Original: http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dadage16backupup1.jpg
Restored: http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=age16colorhp5.jpg


Original: http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dadinarmydt3.jpg
Restored: http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=colorarmyts4.jpg

These are two of the few touch-ups and colorations that I've done. I'm a big newbie... I've done maybe 5 total of these touchups. Let me know what you think and where things can be improved.

I'm also new here and I'm very impressed with all the knowledge and information in the forums and such. Right now, my wife is in law school and I work full-time. I'm hoping if I can get good enough at this I can do some freelance stuff with it. If you know of any connections or freelance info let me know or PM (if this board has private messages) me.

Thanks,
JohnnyC

You've done a brilliant job of it, Johnny.

Maureen :)

G'day Johny!
Pretty good work there, considering you are new to this :thumbsup:
Afew things I noticed mostly in the first colourization:
The portrait from the get go is quite soft/blurry, sharpening it up some BEFORE you colour it will make a big difference to your final result.
There is significant grey fringing (along hairline etc) bluring the edges of your selection masks (click on mask, select blur tool in tools palette and blur away!) or apply gaussian blur to the entire mask by alt(opt for Mac)-clicking on the mask, select all, Gaussian Blur (not too much, just enough to get an effective colour blend). I could elaborate more but I am pressed for time at the mo...I'll try to post more detail later on. You are doing great, keep a-practisin' and check out the TUTORIALS (http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/) on this site.
Cheers for now

Used high pass filter a couple of times and then adjusted color and saturation. Also used Level adjustment.

Well done indeed ..

My initial impression is that the background on the first restored photograph confused the senses a little. This may just be me, but the shadows and darker tonings are on the right hand side of the image (right hand looking at the photo) but the darker background is on the left. I'm finding that the brighter, stronger blue on the left side is a little in conflict with the delicate shadings of the subject.

I'd be inclined to take a look at moderating the left hand side and keeping it a little more even with the right and letting the subject take centre stage.

All the best :)

leanan