Need help cleaning up an old B&W photo ?

[harry]

Hello All. I need help. I scanned this old black and white photo at 2400 RGB with ICE. The ICE fixed some of the imperfections.

I am using PS Elements 3. I adjusted the brightness and contrast using levels. And, I removed all color to get rid of a yellowish cast. I plan to do the final print in a Sepia tone.

My problem. I am not sure how to get rid of the remaining small imperfections .. all over the image ... the little cracks that are especially noticable in the light area at the bottom of the image. I tried using the Dust and Scratches filter but it didn't seem to improve the image.

Does anyone have an idea how to get rid of or minimize the cracks ?

Thanks,
-harry

[twinkissed]

Here are two things that may help you...

1. Neat image
2. Poloroid Dust and Scratch Filter

You may also want to see the tutorials for the action "decrack" and also for the tip that uses Gaussian Blur on a masked layer to get out imperfections. If you have trouble finding them, let me know and I'll try to dig up some links. I never remember where exactly I find things on here

[Nanls]

Here is a start. Ran Neat Image, and grain surgery, gaussian blur and then go back one state, using the historybrush set to lighten and went over the dark cracks, then switched to darken and did some of the lighter ones. I didn't take long, and did both neat images and grain surgery on the whole image... you would have better results by using any of the remove grain fitlers, and then going back a state and using the history brush just in selected areas.
~Nancy~

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[philbach]

Well I copied the layer and used a darken blending mode and used a median blur on to remove the white spots on the dark part of the plane and then I copied the original layer and used a lighten blending mode on the light spots.

I then ran the neat filter. Used levels adjustment levels and masked certain areas i.e. the lower part of the picture needed much more "contrast" enhancement than the upper part.

I came back and sharpened the pilot some at the end.

[Nanls]

Nice job, Phil.
Nancy

[Cameraken]

Hi Harry
Welcome to Retouch Pro

This is just an idea.
I have never seen a white tyre on an aeroplane. So I guess the bottom part of the picture is very faded.
I made a loose selection round the faded area and darkened it with levels.
Polaroid dust and scratches
Neat Image
Cloned in a few marks and repaired the wheel a bit.

I think it looks better Darker.

Ken

[Kraellin]

this is remininscent of another recent photo posted in the forums. before you start trying to remove the cracks you want to fix the other major problems first. there are several blown out or faded areas in the image. these need separate treatment to restore them. i'd suggest masks and then curves or levels or contrast/lighten.

the point is to bring the detail back FIRST. then fix the damage. this makes it easier to fix.

as to how to fix, the others have mentioned some of the standard techniques, but i'd want to see the detail more before going further. i dont currently have access to my tools as i'm 'on vacation', but i currently lean towards a clone or push/smudge solution at least on parts of the cracking rather than neat image or polaroid d&s. you'll get better detail and less smearing. the downside is a slower job.

Craig

[srailey]

[quote=Nanls]...then go back one state, using the historybrush set to lighten and went over the dark cracks...~Nancy~

Nancy,

Please explain going back one state to use the history brush.

Thanks, Steve

[harry]

WOW. You have given me many ideas and I can't wait to try them out. Thank you for your efforts and advice. I will get back to you after I have played with a few of these techniques.

-harry