not available with other products. Since it is difficult to see this through the internet or in a paper print, please look at a sample of an actual product.

Q: The back of the product is marked “MILLENNIUM PHOTO” — can you remove it?

A: The “MILLENNIUM PHOTO” logo is a mark which clearly shows that it is our product. This is a mark which also guarantees our quality; therefore, we always engrave the logo.