A project I've been considerng ideas and opinions...

[Gms9810]

I'm considering re-purposing one of my domains, turning it into a free service. My thought is to allow/invite people to send me messed up photos, then I fix them and send them back. I'm not sure if this is a complete waste of time or not.
Almost everybody here has the capability to do this themselves but there are a lot of people who can't because they don't know how. I already am fixing old photos for family and friends so I thought I might offer this for free.
Good idea?
Dumb idea?
Whoop some opinions on me. I'll decide in a week or so after getting some input.

[Victor Osaka]

I used to be professional photo retoucher and on a rare occasion I still do digital retouching and restoration. IMHO, when you offer such services for free do think about those who make their living doing this. I say go for it anyway. But, DO charge something! Even if only at a discount!

[Gms9810]

It's not like I'm planning on doing hundreds or even dozens a month. And as far as the people who do it professionally, great, for those who can afford them, but what about those who can't afford them?

[byroncallas]

What are goals/purposes for this undertaking? For most of us, the normal demands of life would severely limit the number of people it is possible to personally support for free. My thought is to first be clear about goals and how this engagement realistically helps to achieve them. Perhaps consider how much energy is worth putting into this for what particular, realistically rewarding outcomes, and at what scale. (???)

[Gms9810]

That's a valid question.
The goal is just to help people out. I'm retired and have lot of extra time, I have the resources and knowledge to do it, and most of all, I enjoy doing it.

[gxhpainter2]

I'm considering re-purposing one of my domains, turning it into a free service. My thought is to allow/invite people to send me messed up photos, then I fix them and send them back. I'm not sure if this is a complete waste of time or not.
Almost everybody here has the capability to do this themselves but there are a lot of people who can't because they don't know how. I already am fixing old photos for family and friends so I thought I might offer this for free.
Good idea?
Dumb idea?
Whoop some opinions on me. I'll decide in a week or so after getting some input.

Hi Gms9810, I think this is a wonderful idea, there are lots of people, with friends who probably have a treasured photo they would like fixed to be able to hand down, so your service would be a heartfelt treasure for those people, it can't hurt and who knows what will come of it. I would not worry too much about the pro's they have their own market anyway... I have done some a little like that, people know I have a large printer and can take photos and clean them up with PS and print them and mount them and I have done it dozens of times and just charge the cost of materials which was not all that much.. people really appreciated it.

[Gms9810]

Hi Gms9810, I think this is a wonderful idea, there are lots of people, with friends who probably have a treasured photo they would like fixed to be able to hand down, so your service would be a heartfelt treasure for those people, it can't hurt and who knows what will come of it. I would not worry too much about the pro's they have their own market anyway... I have done some a little like that, people know I have a large printer and can take photos and clean them up with PS and print them and mount them and I have done it dozens of times and just charge the cost of materials which was not all that much.. people really appreciated it.

Yes, those are pretty much my thoughts too, it can't hurt, the worst would e a waste of my time making the website. As far as the professionals, what little I hope to do won't affect them in any way, plus people who want professional work will still go to them.

[hildee]

I remember when the internet was for sharing, and so much was free. It was a lot of fun back then. Now everyone is on the bandwagon charging for things. And it all seems a little more tight-fisted. Don't get me wrong, it's a great opportunity. But it's still nice to see someone willing to share their expertise for free. Good on you, Gms9810!

Funny thing, the other day my sis and I were online and she pointed me to a website where a guy fixed shoes (my soles needed fixing). The website was so old and looked awful, all higgledy-piggledy. But you know what? It made me feel nostalgic because that's how it was in "the old days". Now there are so many clinical looking Wordpress sites, they all look the same. This shoe guy's website reminded me of how so many started out and it was a nice feeling, and all his links worked and he made a living from a site that once I would've poo-pooed because it was so much more important to "look professional".

[Gms9810]

Interesting narrative. I agree completely, everybody wants money these days even for simple things. I figure 'People need it, they can't always afford it, I can do it, I enjoy doing it' and not be greedy. I could even put some tacky animated GIFs and put some hideous flashing text to give it that 80s look.

[byroncallas]

Sounds like something to enjoy as long as it is fulfilling, and to stop when it's not. Win-win all around. :-)