This is my first post here so I hope I get it right. I have experimented before with restoration but now I am wanting to get serious. I have a good project now I am doing for myself, so there is no rushed time frame. I picked a real tough one, for me anyway, to start with. It is the best picture I have of my maternal grandfather who died 45 years ago. Most other pictures of him were done with the small "brownie" type of camera and almost all were out of focus and show no hope of enlargment. While this portrait is in bad shape I think it can be restored and make a fine present for my mother, and for myself.

The biggest problem I have is the "linen texture" is so strong that it makes clearing up the skin area difficult. I have looked for filters that would correct it but so far I haven't found the right touch.

What I have done so far is to rescan the image in RGB so that I can eliminate most of the imperfections on the backdrop and face area. The clothing seems to be no problem at all. I will upload two images, the original RGB scan and the post channel mixer version. Any help or directions you could give would be appreciated.

Should have been attached to original message.

Here is the original scanned at 360 DPI as an RGB image.

I will look at it briefly before I goto bed, but I am sure members in different time zones will answer back before me.

Just a few things, have you tried converting the image to CMYK etc and checking the channels, discarding the one (if any) with damage. Channel Mixer also could help.

Ok, I did a quick channel surf in RGB and the damage is all in the Green and Blue channels - so discard them.

However I thought the best result was found in CMYK, where I opted to KEEP Cyan and Black and bin Magenta and Yellow.

Hope that help somewhat to be going on with:)

Thanks for your input Mike. I'll check the CMYK as well, I hadn't thought about checking that. The first attachment was a post channel mixer image with the blue and green thrown away. Any ideas on the linen texture?

I'm kind of new to restore and retouch myself and I looked at the first photo and I'm not really seeing any major problems, I may not know what I'm suppose to be looking for though.

I played around a little with the b/w and came up with this, I'm sure that there will be someone here that can help you out better than I can.

Good Luck.

Thanks Scott. The problem is there is a linen texture pattern that the scanner picked up real well. It may not be as obvious on the reduced copy I uploaded. The scanner "descreen" function has helped but it is still very evident in the skin, which is the real problem. Thanks again.

Kevin,

Questions about textured paper seem to be some of the most asked ones here, especially recently.

Check out THIS POST (http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3882) from yesterday to see if you find anything useful there.

Jakaleena, I 'm sorry I didn't do more searching. I admit that I thought that at first I had a moire' problem. But some textures might not fit that definition. I should have searched on texture, which it really is. You've given me a lot of reading to do. Thanks.

I hope you find something useful in your reading, Kevin :)

I played with your image a bit. Unless it's lost quite a lot in the resize to post, the texturing in this one appeared fairly minor on my screen.

I deleted the Green & Blue channels, and then ran Despeckle once.

(If the texture you're seeing is much worse than on the image you posted [I used the original yellowed one], perhaps you can just post a section of it so that we can get the whole effect)

There's a ton of ways to do this. What everyone suggested will probably work. An easy way is to duplicate the bg layer, select the bg, run the median filter (edit>fade filter if it's too strong). Then, with curves (or brightness/contrast), reduce the contrast in the bg. Maybe add some texture in the bg too. I kinda like the linen look in the original and I don't think anyone would notice it. It's kind of nice.
Mig

Thanks to all for the help.

After looking at your tutorial Jakaleena, my texture problem looks small. I think that I might try to clean the picture up and see what I can do without removing the texture. If I can clean up the imperfections and keep the texture I will be OK. My objection to the texture was in part due to it making it difficult to clone the imperfections out. The descreen function of the scanner has broken up the pattern somewhat. I'll play around with both the descreen and the non-descreen images and see what I can do. Now back to the reading.

hehe Mig, you seem to have pipped me to the post. Your retouch has kept all the elements, like sharpness and contrast and got rid of the blemishes. Good work:)

Here is where I am so far. I'd like some comments as to whether I am going in the right direction. Also what else might be done to improve the image. I haven't had a lot of time to work on it lately, too many other things going on. Anyway let me know what you think please.

You got rid of whatever was left of the problems in spotting the picture. You'd already done a good job there, looking at the original, and in this version it's complete.
The background looks fine now, although there isn't much difference here than in your first post and you said the linen-look was the biggest problem. Now, if people take the time to give you the answers to your questions about removing this texture, then you should at least make the time to try their suggestions before asking for more help. The answers are already there.

Well Mig you answered my question. I guess I wanted to know if I was going in the right direction on the BG. I was saving the face for last. Besides I took you comment to heart that the texture may not be undesireable after all. But,I am going to attempt to use Jak's texture removal proceedure. I just need an evening with more time than I have available tonight.

I've been working with quick masks and fill layers, basically following Jak's tutorial. Thought I would post what I have so far to see if I am doing it right. I have cleared up the skin a lot but am unable to get all of the texture out without making it look too fake. In the fill layers I have it set to 60% fill with about 85% opaque. I have about 6 different layers because I had to avoid the eye's, mouth, and nostrils. You may be able to tell me if I need to adjust the fill or opaqueness. I've been staring at it too much to be sure where I stand on the adjustments right now.

I dunno, Kevin. I think I'd back it up a bit.

His forehead's gone pretty pasty and is a real mismatch to the rest of his face which looks pretty good...

You're right, there is too much correction on the forehead. I brought the image up and backed off on the fill rate on that layer. It looks in line with the rest of the face now. Guess that is why you recommended the 2nd view window. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

There is still texture on the face but I think I 've reduced it quite a bit. This has been a good tutorial for me because I haven't worked with fill layers before. Thanks for making that tutorial available.

I think I have a problem with tonality. The backdrop and face seem to be much brighter than the suite coat.

I was just passing thru and saw your pic.... don't know if this is too soft or not ... but I first used the "neat image" filter ... then did the above method with the cmyk and discarded the bad channel..... and had to discard yellow after going into the greyscale mode..
RonDon

rondon, thanks for your input. "Neat image" sounds interesting is that a commercial product or is it available for download?

Hi kevin
It's a stand alone program... You can download a fully functional demo.. that has no time limit.... just doesn't allow you to save in the jpg format as I recall... you have to save in bitmap..

Then later if you decide you like it ... it's just $30..

it is often usefull but sometimes it removes too much info from the photo.

also sometimes I try it several times ... sampling from different area's (as you'll learn on the instructions ).

one of the nicest things it does I think is the way it handles pix from digital cameras ... lower cost ones anyhow... it cleans up the "noise" and you are able to save a profile on the camera and just run the pix thru without sampling...

ok well hope that helps... leaving very soon on vacation..
here's the link
RonDon

http://www.neatimage.com/download.html

well decided to make a before and after... the only thing done to the right side of this photo is that I ran it thru "neat image"