How do I best fix/improve this shot.

[Lil Judd]

After many years absence I'm getting back to my love for photography. This started at an early age. I was 9 years old when I bought my first camera. Bought with money I won on Bingo by myself. I bought a little Kodak Instamatic.

Anyhow, I've carried with me for almost 40 years a print from that camera of my first very much beloved dog Amulette. Well, tonight I've scanned it into the computer & needless to say - not only age, but mostly - has affected this most beloved photo. Now, I wish to restore it to a better state but I'm really very basic when it comes to retouching. And retouching is what I think I need to do as there's no repairs to be done.

I have CS3, but have not really gotten into in & maybe this is the shot with which I'll do so. Any way..... Where do I start, how do I start. This shot is very important to me & I'm almost crying just writing about it.

Shot can be downloaded at

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...lette_0001.jpg

needless to say in jpg form, but I've also made it available as a TIFF here

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...s/Amulette.tif

I've only visited a few times here, but hope to do so more. Can anyone help me here?

Thanks

Lil

[Blindv]

Basically all I did was to take the image and adjust the red curve to restore a more realistic color representation. Then also duplicated the adjusted layer and set the blending mode to overlay with an opacity of about 20%.

Not perfect but it gets you going in the right direction.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...esis/dog-1.jpg

[Lil Judd]

Thanks for your help Blindv - I'll work from there.

Lil

[1999XLT]

This was a quick 2 minute fix. I neutralized the color cast using swampy's method (the greatest method EVER IMHO), quick levels adjustment then fixed the contrast using a curve layer. Regards,

[mligr]

The book "Photoshop restoration and retouching" from Katrin Eismann is what you need. There is a chapter in there on exactly this kind of images, where one of the color channels is severely damaged. I don't have the book here with me, and I never had an opportunity to try that technique, but when I get home I will look it up and post the result.

Martin

[philbach]

As mentioned previously, take a look at the channels. The red channel is the most affected. I used levels on each individual channel. Then I copied the layer to a new layer using screen blending mode.

[Cassidy]

I also used Swampy's method of blur->average, invert and set blending to overlay, but did it several times before doing a final levels adjustment

[chillin]

I think you have to fix a little the red channel first, then use curves & at last separately boost some colors (i.e. red for the flower).

[mayday]

Here's my quick fix for you!

If you like it i'll do the tiff when i get time. PM your email and i'll send it to you?

[rovis]

here's a color corrected tiff:

http://download.yousendit.com/5CB83A6707E9F44F

I applied some curves and then boosted the saturation a little.

[mkyam]

Hi! It's my first attempt to do the retouching...I begin by independently adjusting the individual color channels using levels adjustment layers. Then boost the saturation using hue/saturation with a low opacity. Finally added a channel mixer adjustment layers to fix the blue channel to restore some details.

[James Penner]

Here's my attemt. I just used a levels and curves adjustment.

[Lil Judd]

Originally Posted by 1999XLT

This was a quick 2 minute fix. I neutralized the color cast using swampy's method (the greatest method EVER IMHO), quick levels adjustment then fixed the contrast using a curve layer. Regards,

Thanks for your help 1999XLT. Gives me something to work with.

[Tom K]

Hi
I also used the blur/average method, also a little touchup with curves.
Tried to sharpen a little bit.... Looking for detail in eyes - could not find any.
Tom

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1eNo...qpcm_thumb.jpg

[Lil Judd]

Originally Posted by philbach

As mentioned previously, take a look at the channels. The red channel is the most affected. I used levels on each individual channel. Then I copied the layer to a new layer using screen blending mode.

Thanks philbach - I have several shots that have this color issue (age I guess) so I will attempt this with all of them. Thank you for your help & time.

Originally Posted by mligr

The book "Photoshop restoration and retouching" from Katrin Eismann is what you need. There is a chapter in there on exactly this kind of images, where one of the color channels is severely damaged. I don't have the book here with me, and I never had an opportunity to try that technique, but when I get home I will look it up and post the result.

Martin

Hi Martin - - thanks I'll pick that one up. I'm in for a lot of restoring of old slides & shots that I only have prints of. It will certainly help a lot.

Originally Posted by Cassidy

I also used Swampy's method of blur->average, invert and set blending to overlay, but did it several times before doing a final levels adjustment

Thank you Cassidy - I will try that. I have more shots with this problem - I will work on it & thanks for your time & effort

Originally Posted by chillin

I think you have to fix a little the red channel first, then use curves & at last separately boost some colors (i.e. red for the flower).

Thank you chillin - I've downloaded everyone's effort to help me. They all look a wast improvement over the original scan. Thank you for your time & effort & I seem to recall yours being fairly close to the colors I remember of our house wall - I will solicit my mother's help with that.

Originally Posted by mayday

Here's my quick fix for you!

If you like it i'll do the tiff when i get time. PM your email and i'll send it to you?

Hi mayday - looks good. I'll send you a pm with my e-mail & thank you for all your time & effort.

Originally Posted by rovis

here's a color corrected tiff:

http://download.yousendit.com/5CB83A6707E9F44F

I applied some curves and then boosted the saturation a little.

Hi rovis - I've just downloaded your tiff. It looks great - thank you for your time & effort. It looks very close to what I remember. Thank you so very much.

Originally Posted by mkyam

Hi! It's my first attempt to do the retouching...I begin by independently adjusting the individual color channels using levels adjustment layers. Then boost the saturation using hue/saturation with a low opacity. Finally added a channel mixer adjustment layers to fix the blue channel to restore some details.

Thank you mkyam - thank you for all your help & time. I have all these great version to look at now & compare. Thank you again.

Originally Posted by James Penner

Here's my attemt. I just used a levels and curves adjustment.

Hi James, thank you for your effort, time & help. I've got so many to look at up close now. I feel very happy & grateful for everyone's help. Thank you so very much.

Collectively to everyone - - thank you for all the help & suggestions.

Lil

[Lil Judd]

Originally Posted by Tom K

Hi
I also used the blur/average method, also a little touchup with curves.
Tried to sharpen a little bit.... Looking for detail in eyes - could not find any.
Tom

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1eNo...qpcm_thumb.jpg

Thanks Tom, the print is about 38 years old & only 3 1/2 X 3 1/2 inches. I get back what I get back - & I'm just happy to know that I will still have it.

Thank you for your time, help & effort.

Lil

[Flora]

Great job everybody!!!

Lil,

One thing you will realize working with Photoshop is that there is never only one way to get where you wish ....

One of the first thing I learned from Katrin Eismann R&R book (which I strongly recommend) was dealing with a problem similar to yours...

I'm not really one for "quick fixes", but this didn't even take a minute and it was done with a single Levels Adjustment Layer.

From Katrin Eismann's Book I learned that it is safe to assume that shadows cast on a (white) wall are neutral gray, so, with that in mind...

• Found the 'right' neutral grey spot in your picture. (Attachment 1)
  
  
• Opened a Levels Adjustment Layer:
  • Selected the 'Set Gray Point' eyedropper and clicked on the selected spot with it.
  • Moved nearly all sliders to fix the contrast. (Attachment 2)
  
  
• Clicked OK.

My workflow > (Attachment 3)
My result > (Attachment 4)

P.S. I worked on the full size tif image, so, the values I used should work for you as well.

[mligr]

Hi,
here is my attempt. I used the 'Apply Image' approach described in the Eismann's book I mentioned earlier. I boosted the red channel 200% (multiply red channel on itself), weakened the blue channel a bit (lighten green channel on blue, 10%). Then I tweaked contrast with curves and did some small color adjustments.

The tiff is here:
http://www.box.net/shared/zprskuyzdg

Martin

[albatrosss]

Flora,

How the heck can a photo that looked so bad be fixed with one click? As you said it took seconds to do. I would never in a million years have considered using that method.

Thanks again for your advise and expertise. Appreciated.

[Alison]

Hi Lil,

Quick Fix from me as well, you can do more if you like. Cropped the image so as to focus more on the dog, and used the perspective tool to straighten the ridges in the tin. Used a levels adjustment layer, went to the individual channels and brought the sliders in to where the majority of the information is .... that was it. You can go ahead and adjust whatever else you feel is necessary.

[Alison]

Hi Lil,

Decided to give the little fella some eyes Can't remember what breed of dog it was that I nicked them from.

[unimatrix001]

thought i would give this a try just alittle late i guess
adjusted color cast using swampy's method modified slightly. duplicate background layer twice on first copy use average blur, use eyedropper to select that color. turn on opacity of second duplicate layer add a curves layer select the grey point eyedropper and click on the foreground color this will remove the color cast. came up with this.

[Flora]

albatrosss,

.... simply amazing isn't it???? .... I call it 'the incredible power' of Photoshop!!!

Alison, unimatrix001,

nice job!!!

[Lil Judd]

Hi everybody - want to start by saying sorry for not checking in. Daughter's play which she's tecking in, one of her friend's needing head shots which I then needed to pp a lot, one horse stepped on a screw & now has a swollen leg & limps (slightly lame) & one horse with a cough along with life in general - - I've simply not had time to stop on by. Doesn't mean I've not been thinking about the thread etc.

Originally Posted by Flora

Great job everybody!!!

Lil,

One thing you will realize working with Photoshop is that there is never only one way to get where you wish ....

One of the first thing I learned from Katrin Eismann R&R book (which I strongly recommend) was dealing with a problem similar to yours...

I'm not really one for "quick fixes", but this didn't even take a minute and it was done with a single Levels Adjustment Layer.

From Katrin Eismann's Book I learned that it is safe to assume that shadows cast on a (white) wall are neutral gray, so, with that in mind...

• Found the 'right' neutral grey spot in your picture. (Attachment 1)
  
  
• Opened a Levels Adjustment Layer:
  • Selected the 'Set Gray Point' eyedropper and clicked on the selected spot with it.
  • Moved nearly all sliders to fix the contrast. (Attachment 2)
  
  
• Clicked OK.

My workflow > (Attachment 3)
My result > (Attachment 4)

P.S. I worked on the full size tif image, so, the values I used should work for you as well.

Thanks Flora - I will look for that book & follow your wonderful instructions. Thank you for all the work & help.

Lil

Originally Posted by mligr

Hi,
here is my attempt. I used the 'Apply Image' approach described in the Eismann's book I mentioned earlier. I boosted the red channel 200% (multiply red channel on itself), weakened the blue channel a bit (lighten green channel on blue, 10%). Then I tweaked contrast with curves and did some small color adjustments.

The tiff is here:
http://www.box.net/shared/zprskuyzdg

Martin

Thanks Martin - tiff downloaded. The shot looks great. I almost have my Amulette with me again. Amazing what can be done in this program. Thanks for your help, time & effort.

Lil

Originally Posted by albatrosss

Flora,

How the heck can a photo that looked so bad be fixed with one click? As you said it took seconds to do. I would never in a million years have considered using that method.

Thanks again for your advise and expertise. Appreciated.

I'm with you albatrosss - how can one click do all that!

Lil

Originally Posted by Alison

Hi Lil,

Quick Fix from me as well, you can do more if you like. Cropped the image so as to focus more on the dog, and used the perspective tool to straighten the ridges in the tin. Used a levels adjustment layer, went to the individual channels and brought the sliders in to where the majority of the information is .... that was it. You can go ahead and adjust whatever else you feel is necessary.

Alison, great input about the perspective, cropping etc etc

Thanks for your help - - Lil

Originally Posted by Alison

Hi Lil,

Decided to give the little fella some eyes Can't remember what breed of dog it was that I nicked them from.

LOL - - remembering her beautiful eyes I have to admit the added eyes give me the shivers. ;-) She had the gentlest of eyes, so typical for a Boxer. Thanks Lil

Originally Posted by unimatrix001

thought i would give this a try just alittle late i guess
adjusted color cast using swampy's method modified slightly. duplicate background layer twice on first copy use average blur, use eyedropper to select that color. turn on opacity of second duplicate layer add a curves layer select the grey point eyedropper and click on the foreground color this will remove the color cast. came up with this.

Thank you unimatrix001 for your input & work flow for me to try out. Your help, effort & time is most appreciated. I'm saving every copy & instructions for me to refer to.

Thanks Lil

Originally Posted by Flora

albatrosss,

.... simply amazing isn't it???? .... I call it 'the incredible power' of Photoshop!!!

Alison, unimatrix001,

nice job!!!

Flora & the rest of you - - thank you all for helping me bring back my beloved Amulette. Part of me now misses her even more.

Lil

[Rhasval]

Originally Posted by Flora

Great job everybody!!!

Lil,

One thing you will realize working with Photoshop is that there is never only one way to get where you wish ....

One of the first thing I learned from Katrin Eismann R&R book (which I strongly recommend) was dealing with a problem similar to yours...

I'm not really one for "quick fixes", but this didn't even take a minute and it was done with a single Levels Adjustment Layer.

From Katrin Eismann's Book I learned that it is safe to assume that shadows cast on a (white) wall are neutral gray, so, with that in mind...

• Found the 'right' neutral grey spot in your picture. (Attachment 1)
  
  
• Opened a Levels Adjustment Layer:
  • Selected the 'Set Gray Point' eyedropper and clicked on the selected spot with it.
  • Moved nearly all sliders to fix the contrast. (Attachment 2)
  
  
• Clicked OK.

My workflow > (Attachment 3)
My result > (Attachment 4)

P.S. I worked on the full size tif image, so, the values I used should work for you as well.

THANKS A LOT Flora. It is amazing how easy things could be if you know how to do it. Great mini tutorial

Here is my try.

[Lil Judd]

Thanks Rhasval for your help & effort as well. So many wonderful people helping out. Amulette would have been thrilled knowing her personality.

Thanks, gives me so much to work with.

Lil

[Flora]

You are welcome Rhasval!!

Thanks for the feedback!!!

Great mini tutorial

...and great result you got!!! .... your contrast is much better than mine...

Lil,

I'm so glad if we could be of help!!

I'm a 'dog person' myself and share your feelings for these wonderful 'companions' ....