Removing photo stuck to broken glass

[skellum]

Been asked to repair a picture which was framed and then broken accidently. Problem is the photo is stuck to the broken glass ( Why don't people use a proper mount in the first place ?    ). I have done the usual google check which came up with two suggestions.  1. Soak in warm water and part chemical solution ( which I can't remember the name of )   2. Place in a freezer bag, freeze then dry gently with a hairdrier on low while picking of the glass with tweezers.  Both ideas sound risky and I won't be trying them yet as it has sentimental value to the person who asked if anything could be done with it.

I have scanned the photo and as a last resort will attempt to correct it in photoshop but that will take forever. I once repaired a badly damaged colour photo by converting it to black & white which seemed to make the job easier but as you see from the attached picture there is a lot of detail in the background so it is always going to be hard work so I really need to get the glass off to make any sort of reasonable job.

Any ideas appreciated.

[Colin]

Dave, I suspect it will be a challenge to get it off without leaving some of it behind on the glass. Rather than freezing I would have thought warming would have better results allowing the chemicals to soften slightly. Photoshop and the healing tool look like favourite.

[krennon]

try contacting one of the museums such as the V&A or try the amateur photographer forum AP ran a feature last year on a guy who repairs and restores old photos who worked at one of the museums but I can't remember which one or the guys name

[skellum]

Managed to get this job done today. ( The picture was stuck to the glass )

With the customers permission I soaked the picture & broken glass in a plastic container half filled with warm water. Today after two days soaking I finally managed to get all the glass off. Dried the picture then scaned it again. Odd light tear here and there but repairable in photoshop. Not the best picture to work with but an improvement on what we had.

So the customer will be pleased and so am I as my nearest competitor ( Who apparently does not like me, Its a bit of a territory thing plus he went to College to learn Photograhy and gives the impression that he his better than most of us round here ) had the picture for a ages then said it could not be done..

So should any of you come across this problem you know what to try..  No chemicals just warm water and patience

[Alfonso_Frisk]

Well done Dave
A great job and I'm certain your customer will be very happy with the result.

[Oldboy]

Well done Dave. 

I think I might have put some liquid soap in the water as well. 

[irv_b]

What a brilliant job you managed there Dave. They should be well pleased and I hope the other guy gets to here that you could do something that he couldn't with high flying uni education

[skellum]

Well done Dave. 

I think I might have put some liquid soap in the water as well. 

I had thought of that but was worried about chemical reaction. Would of tried it if first attempt didn't work. Even though I had the customers permission I would of hated to ruin the picture for him with no end result so I was super carefull.

[Oldboy]

Well done Dave. 

I think I might have put some liquid soap in the water as well. 

I had thought of that but was worried about chemical reaction. Would of tried it if first attempt didn't work. Even though I had the customers permission I would of hated to ruin the picture for him with no end result so I was super carefull.

Oh I quite agree, which was why I didn't suggest it in the first place. I would only have used a drop of liquid soap, so when the water was stirred it wouldn't produce bubbles, but would have been enough to soften the paper. 

[Eileen]

Good work there Dave! 

[Colin]

Well done, great result.

[Hinfrance]

You're a genius 

[Reinardina]

You are a genius, but I am more pleased, you managed to do what the competition couldn't!

Happy New Year!

[ABERS]

What is it they sat

Who Dares Wins!

[Beaux Reflets]

  Put the before and after shots in a mini display in your shop window on top of a don cap    -  Nice job  Enjoy the bubbly  and dress the bottle with brightly coloured ribbons to balance the display