I'm curious as to how any of you would handle this photo. I've scanned it a dozen ways with a dozen settings and can get nothing more "clear" that this. Would appreciate any input.

Thanks,

Tom

Hi, there. :)


What scale/res did you scan this in at?

Did you try scanning at 200% scale, 600dpi, and 16bit? That can help bring in some detail and colour information that might be missed in a smaller scan.

What scanner do you use? (Make/model)


Also, are you able to post a larger image here? The one you have is a little too small to work with.

Well I noticed that the facial features of the lady were quite flat; being all about the same amount of luminosity. I ran the cursor across the forehead and did notice a slight difference with luminance running from about 203 to 217. So I ran a curves adjustment layer with two points. 216 input to 216 output and a second point at input 202 to output 173 or something like that. That increased the contrast between these small differences. That may be helpful in this case.

Thanks for the replies. I will rescan it at a larger scale. However, I tried and tried to get this file to post and never could get it within the acceptable size range without it being so small. Tried every way I know at least. Any suggestions would be helpful! Thanks,

Tom

I assume you are using the save for web dialog to make a jpg for the forum. If so, what I tend to do once there is:

1. Click on the image size tab and make my picture around 800 pixels wide
2. Then click on the little gray arrow (see where I have the red arrow) and select Optimize to File Size
3. I usually put 95 k to fit within the guidelines of the site. Then save.

If when I put in the 95k file size the image quality isn't very good, I then adjust the image size some more. You might want to try this and then reupload your image.

CLICK HERE (http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/image-help/9077-size-quality-attached-images.html#post75171)

Here it is again. Mabye this is a little better. Thanks for all the input!

Yeah a nice attachment. Well I did the same with her. With him I decreased the contrast again using curves. I used neat image to remove the noise and the healing brushes in various places.

Hi,

in my opinion, there isn't much that can be done with this image ... :o:

Rather 'flat' as Phil pointed put, and with 'blocked' shadows...

You can go only so far in lifting the shadows as, from a certain point, you only uncover solid grey blocks containing no details whatsoever ... (Attachment 2)

Anyway I used Curves and Levels on the shadows and Heal Brush for removing the spots...

Thank you Flora, and thank all of you for taking a look at this for me. I'm still rather new to this art and often unsure as to whether or not I've done all I can do with a particular picture. This is what I've done so far, and now I think it's about as far as I will go, given the excellent input I've had here. Thanks again!

Tom

Very GOOD job Tom!!... I do like your attention to detail such as the watch. Perhaps you could hang around and give us a few tips.

Butch

nicely done, flora. i like how you handled the over-shadowing.

craig

You are welcome Tom!

I think you did a great job with this picture!!! :thumbsup:
Watch and veil are a bit too sharp and detailed and don't really fit in with the rest of the image ... but it's only my opinion. :happy:

Thanks, Craig!! :pleased: