Critiques - - Feedback on new techniques

Graphics23 · #1 08-20-2007, 04:51 AM

This is my most recent restoration.

Before

After

I've used some new techniques which involve channel blending in RGB combined with directly manipulating color in LAB

Any feedback would be appreciated.

In general I've achieved what I was going for, but I'm a little disappointed with a couple of things. I'm wondering if anyone will point out the same areas where I think it didn't work or notice problems that I may have missed.

Thank you,

Michael

Swampy · #2 08-20-2007, 06:19 AM

Michael, Excellent job. I've been following this over on NAPP. My only objection is his skin is a little blotchy and, compared to the detail in his uniform, a bit washed out and faded looking.

All I did was the blur thing to smooth his skin, Hue/Sat to adjust bring up saturation and adjust the reds, then a general curves in the midtones.

I'm sure other may think otherwise, but it's JMHO.

Graphics23 · #3 08-20-2007, 06:57 AM

Hi Swampy!

Thanks for taking the time.

I had a lot of trouble dealing with the blotchy skin and keeping detail.

One thing that helped with this project was that the client found a wallet size of the same 10x14 image which had faired much better with the passage of time. It turns out that the subject actually had a very freckled complexion.

The channel blending moves served to emphasize the freckles and led to the blotchy appearance. I've got to work on ways to control the channel blends in a more subtle fashion, which is one of the new approaches I tried for this image.

Good job on your version. I'll revisit it sometime this week and see if I can't fine tune a bit.

Thanks again,

Michael

Swampy · #4 08-20-2007, 07:03 AM

Arrg, Matey!

I've got nothing better to do. I've been without running water for 3 days! My septic tank is backed up and any water going down any of the drains just causes the toilet in the master bath to over flow. I've been like a bear in the woods.. LOL

Nikolas · #5 08-20-2007, 09:39 AM

I think it was very well done graphics! By the way, why is he smiling? I didn't think you were allowed to smile in the marines...haha

Graphics23 · #6 08-24-2007, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swampy

Michael, Excellent job. I've been following this over on NAPP. My only objection is his skin is a little blotchy and, compared to the detail in his uniform, a bit washed out and faded looking.

Hey Swampy,

I did what you suggested, blurred the blotchy and increased saturation and contrast.

Does this version look any better?

Michael

p.s., Plumbing fixed yet?

I feel your pain. Two years ago my incoming waterline froze for two weeks. Then just after it got fixed my sewer line froze, the pipes burst, and it had to be COMPLETELY REPLACED!

I was without the use of my plumbing for over a month. We had a porta potty in the driveway and had to beg showers off the neighbors. D'oh!

Alison · #7 08-25-2007, 03:14 AM

Hi Graphics & Swampy,

I'm wondering why the yellow piping on the soldiers uniform went from yellow to red on both of your images ?

I corrected the individual colour channels in levels, copied layer and set the blending mode to multiply, used a gradient mask, used the auto in curves and set snap to neutrals, ran the image through neat image, tidied it up a little bit with the patch tool. It still has a kind of hue on the right hand side, but that can be easily corrected.

Graphics23 · #8 08-25-2007, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alison

Hi Graphics & Swampy,

I'm wondering why the yellow piping on the soldiers uniform went from yellow to red on both of your images ?

Wow, Alison! Thanks for reminding me!

I was so focused on the Marine's face that I forgot to finish the jacket! D'oh!

The Marine dress code is blue with red trim. That just goes to show how very important research is to restoration work.

Here's the updated version. I'm still not completely satisfied with the face, but it's getting there.

If you've already visited the link you'll have to update the page to see the new one.

Regards,

Michael

CJ Swartz · #9 08-25-2007, 10:40 AM

Ooh-rah! Michael -- looks like a newly minted Gyrene!

duwayne · #10 08-25-2007, 03:32 PM

I have always admired your work so felt a little unconfortable crituqeing it. I took my best shot at the face - Used the Threshold adjustment to select the brightest areas on the face. Blurred the selection and used it as a layer mask. Selected a light skin shade and used as a fill color for a new layer under the layer with the mask. Used Hue/Saturation to get the color right.

Swampy – nice job

chillin · #11 08-25-2007, 04:27 PM

There is not enough color information left to do a good restoration. I simply colorized it.

Oh_Heck · #12 08-25-2007, 08:31 PM

Well, personally Graphics, I think you did a terrific job on that restoration.

Graphics23 · #13 08-26-2007, 06:37 AM

Nikolas: Thank you, Nikolas! Hmmm, a smiling marine. Is that like an honest politician? D'oh!

CJ Swartz: Thank you, Sir!

duwayne: I'm very flattered that you admire my work! But only YOU are an expert on what you like. So please don't ever hesitate to offer an honest critique when sincerely asked. Especially to me! I do my best work when I have feedback. And I don't bite unless asked nicely.

And nice job, I'll give your ideas a try.

chillin: Absolutely right, not much color to work with. I did a lot of hand coloring too. Unfortunately, I ended up with more detail in the uniform than in the face. I'll have to keep at it.

Oh_Heck: Thank you very much! And welcome to the forums.