Hello everyone,

I need some advice on how to start restoring this faded x-mas picture. It belongs to a friend and I said that I would look at it....its been two months...and I've scanned it, but still just "looking at it". I don't know if I need to paint over a new layer, use a clone brush to paint the faded sections, or remove all of the color and just do a Photoshop "tint" on the picture.

Please let me know how you think I should proceed.

-Juan

Link to file: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2207/2214120169_f15d33048b_b.jpg

I would recommend that you post your best effort and I'm sure members will give you ideas on how to improve the image.

Hello everyone,

I need some advice on how to start restoring this faded x-mas picture. It belongs to a friend and I said that I would look at it....its been two months...and I've scanned it, but still just "looking at it". I don't know if I need to paint over a new layer, use a clone brush to paint the faded sections, or remove all of the color and just do a Photoshop "tint" on the picture.

Please let me know how you think I should proceed.

-Juan

Link to file: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2207/2214120169_f15d33048b_b.jpg

Look at the OPs original here:
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-restoration/19997-best-way-regain-colour.html
then scroll down to Chillins post

This tutorial "Restoring an old photograph" by cameraken has become the starting point for most of my projects:
http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=255

Used in conjunction with this tutorial "Enhancing Details In Unevenly Faded Pictures" by Flora:
http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=65

Here are some other links that may help:

How to Repair a Light Leak or Stain
http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=304

Faded foto
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/image-help/20068-faded-photo-texures-problems.html

Old Faded Color Damaged Photo
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-restoration/19230-old-faded-color-damaged-photo.html

Help on technique for restoring photos that have gone pink
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-restoration/17699-help-technique-restoring-photos-have-gone-pink.html

I was unable to restore the color in the central portion of the photo. So to start with I switched to lab and used an elliptical marquis to equalize the luminosity. After that I colorized the photo.

Fortunately there were some colors available to use.

Frank, thank you, I will definitely try some of the procedures provided by OlBaldy.

OlBaldy, thank you for all that info.

Phil, WOW! what a difference, thank you for your guidance.

Here's a b&w version.


Joe

Check this tutorial called "Getting the Ring Out"..How to repair damage caused by the sun and a picture frame. This tutorial will outline how to repair the discoloration caused by a photo’s uneven exposure to the elements. In this case the uneven exposure was caused by a picture frame.
http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=245

Hello again everyone, thanks for all of the tips! Here is what I have come up with...after several hours. I would like to know how I can improve the color on Santa's suit, and blend the dress color a little bit better (girl on the left).

Thank you all again....


file:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/2229674960_da8c657cef_o.jpg

Well what you can do with the photo you have is to copy the layer twice using multiply blending mode. The to the top layer use Select/Color Range to select the visible Santa's color. Then while the red is selected add a layer mask to that layer. To tweak it further hold down the option/alt key and select a HSL adjustment layer to further adjust the color.

This picture is a charished memory and for that reason, it gave me the desire to see it come alive. I do hope that justice has been done.

In the adjustment through lab, I saw differnt colors. Those are the ones you see now. I moved it in to CMYK to work on colorization. Toggling between layers and tools, the result is waht you see.

Thank you for sharing this memory with us.


Candice

Candice,

I love it! The rosy cheeks make a huge difference! Thank you so much.

Phil, thanks for the advice, I will be trying that next.

-Juan