Photo Adoptions

→ Photo Adoption requests should be sent to careforsandy (at) gmail.com.
 → If English is not your first language, ask us to simplify our instructions!
→ Do NOT begin a restoration without first reading these instructions in full.
 → Do NOT send adoption requests via Flickr or Facebook.
→ Do NOT submit adoption requests unless you are a registered volunteer. 
→ Do NOT ever drag images from our albums to restore. 
→ Do NOT ever crop, rotate or resize files nor convert to CMYK. No exceptions!
→ You have up to 3 months to complete each restoration.
→ Please review our restoration toolbox tips for swifter restoration approvals.

NOTE: CARE for Sandy has grown much faster than anticipated. Like you, we also have regular full-time jobs as well as family commitments. Current response time for photo adoptions? 3-7 days. Sometimes longer if staff is backlogged due to on-premise scanning events. We're working on improving the former. Thanks for your patience!

STEP #1 - BROWSE OUR ALBUMS

  1. ADOPT ME! (Most Cherished) Mixed skill-levels + Color/B&W
  2. ADOPT ME! (Top 2-10 Advanced) Color/B&W
  3. ADOPT ME! (Top 2-10 Intermediate) Color/B&W
  4. ADOPT ME! (Top 2-10 Beginner) Color/B&W
  5. ADOPT ME! (Advanced Color)
  6. ADOPT ME! (Advanced B&W)
  7. ADOPT ME! (Intermediate Color)
  8. ADOPT ME! (Intermediat B&W)
  9. ADOPT ME! (Beginner Color)
  10. ADOPT ME! (Beginner B&W)

Note that our identical Flickr albums will let you browse thumbnails, rather than one-by-one slideshows. Browse our website or Flickr albums to select which images appeal to you. Please prioritize "Most Cherished" photos. These are images which families have indicated matter the absolute most, no matter how many have been submitted. ADOPT ME! (Top 2-10) images have been designated by families as most cherished runner-ups, should our Most Cherished album be depleted. That said, you may freely choose images from any album which matches your respective skill level and interest.

*Please be honest about your capabilities! Do not request Intermediate or Advanced images unless you truly possess the requisite skills with which to render a professional-quality restoration. Start with a less challenging image, then work your way up!

STEP #2 - SHARE YOUR PREFERRED PHOTO SELECTION(S) VIA E-MAIL

To prevent overlapping selections, please request 3-4 images to work with. You will not be sent 3-4 high-res files. You will only be sent ONE high-res image to restore — until and unless you've proven to us that you're skilled enough and timely enough to take on batch adoptions. To do so locate the image name located below each photo. Cut-and-paste these names as a numbered list into the body of your e-mail. Provide a brief description of the photo to make sure your requests align. *Do not send multiple e-mails for multiple images. One e-mail will suffice.

Here's an example of what this should look like:

STEP #3 - PREPARE E-MAIL SUBJECT LINE

Your e-mail subject line should contain 3 components. How you title your e-mail is ESSENTIAL!!! Proper naming will help us keep hundreds of volunteers and thousands of photos organized. Place only one image title in your subject line, that of your #1 select (rather than 3-4). Please do not stray from the following guidelines:

Subject: I CHOOSE THIS ONE ||| image name (your #1 choice) ||| image folder name

*Example of proper way to fill in a subject field when making an adoption request.

STEP #4 - AWAIT SELECTION APPROVAL

Adoption requests tend to be answered with greater speed than RESTORATION COMPLETE e-mails. It will probably take us 3-10 days respond. We're working on improving the former. (Each request is fulfilled manually, and takes on average 10 minutes, per.) You WILL eventually be sent a link to a file containing the highest-res version of your available image selection.

We're currently providing download links via Google Drive. All files will be jpgs, and won't ever be unreasonably large. We'll simultaneously remove your select from its original folder and place it in Adopted! paired with your first name, last initial and the (xx/xx/xx) date on which it was sent.

Once received you may begin your restoration. If all of your selects have already been adopted (which is unlikely), we'll ask you to submit 3-4 additional selects. Please do not EVER attempt to begin restoration on ANY file until we have sent e-mail confirmation. Website drags are not permitted!!!

A confirmed response containing your approved selection will look like this:

STEP #5 - PROCEED WITH RESTORATION + PERSONALIZED EXTENSIONS

One of our most important restoration requests: Do not EVER rename any original, provided file, nor convert to CMYK. Make sure that the file name matches our naming conventions at all times! Meticulous record-keeping will be essential for archiving the 1,000s of photos we expect to receive. Here's what you need to know:

When you request a file it will first look something like this:

dk_rockaways_112012_001_mc_cr.jpg

We won't explain what each element stands for, but trust us, they're all important.

Now on to YOU. We want to keep track of who works on what and in what capacity, so we're going to ask you to add on a few extensions to your original, provided file name. File over-riding is a major issue we're hoping to avoid. Your working file needs _RIP (Restoration In Progress), _yourinitials, yourversion#. Lee Kelly's working files will look something like this:

dk_rockaways_112012_001_mc_cr_RIP_LKv1.jpg

dk_rockaways_112012_001_mc_cr_RIP_LKv1.psd

Please also refrain from making arbitrary cosmetic changes. For all you know that foot you've been tempted to remove may be the last remaining 'image' of a loved one. That pot you're dying to clone away may have been where dad hid mom's wedding ring. That bag or bush or beer can may have significance we're not aware of. It's our job to restore these photos, albeit not play 'God'. Additional reminders:


→ Please review our restoration toolbox page which lists additional technique tips for swifter restoration approvals.

STEP #6 - SUBMIT RESTORATION FOR APPROVAL

So you've read this page? And do not see any problematic areas in your restoration outlined on this page that might result in delays or requests for amendments? Great! It's time to submit your restored image as a flattened, optimized jpg. (No need to send your layered file unless specifically requested. Do not send psds or tifs.)

Note that we no longer accept e-mail attachments as large files have been overwhelming our limited inbox space. Our preferred mode of sharing for those of you with gmail accounts? Google Drive.

Click here and here to learn how to use Google Drive.

We also accept files via personal ftps, yousendit, WeTransfer and Dropbox — or any file exchange service of your choosing. *Download links which expire are discouraged.

Please make sure you've followed our naming conventions! Please do not display any CARE for Sandy images on your personal website or portfolio unless you have requested and received permission to do so. Please include which name you'd like us to reference and a personal website or portfolio url for crediting your photo. (Brownie points for listing this info in the file's spotlight, Command "i" area.) You may also add a short bio for our Facebook wall. If you wish to remain anonymous, indicate this as well. Please also let us know your restoration is ready by typing RESTORATION COMPLETE ||| image name — in the subject line of an e-mail, so that we know to expect your file. Incorrect subject lines result in delayed responses. Here's a proper sample:

(Many of our volunteers have outstanding credentials, but we may ask that amendments be made to your restored image as we're seeking high-quality, semi-pro to pro results. 50% have required moderate to major improvements. 85% have required minor improvements. We'll let you know accordingly.)

STEP #7 - PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK

You have just made a Sandy family very happy. So many have lost so much! Smiles and restored photographs are priceless. We'll be sending your restored file to the family it belongs to, posting your Before/After restorations here as well as (eventually) on our Facebook profile. Whether or not you've received feedback on your RIP(s), you may now choose additional images to restore, following this page's instructions anew. Thank you for participating!

xoxox CARE for Sandy xoxox