Apr 26, 2011
76-year-old Chinese Photoshop expert repairs old pictures for free
16 years ago, when he was 60, Baojun Yuan learned how to use Photoshop to make old pictures look like new again.
He says, “My teacher taught me how to repair photos, but he forgot to tell me how to charge.” So now he offers his photo-editing as a free service to folks who can’t afford to have their old pictures retouched professionally.
(via Ubergizmo)
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That’s really cool! But the first thing that came to my mind was did he pay for Photoshop? Probably judgmental of me, sorry. :)
And to add clarity… because China is notorious for pirating software.
He probably did pay for Photoshop (or not, there are free places to pirate it)… but the title said that he does the *service* for free, not that he didn’t pay for anything.
and this matters..why?
Because Photoshop is one of the most-pirated programs, retailing for up to $800, but he’s doing the service for free. I can see the relevance of the question…
judging by the looks of his computer his version of photoshop is probably that old. Excellent work!
*Chuckles* Stereotypes usually begin with a perception that many people have, butin this case, it’s a well-established fact that China pirates software. They will have to change that behavior radically before they accuse people of being judgmental.
My sis taught at a well-known college in China. Her college-issued PC was mostly pirated, including Windows.
It is also a well-known established fact that Americans pirate software. Your point is?
Impressive work — especially the last one.
Pirated or not he does a pretty good job!
Great work indeed! And thanks to everyone for your graciousness.
what an amazing job he did on that last one, truly impressive
He does his work for free for people that can’t afford it and clearly has a great skill and your going to bring up the fact that he ‘probably’ has pirated photoshop? who are you to say that, especially when you have NO clue. Appreciate the mans work instead of trying to find something negative. And pirated or not do you not see the positivity in this? Those photos might not of lasted much longer, especially the last one. So take a minute and think before you speak.
you know what, my bad. I completely misread your comment. I should have thought more before I spoke. But i still have an opinion that you have no idea so why even ask yourself that question? It’s pointless. Just focus on the positivity.
No, you are right, monika. I’d delete my comment if I could. His work is impressive.
I’ve seen this story posted several places over the last few days, but each time I see the images, I’m floored. However he came to have his copy of Photoshop, the man is incredibly talented.
Giving back is universal.
Very impresive work. What makes it even more so is the fact of the guys age and the service he is providing to loads of people. Shame there aren’t more people like him.
And for all the people saying he probably uses a pirate copy of photoshop, maybe he got a deal from the college/school he went to to learn photoshop. Adobe and a lot of the major software companies offer huge discounts to students to get them to use their software when they enter the working world.
It’s funny how people accuse a race for actions such as pirating, thinking their own is high and mighty, and I’m assuming most Americans are making these accusations. People pirate all over the world, ESPECIALLY Americans. Napster ring a bell folks? All in all, there shouldn’t have to be any speculation on how he obtained it.
In any case, on to the real subject at hand. I think this amazing, hell, even a lot of the “Photo Restoration” aren’t even done very well. I think it’s because it lacks a “personal” touch, where an individual can sit there and actually spend some time on it. Where as a machine just runs it through, guesses what goes where etc etc. Not to mention the fact of a free service to give back to the community to save cherished memories is always a great thing.
What’s really funny, Baron, is how you’ve assumed that one poster is American and then used that single instance to make a blanket judgment against an entire nationality. Hypocrisy ring a bell, Baron?
Well, if you click the OP’s name, it does take you through to an organisation’s website based in VA, so Baron’s assumption wasn’t off the mark at all.
Lol there’s more comments about stereotypes than anything else.
You have all got it wrong. The originals are on the right. I think he does a terrible job, especially the last one. Actually, I think someone has messed about with the pictures, possibly with GIMP.
Everyone just assumes he lives in china….
You.. you are the smart one.
This looks shopped…
Ha ha ha ha ha. You all seem to have gotten so indignant about whose racist stereotype is best/worst, you completely missed the embedded ageist stereotype at the heart of the original article. Why shouldn’t a 76 year-old have a computer-related skill? Unless one subscribes to the view that anyone over the age of 60 is axiomatically incompetent with technology, this story is hardly earth-shattering.
im giving that man an award
You’re darn right he paid for Photoshop. It’s a very expensive program.
I’m also a PS expert and do lots of photo restorations myself. I’m only 67.
(I do charge a modest fee)
I’m gone to say to my little brother, that he should also go to see this weblog on regular basis to obtain updated from most recent news.