Help needed with 1974 wedding photo

[bkpoltis]

Hi all,

This is my first post. I have been scanning through some of the posts. There is so much here, that it is quite overwhelming! So much knowledge in one place.

This is my wedding picture from 1974. It has been displayed since then, but not in direct sunlight. I have read several places that pictures from the 1960s and 1970s had some color pigmentation problems. Well, that is certainly true in this case. There are small brown dots all over the photograph, which especially shows up on my face (rats!). The colors are really faded. My husband's jacket was a light green, and also the trim on my dress was a light green. The wedding was in May in Ohio, so the trees were all green.

I scanned this on an Epson Perfecton 4870 Photo scanner, using Silverfast AI Studio. I am reading a lot, but still having problems making sense of all the info, so I know that I am not doing a lot of things correctly. I have tried using curves, levels, noise reduction, etc. with Photoshop CS2, but have not gotten results that I am happy with. This scanned picture does not have any work done on it, though, so you could see the original.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Bernie

[Cameraken]

Hi Bernie
Welcome to RetouchPro

Its amazing how these old photos have faded. (See the Nov Contest) It seems like the darker colours go red while the lighter colours just fade.
I have tried to find out how or why these colours fade like this but can find no info.
Take his jacket. I would have made it white or cream without you saying it was green.
There seems no way to ‘work out’ what the original colours were.

The top left of your picture has a different cast, so I added a gradual mask to balance that.
Adjusted the levels and painted back most of the colour.
Neat image removed most of the marks but the bad ones were painted back.

I hope I got it close to the original.

Ken

[Cassidy]

Looking at this photo it appears to my eye to have become a tad magenta over time. I did a levels adjustment first and set my black point as the pants, the white point as the bodice of the dress and used the trees in the background left hand side as the grey point. I then did a curves adjustment using the same pointers, upped the saturation a little and moved the hue slider around 1 point to the left to reintroduce just the slightest bit of red.

[bart_hickman]

Couple of silly questions. 1) Do you have any photos that were kept in the dark that would show how the colors are supposed to look?, 2) Is there any chance that the photographer still exists and might have the negative?

Bart

[bkpoltis]

Thanks for the replies!

Bart, yes I do have a photo album that has not seen much daylight. The colors are still faded, though not as much. The spots do not occur on the album pictures. The pictures in the photo album are smaller, though, so I thought that I would have better quality pictures, if I could scan the 8x10 picture. I have lost touch with the photographer, but I think that he is still in the area. I could try contact him. Thanks for the suggestion.

Ken and Cass, thanks for working on the picture. They both look a lot better, and much closer to the original. Cass, I understand the steps that you have taken with the photo. Ken, I'm not sure how to add a gradual mask. How did you adust the levels - with the pointers? Did you paint back color with the paintbrush, just picking appropriate colors? And, what is 'neat image'? I have been working with Photoshop for awhile but still have a lot to learn.

Bernie

[Kraellin]

neat image is a separate program. it can be used by itself or as a plugin to photoshop and other programs. it is basically designed to remove noise from an image. there are links on this forum as to where to get it. there is a free version and a pro version. only the pro version can be used as a plugin. if you cant find the links, just do a google on 'neat image' and you'll get to it.

and welcome to RP!

Craig

[Gary Richardson]

Hi Bernie,

Had a bit of a play with your picture. Haven't got a lot of spare time at the moment, so sorry it had to be a quick job.

Duplicated layer, applied Auto Colour to get somewhere near, then adjusted using Colour Balance. Fine tweaked with Curves.

Did a local adjustment for Grooms face and hair, which still appeared to have a slight magenta tint.

New layer set to colour mode, and hand tinted some of background trees.

New layer, and cloned out red spots (may have missed a few), tried auto tools, but didn't give good results.

Flattened image, and adjusted hue/sat, to up colour saturation a little.

[Flora]

Hi Bernie,

Welcome to RP!

I had a go at your picture as well. (I work with CS2 too)

For the spots, I used Filter>Noise>Dust&Scratches (Increased the Radius until most of the spots had disappeared, increased Threshold until I had most of the texture back but stopping before the 'spots' came visible again)

To balance the colours and minimize the yellow/Magenta casts, I used the Curves 'Set white point' on the brightest spot of your veil.

I used Image>Adjustments>Shadow/Highlights, mostly to balance/minimize the 'blown out' areas in your dress and faces.

I used A blank layer set to Color, Selective Colors and Color Balance Adjustment Layers on selected parts of the image to fix the faded colours.

I used Neat Image (can be downloaded free here ) with soft settings to reduce noise/JPG artifacts

Finally I used USM to lightly sharpen the picture.

[dbuckle]

Adjusted using Studio Artist and PScs2

[nebgranny]

Flora, So nice to see you back. I, for one missed you very much!! A lot of folks were helpful in your absence. Chris, cameraken, phil..just to mention a few..if I missed anyone I am sorry,for I appreciate all of you!!

I have learned a little more about some of the functions since you left. For me the scale is hard to learn when setting proper adjustments. Could you be so kind to post the numbers you use when adjusting please. Right now I am at 3 radius and 23 threshold. I think it a little fuzzy yet. But if I go any higher the clairity of the picture seems better but the spot..I am focusing on Bernies chin comes back?? Can you help me out on this?? Thanks Neb

[bkpoltis]

Gary,

I am trying to follow your methods to work on the wedding picture. I work with layers but still have problems. How do you set a layer to colour mode? I just added a layer, did a selection on some trees, picked a green color, set the opacity lower and painted - is that what you did? When you added a new layer to clone out the red spots, I'm unsure about layers. If you add an empty layer, how do you get to the picture? Do you merge visible? As you can tell, I am getting confused with using the layers. Any help would be appreciated.

Bernie

[bkpoltis]

Gary,

I forgot to say in my last reply - thanks for taking the time to work on my picture.

Bernie

[bkpoltis]

Flora,

Thank you for working on my picture. Everyone is so nice at this website!

I am trying to follow your methods, also. When I used Image->Adjustments->Shadow/Highlights and changed the values, nothing was happening, so I must be doing something wrong. I am not sure how to use these adjustments. I don't understand the next step - blank layer set to Color, Selective Colors. I do use Color Balance Adjustment Layers.

Thanks in advance for explaining more.

I love the way the white dress really became white in the picture.

Bernie

[bkpoltis]

Dbuckle,

The picture does look nice, just in black & white!

Bernie

[Legacy~Art]

Ooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh Yesssssssssss Flora is back Ladies & Gents!!!

Its so lovely to see you, its horrible moving, hope you had no mishaps...

Big E hugssssssssssssssss

Ella

[Gary Richardson]

Hi Bernie,

OK, first of all any layer can be set to a number or different modes, if you click on your layer palette, then in the top left hand corner of the palette is a drop down menu (set by default to normal), click on the dropdown, and select color from the list.

What this does, is allows just the colour information in the layer to be altered, the luminosity information remains unaltered. In laymans terms, by selecting a colour and painting on an object, it colours it, but retains all the detail, ie the colour is transparent.

So I just sampled a colour from an untinted area, and painted over the areas with a magenta tinge. By adjusting the opacity of the layer (again in the layer palette. Top centre) you can affect how much of the colour overwrites that in the image below.

For cloning I always work on a new layer, as it is easier to correct any mistakes I might make (just erase them using the eraser tool).

OK, open a new layer (a blank one). Now select the clone tool, and make sure that "use all layers" is checked in the toolbar at the top of the screen. This will enable you to select items from the layer below, but the cloned items will be "copied" to the new layer. Now if you make mistakes, just erase them, as you are on a seperate layer, they will not effect the underlying image.

Hope this clarifies things, if anything needs further explanation, just ask.


Flora, welcome back. As usual a peerless rendition. We've all missed you.


Gary

[Gary Richardson]

Hi Bernie,

OK, first of all any layer can be set to a number or different modes, if you click on your layer palette, then in the top left hand corner of the palette is a drop down menu (set by default to normal), click on the dropdown, and select color from the list.

What this does, is allows just the colour information in the layer to be altered, the luminosity information remains unaltered. In laymans terms, by selecting a colour and painting on an object, it colours it, but retains all the detail, ie the colour is transparent.

So I just sampled a colour from an untinted area, and painted over the areas with a magenta tinge. By adjusting the opacity of the layer (again in the layer palette. Top centre) you can affect how much of the colour overwrites that in the image below.

For cloning I always work on a new layer, as it is easier to correct any mistakes I might make (just erase them using the eraser tool).

OK, open a new layer (a blank one). Now select the clone tool, and make sure that "use all layers" is checked in the toolbar at the top of the screen. This will enable you to select items from the layer below, but the cloned items will be "copied" to the new layer. Now if you make mistakes, just erase them, as you are on a seperate layer, they will not effect the underlying image.

Hope this clarifies things, if anything needs further explanation, just ask.

Flora, welcome back. As usual a peerless rendition. We've all missed you.

Gary

[bkpoltis]

Gary,

Thanks so much for your explanation!! I played with the modes before, but obviously did not understand them. When I tried cloning on a separate new layer before, nothing happened, so I must not have had the 'use all layers' checked. Everything makes so much more sense now.

Thanks again.

Bernie

[Gary Richardson]

You're welcome. Good luck with your restore.

[Cameraken]

Hi Bernie

The gradual mask I used at the top left was to balance that area with the rest of the picture and helped to balance Joe’s face. (Gary mentioned that).
However as you are using CS2 then using the shadow/Highlight would be better (I’m using PS7). This would not only help with Joes face but will also help with the blown out areas in the dress and veil.

The only areas I painted were the sky, the lake, the flowers and the jacket. All the other colours came from the original.

I remember those ‘Teddy Boy’ jackets as being very brightly coloured (pistachio)
I’d be interested in the true colour

Hope this Helps.

Ken

[Flora]

Hi everybody,

Nebgranny, Ella, Gary,

thank you so much for your 'Welcome back'!!!

Bernie,

...sorry for not reacting earlier ... was busy during the week-end.... Here are some details:

• To minimize the yellow cast, I first used Levels' (Adjustmen Layer) 'Set white and Grey Point' (Curves works exactly the same way). I set first the White Point in one of the brightest veil point, then the Grey Point in a shadow part under the bouquet. (Attachment 1)
  
  
• Merge Visible ....(here is how to do it without losing the underlying Layers)
  
  
• Duplicate the Merged Layer
  
  
• Working on the duplicated Merged Layer, to balance Shadow/Highlights, I opened the Image>Adjustment>Shadow/Highlight Menu and checked the 'Show more Options' box at the bottom of the menu dialog box. (Attachment 2)
  
  
• In the new window, I pulled the 'Shadow' sliders to the left (0) and tweaked the 'Highlight' sliders as in Attachment 3. This procedure darkened noticeably the lightest parts of the image bringing out details otherwise very faded. (Bernie, this should help you with your question about Shadow/Highlights)
  
  
• I added a Layer Mask (hide All = Black) to the Shadow/Highlights Layer, and, with a soft white brush (adjusting its Opacity), I painted over the Blown out parts of the picture.

If you are not yet familiar with Layer Masks, I wrote a Tutorial for beginners ... here .... and here you can read Vikki's excellent Tutorial about the usage of Layer Masks

• Merge Visible
  
  
• Duplicate the Shadow/Highlights Layer
  
  
• Working on the duplicated Shadow/Highlights Layer, next was the Dust&Scratches part ... Values/Numbers in Attachment 4... Neb, you are absolutely right ...this Layer looks very strange so, I added a Layer Mask (hide All = Black) to the Dust & Scratches Layer, and, with a soft white brush (adjusting its Opacity), I painted over the spots to correct (Attachment 5). Neb, follow the links about Layer Masks if you have forgotten details about how to....

[Flora]

Having reached the 5 Attachments limit in my previous post, I continue here...

Bernie,

concerning the 'blank' Layers and their different 'Modes' and the Selective Colors Adjustment Layer I mentioned in my restoration description, here is how to do it:

Blank Layer:

• Click on the 'Create a New Layer' button at the bottom of your Layers' Palette (Attachment 1)
  
  
• Click on the arrow right of 'Normal' at the top left of your Layers' Palette to get to the 'Mode' Options drop down Menu and choose the Mode you wish. (Attachment 2)

Selective Colors:

• See Attachment 3

Hope this helps...

[Kraellin]

flora,

i understand how to create the blank layer and the mode, but i dont understand how you're using it? it would seem to have no effect since there is nothing IN the layer itself. i also dont know what selective colors does since i dont have that in psp 10 or the gimp. is the selective colors bleeding down through the blank layer and being altered by the blank layer and then affecting the layer below that or what?

and, excellent work!

Craig

[bkpoltis]

Flora,

Thanks so much for your detailed instructions. I will try them as soon as I get a chance.

I noticed that in your restoration, the bride dress is really white, the green bodice ribbon shows a lot of detail, and the daisy bouquet is sharper.

I appreciate all the effort that you have put into this!


Bernie

[Flora]

Hi,

Ken,

Originally Posted by Cameraken

...I remember those ‘Teddy Boy’ jackets as being very brightly coloured (pistachio)
I’d be interested in the true colour

I'm curious too about the true colour ... I just went for the 'traditional/conservative' choice ...

Originally Posted by Kraellin

flora,

i understand how to create the blank layer and the mode, but i dont understand how you're using it? it would seem to have no effect since there is nothing IN the layer itself.

Sorry Craig ... just like the 'road you know' and assume everybody else does too...
After creating Blank Layers and changing their Mode according to what I want to do, I just paint on them ....
Let's say I wish to lighten a certain spot ... well, then, working on the new blank Layer set to 'Lighten', using a very soft/fuzzy Brush (Opacity 10-30%) and after having sampled 'lighter shades of colour/grey just around the spot, I carefully paint over the spot until it has 'faded' naturally into the rest of the surrounding area ....

The big advantages to use 'blank' Layers is to have correction you can still change or remove completely without having always to start from scratch and it definitely doesn't increase your file size as a duplicate 'full' layer would.

I've been asked a lot about 'my methods' and, being me, I usually answer in details ... but, I've always done it on replies to individual posts making it difficult to find ... That's why I'm thinking about writing a 'mini' Tutorial on a 'cocktail' of my methods for restoring pictures ... I'll let you know.

Originally Posted by Kraellin

i also dont know what selective colors does since i dont have that in psp 10 or the gimp.

Selective Colors is definitely one of my ... if not my favourite Colour Adjustment Tool .... It's the first one I turn to when it comes to correct colours ... It is incredibly versatile and gives you a lot of control over the correction.

Quoting from PS Help File:
"Selective color correction is a technique used by high-end scanners and separation programs to change the amount of process colors in each of the primary color components in an image. You can modify the amount of a process color in any primary color selectively—without affecting the other primary colors. For example, you can use selective color correction to dramatically decrease the cyan in the green component of an image while leaving the cyan in the blue component unaltered."

Originally Posted by Kraellin

is the selective colors bleeding down through the blank layer and being altered by the blank layer and then affecting the layer below that or what?

Usually, each Layer in PS 'interacts' with the underlying Layers according to its Mode ... and this goes for Ajustment Layers as well ... meaning:

* if I first create a new Blank Layer to lighten or remove a spot (the only visible changes after this procedure will be only on the parts I painted since the rest of the Layer remains transparent 'blank'),

*then I open a Selective Colors AL (Mode = Normal) on top of it, every change I make on the Selective Colors AL will cover\influence everything else underneath ... Lightening 'blank' Layer included.

You can always increase\decrease the strenght of the correction or reduce the area affected by it with the help of the amazing Layer Masks ...

In other words ... a Layer's Position and Mode are crucial for its interaction with other Layers and, therefore, for the end result of any correction.

Hope this helps...

Originally Posted by Kraellin

and, excellent work!

Craig

Thanks Craig!!

Bernie,

thank you so much for your kindness .... and so glad you liked my restoration!

[bkpoltis]

Joe's Jacket was a light green, not really a pistachio. I'm attaching a color sample, which looks true on my monitor. I don't know how it will show up on others.

Thanks again, everyone.

Bernie

[bkpoltis]

try again with the attachment

[Kraellin]

flora,

ok, i answered part of this in the other thread where you directed me back to this one. boy, this can get confusing, talking about the same pic in multiple threads.

so, ok, you're painting in the blank layer with the blend mode. good. we've done this before, so that, answers that.

selective colors is not channel mixer or 'red/green/blue' (a psp color tool). not quite sure what 'process colors' are, but i think i get the idea from the rest of the explanation. i suppose the closest thing in psp is 'channel mixer'.

and yes, i know what blend modes are and do; i just wasnt getting that you were painting in the blank layer. and ok re the selective color al blending down through the other layers.

thanks flora

Craig