This image was basically my first foray into digital photo restoration: customising a Classic Capri. My thanks to Vauxford, for making this available.
I had been concentrating on what we here like to refer to as “specials”. For example, different backgrounds, or people added/removed from pictures. I’d never considered repairing photos and this example of customising a Classic Capri doesn’t seem like a candidate. However, the work involved stood me in good stead …
Why the Ford Consul Classic Capri?
I chose this car to see whether I could make a street car into a hot rod. Since I’d always had a soft spot for these, I gave it a go.
My intent had been to make subtle changes, but the respray killed that idea.
I retained the white roof, but changed the colour to green. I also, gave it bigger wheels on the back. That meant changing the angle of the whole car, so that it didn’t look odd. The stance is very seventies, where it was a case of, “To hell with the handling, jack up the rear suspension and whack some huge boots on the back.”
I recreated some of the road, kerb and background to fill the holes created by the car’s new stance. I also added the “go faster” stripe as an homage to the British custom car scene of the seventies. Okay, it was stolen from “Starsky and Hutch”, but at least the car is appropriate. Many British cars appeared with similar markings and frankly looked awful.
The first step to restoration
I have released this under the category of “Artwork”, but the image needed multiple “repairs” thanks to the alterations. It’s what gave me the idea to get more into photo restoration …
So, what began as a hobby, has become so much more. Since creating this image, I have literally restored hundreds of photos. While I still like to make art, I tend to concentrate on fixing other people’s photographs.
I felt I had to create Digital Photo Doctor, in the hopes it would take me to the next level from just being an enthusiastic amateur.
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