We have over 26,000 images in Zenfolio. From scans pictures taken in 1900, to 30 megapixels digital 'negatives'.

in 2012, when we joined Zenfolio, the images were JPEGs with a max size of 1500 pixels. These images were mostly Out Of the Camera JPEGs, or the conversion of TIFFs (from scans). As RAW became available, with the Canon S50 for example, we started to shoot RAW and used Photoshop Elements (version 1.0) or Picassa for conversion to 1500 wide JPEGs.

We also started with Capture One (version 2.0, I believe).

In 2022, we have now version 22 of Capture One and some Artificial Intelligence based software to correct or enhanced flawed pictures.

Post processing these older images may illustrate some changes from the originals in Zenfolio.

It is worth considering those differences. These might be subtle, like noise reduction or enhanced sharpness. These examples can illustrate how the technology is helping older pictures to come better (in the eyes of the beholder). Sometimes, a change to the RAW processor may lead to better whites and this is illustrated below.

First, taken in 1992, scanned in 2015 as TIFF (Flat bed scanner and specialized scanning software) from a print, further processed in Capture One and uploaded into Zenfolio about the same year:

and processed again in Capture One from the same TIFF, with a minor White adjustment and ran through Topaz Autopilot.

Notice the colour differences, the more subtle sharpening and excellent noise suppression for the bottom picture. The original, in Zenfolio looked 'harsh' with excess sharpening and contrast. 

The objective here is NOT to make any point about this or that software, only to highlight the possibilities for improvements if so desired.

In the same album: Original in Zenfolio:

Further 'magic' as above:

In these two examples, NOISE was a real issue. Not well controlled here, in Capture One, and better managed in Topaz, making the AI processed picture more pleasant to the eyes. Is AI software making the cut?

The real question is: IS THIS WORTH IT?

It all depends. In a few galleries, the difference are stunning and worth the effort. This process takes time, but it gives you the pleasure of rediscovering valuable images lost in noise or with the wrong colour.