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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Photograph Resources, Tips, Tutorials => Topic started by: Gadget on Thursday 16 March 06 10:47 GMT (UK)
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I look in on this board quite often because I'm very interested in old photos and in restoration work. I'm often tempted to help but resist.
I've been doing restoration work for about 16 years or so - 15 digitally and before that in the 'old fashioned' way - professionally and as a volunteer for a local heritage group (about 600 here). However, now I can only manage my own or for very special friends.
The reason is that it's made my eyes 'funny' :( I've always had sight problems but now have to have hospital check-ups every year. My eyes get sore and watery and my vision goes blurry after about 30 mins. I have always had a very large monitor and shade but to no avail.
So, for all those avid restorers, please be careful. Don't spend all day at the work. Look away often. Go for a walk to change your focal length.
Sight is very very precious.
Gadget
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Thank you for that Gadget - you dont know what you have got til there is something wrong with it. I know that my eyes have got worse steadily over the years but the year I got my first PC my eyes took a huge leap for the worse.
Anna x
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Yes Anna. It's not just photo restoration - it's all the spreadsheets, etc. that we use. We then focus about 30 - 40 cms away which is not good for any length of time.
Take care of your peepers. You do some lovely subtle tinting.
Gadget :-*
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Hi Gadget,
Very sensible advice mate. As someone who was totally
blind at 18yrs I regard my sight as one of my most precious gifts.
In fact if I get rain on my glasses or if they get dirty I get really
annoyed that the quality of my sight has dropped.
Again good advice please take notice.
Tomkin
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Hi Gadget,
I also think that with restoration work you seem to use the mouse or pen for a long time in a similar position.
For the past few days I have had "shoulder ache" which I am sure is due to the time I have spent restoring photos - must take a break more often - ALL of us.
Cheers
Keith
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My thanks to you as well Gadget, you recently removed my creases and I`m so grateful to you :)
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I'd go along with the advice and add
it's not just your eyes that need regular breaks it's your mouse hand as well.
After 15 odd years using a computer at work I have a twitchy mouse finger and occasionally after prolonged use shooting pains up my wrist. RSI, I do not want!
Take regular breaks and try to break up long periods of repetitive work by doing something else for a bit.
Kerry
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It's also the left (graphic pen) hand Kerry and Keith ;)
I had my opthalmic clinic appointment last Friday and, because I've been following my own advice, my eyes have improved.
Not sure whether this evenings little banter will have done much good though ;)
Gadget
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I never needed glasses for full time use until I started working with computers, now I wear lens and without them I can't see clearly beyond 6 inches!
I swear it was computer's that made the problem worse!
Kerry
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I used to wear contact lens but that made my eye condition worse :( :'(
Now I just use photochromic specs for driving and watching the tele. Otherwise, I like the lovely blur that the world is - much better that hard focus 8) Close up I'm fine. I also find that focusing on the horizon helps a lot but, if you live in a built up area, that's often difficult.
Gadget
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I know what you mean about hard focus!
I've been very lucky in that I've had lens now for 12 years with no problems at all except at hay fever time. That reminds me I must get a new pair of glasses, you never know when you might need them.
Kerry
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Gadget, Do you have an LCD monitor (flat panel) or a CRT screen (glass)? I ask because glass screens like on my TV and the old computer used to give me migranes. I have no trouble whatsoever though with my new LCD screen.
Andrew
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Hi Andrew
I've got all that's modern but it's actually my eyes not the stuff. I've been going to eye clinics since I was a little girl. I still remember the darkened rooms and drops :(
I thought I 'd got it sorted but then when I began doing arty/ photography things on computers and staring at a screen while I drew for about 10 hours a day, things went haywire.
I've never had migraine though and I gather that flickering and tthe like can cause it.
Take care now, eyes are very precious
Gadget
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Hi All,
My "Shoulder Ache" is still there - so make sure YOU take a rest - more often than I did!!
Cheers
Keith
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Keith
Take it very easy - it could get worse if you antagonise it by overuse.
All this looking to get my temp home page for my website up has played havoc with my eyes - very sore and watery and I've got swollen ankles from sitting :( :(
I'm going to have tomorrow off - you do the same. Let the youngsters have a go 8) 8) 8)
Gadget - on night shift :)
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My eye's are already a little shot Gadget 8), but i will take note of your Health warning.
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My "Shoulder Ache" is still there - so make sure YOU take a rest - more often than I did!!
God advice Keith ... I'm just taking a break from the ironing ;D
Just been looking through the posts ... wonderful work by all as usual...well done.
Su
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Hi All :),
Before starting a family, I was a Graphic Designer sitting in front of a computer, 7 hours a day, using Quark and Photoshop. I always had my eyes checked (especially when the employer had to pay ;D)
In the nearly 7 years since my daughter came along, my eyesight has gone down hill badly, now it's out with my glasses when there's the slightest small print about.
Pipkim ;)
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Oh Pipkim
I've gone all funny, just remembering it all ::) ::) ::)
I used to do a lot with Excel spreadsheets for a break from it :(
Gadget
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An optician once said to me that only short sighted people sat at computers doing design and I was an oddity, because I was long-sighted. ???
I always thought what a silly thing to say. ;D
Pipkim
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Pipkim
Huh ??? :-\
Kerry ;D
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Hi Again,
I find it's not the eyesight whilst peering into the screen that's the problem, but the neck ache from concentrating and not moving much.
Must look at my screen position!!! ;D
Pipkim
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Must look at my screen position!!! ;D
Pipkim
Anyone know of a site which gives advice on the correct position of everything??
Cheers
Keith
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You could try Googling ergonomics, Keith. But i've read this week about various positions for sitting at computers, wrist supports, mouse beans, etc. Basically, you should have a comfortable upright chair with good back and thigh support, be able to put your feet flat on the floor and view the monitor without bending (just straightened up my back ;) ).
Get up and walk around often, stretch, breath deeply...................
Gadget - feeling very pleased with herself because of recent eye tests 8)
but angry that my DSL line has just gone off - rain and gales. Will ahve to wait for it to flicker back to life :(
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Hi All,
Gave my shoulder a rest for a few days - used my other had - good job I am left handed and therefore more able to do that than you right handers :o :o
Started back this morning using my left hand - it went all shaky - so think I had better forget it for a bit.
SO PLEASE TAKE PRECAUTIONS BEFORE NOT AFTER ::) ::)
Keith
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Naughty Keith, you've not been listening to us have you!!! ;D ;D
Seriously, give it a rest and hopefully it will quickly recover. :)
Kerry
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Started back this morning using my left hand - it went all shaky - so think I had better forget it for a bit.
SO PLEASE TAKE PRECAUTIONS BEFORE NOT AFTER ::) ::)
Keith
Morning Keith
Now there are other things that can make hands a bit shaky ;D
But take care all the same :)
I'm going to do some filing today - have a great stock of BMD certs and husband's family's files all over the desk that I need to use to do my website. So I'll also give my eyes a rest 8)
Gadget
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Hello Folks,
I thought I would join in on the conversation and add my bit.
Don't blame every ailment on computers , it is important to have a screen in good condition , i.e. a nice sharp image.
Once you are over thirty , your eyes start to deteriorate anyway , so get regular checks.
If you are doing a lot of typing , then you should be square to the pc , sat upright , arms supported . Screen level should be just below eye level.
Do not have sunlight , directly on the screen or your eyes will be forever trying to compensate. Likewise , do not face the daylight without it being muted.
When I am attempting photo restoration , I actually prefer to sit back from the screen at a comfortable distance (when using the mouse).
Don't forget , you only get one pair of eyes !
:o :o :o Jim :o :o :o
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I agree entirely with your summary Jim. well said.
The only thing that I would emphasize in your excellent comments is to have
regular eye checks at a good optician. ( Like Doctors & Dentists some are better than
than others.)
Tomkin
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Me too ... ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Poll
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I agree Jim. Good advice.
Barbara
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I wish my 2 boys would take note of this very useful info. both comp. geeks, games mostly....terrible how many hrs. they spend. they are not little one is 21 the other is 27.
Your advice is great.
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My eldest son's vision was so good that originally the optician thought he was long sighted, but he wasn't because he could read very small print too. The optician said he'd never seen anyone with such perfect sight. Now aged
44 oops he's 46, he has to wear contact lens after 20+ years using a computer at work.
This problem must be well known as employers have to pay for sight tests for all employees who use a computer daily.
Lizzie
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My father used eye exercises to keep his eyes good for flying...
Possibly http://www.wikihow.com/Exercise-Your-Eyes ?
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For neck/shoulder/back I find yoga to be fairly good.. 10 mins when you wake for me.