Need some pointers on this image

[tomvason]

Can anyone assist me what is the best way to go about tackling an image like this?

This is the most damaged photo I've worked with in awhile and I'm a little rusty. Any help would be appreciated.

Tom

[Daro]

Wow, looks like a tough one.
I'd start by fixing the contrast and brightness with Levels, Curves or both. Then retouch out all the scratches. Looks like it's out of focus so you might want to play with the Unsharpen filter.

cheers
Daro

[TommyO]

Tom,
This is one of those photos that just isn't going to look sharp ever, unless you do an artistic retouch. It was not in focus, in fact it looks like it had a little movement when taken. The lighting was not good either - too bright.

After fixing the few minor damaged areas, you might try some very light dodge & burn. Of course work on a new layer. There are many techniques. The most common may be add a new layer filled with 50% gray; d&b on that with a soft low opacity (like 5%) brush, white to dodge, black to burn. Go slow.

[Liasson]

I'll say this is a tough one to work on!! These are the types that I work on most of the time. I would try to get the contrast fixed first. Then repair, repair, repair. Highpass it after the repairs and see it that gives it focus. I'm sure going to be looking for your restoration on this.

[0lBaldy]

Originally Posted by tomvason

Can anyone assist me what is the best way to go about tackling an image like this?
This is the most damaged photo I've worked with in awhile and I'm a little rusty. Any help would be appreciated.
Tom

Lots of artifacts showing.. any chance of posting a higher resolution COLOR scan with all automatic scanner stuff like contrast, ice, color, etc turned OFF..

You could post a link to the site that is hosting the larger version Use one of your own or any of these other host options:
ImageVenue.com (3Meg max, free) or pixentral.com (2Meg max, free) or photobucket.com (1 Meg max free,... 5 Meg PRO)-- .Flickr.com (5Meg max free.. BUT they resize to 1024 long side if you don't pay)