Attached is a family photo taken by one of those traveling photographers sometime around 1904. (The little girl on the bottom right is my grandmother, Mary Delia Clark.) I can deal with the scratches and the damage everywhere but the sky.

I have several photographs that show a lot of damage in the light areas, in this case the sky. (Yes, a couple of those marks between the trees ARE fingerprints left long ago.) There is so little "good" information there that I don't know where to start. The last photograph I did with a lot of light colored damage I ended up replacing the sky with a new one and then blending it. It worked, but I still don't know how to tackle vast swaths of light colored areas that are badly damaged.

Any instruction gratefully recieved!

MJ in Texas

Hi there

Many ways as usual but I just used a channel to make a mask… then I could always adjust as needed. To make the mask I use an overlay brush at about 50 percent. I switched between black and white as needed. Then solid brushes to finish up… The advantage is you can always add or subtract detail from the sky.

Butch

This was just a quick try.

dc

I would keep focus on the family. Just crop any useless details. Something like 40% of that shot is grass.

Thank you, all of you! I've taken your advice and I'm working away on the newly cropped photograph. I have two more questions for you:

1. What IS that on Great-Great-Grandfather McGeehee's chest? He's the Civil War vet in the center of the back row with the great beard. In the white part of his shirt, sort of in the middle, is something dark. I've looked and looked at it and it's either one of those old Bat Masterson sort of ties or it's damage. I can't decide. I'm inclined to think it's a tie as everyone else seems to be outfitted in their best clothes.

2. I spent most of the day - when I should be doing other things, mind you - lovingly restoring this picture. I borrowed Irene's nose to stick on Willie and gave Rosamond some hair extensions. John got his buttons back. I found Martha's hand under a bunch of discoloration. I was absolutely engrossed in the whole process. I tried some new techniques and generally enjoyed myself hugely. I was very surprised to find that the whole day had flown by. Does this happen to you? I'm feeling a bit guilty here :)

I'm off to find something to feed people for dinner. Thanks again for your assistance!!

MJ

Late to the party here, MJ. As far as the sky issue, I'd agree whole-heartedly with zekeode. I'm glad you took that advice. In regards to GGG's attire, I think it's a tie, perhaps a bolo tie. Sounds like you are really enjoying the endeavor. We'd certainly be interested in seeing your finished effort.

I've just uploaded my kinda sorta finished effort to my gallery. Thanks again for your assistance!

MJ

Good choices and good result MJ

Butch

Excellent, MJ. You obviously know what you are doing. Just one little thing -- based on the histogram, you might want to reset the black/white points. The contrast is a tad bit flat.

Thank you, Butch - that was my second Really Bad old photo and I'm almost pleased with the result. It took me forever but I learned a lot!

Lon you were absolutely right about the flat contrast. I went back and jabbed at the histogram and reuploaded the photo.

I have a new nightmare to tackle - someone taped together an old Brownie box photo from the 1920's and I'm going to attempt to digitally remove the tape.

Cheers,

MJ