Help with the 2nd restoration picture i've done!

[Russell J]

First of all a big hello to everyone. I only joined a few mins ago!

I have done some work on this picture but it still needs something....

Any suggestions would be very warmly welcome.

Is it the levels i need to play with or a bit of smart blur?!?!

Help.

(i have waited up till 1:40am and have got to get some shut eye! So sorry if i don't reply to anyone for a few hours! I will check back in the morning. Night all)

[TommyO]

Basically, the image looks flat, just sort of the same across all elements. You may want to mask the people and slightly lighten them to enhance contrast within the image and bring attention to them. Use any means you prefer to lighten them, but from the look of the image it may take a little dodging or brushing to get it right (not just curves).

[HroadhogD1]

Hi, I just played around with your picture. I removed some of the noise, and added a color to the picture

[0lBaldy]

Russell, welcome to RetouchPro

I think you are off to a good start.. just needs some practice, practice, practice at not being so heavy handed. Try to be a little more careful with the brushes.

I put your original on top of your restore and set the mode to luminosity.. then masked just the scratches because the original seemed to have more detail and not as dark.
Shft+Ctrl+Alt+N+E (Merge all on new layer)
Ctrl+J (copy Layer)
ran it through "Neat Image" (The Demo edition of Neat Image is freeware for non-commercial use.)
Ctrl+J (copy Layer)
ran it through "Neat Image" again!
Changed Mode on first Neat Image layer to lighten
Changed Mode on second Neat Image layer to darken
Shft+Ctrl+Alt+N+E (Merge all on new layer)
Ctrl+J (copy Layer)
Ran Polaroid Scratch & Dust (free)to help with the black splotches
Shft+Ctrl+Alt+N+E (Merge all on new layer) Change mode to luminosity... unchecked all layer eyeballs except for the top layer and the bottom layer (your restore).. lower opacity a bit on the TOP layer to bring back some detail

Hope this helps some..

To finish the picture off ... Shft+Ctrl+Alt+N+E (Merge all on new layer) finish by using the clone, healing brush and clean the picture up some more paying attention to the details

[Russell J]

Oh wow! Thankyou so much what great help. What an amazing site i found.
TommyO That makes alot of sence thanks for that, very good tips.

HroadhogD1 Wow amazing job you did there thanks for that

01Baldy Thankyou so much for taking the time to reply all that information so so helpful thanks

And all works, mine now looks alot better

Thanks again for all your time