Scratch/Crease Problem

[curtism]

Have a look at the attached photo. How can the shading be fixed along the diagonal scratch? Every way that I've tried makes the photo look unnatural. Am I missing something obvious?

Repairing the scratch isn't the problem but fixing the tonal differences after the repair are more difficult.

I've attached a fresh copy for your consideration.


Thanks!

Curtis

[TommyO]

To me, the tonal differences extend beyond the scratch. The left side being darker than the right. I would just copy the entire thing to a new layer, then apply a curves adj. layer, masking one side along the crack border. Only then would I repair the crack, after the tonal differences are subdued. The mask will also allow isolating that little bubble between the boys at the bottom right.

A very good picture by the way. I really like the older ones where all the kids get together. We have a similar one of about 10 of my cousins - great !

[curtism]

Thanks, Tommy. I will try that and post the results.

By the way, the photo is between 85 and 90 years old. It was yellowed and, of course, creased but otherwise has held up well.


Curtis

[mistermonday]

Curt, I agree with Tommy that one side is darker than the other. My approach would be to select the crack and everything to the left of it. The magnetic lasso tool will do a nice and quick job as you can drag it along the crack then along the a sides to the left. Save the selection. Apply a curves adjustment layer. I would match the brightness of the girls dress on both sides of the crack (see attachment below). This will overbrighten a couple of the kids above her and to the left but you can use a black brush to paint on the curve layer mask to tone them down. Then load the selection and select the inverse of it to select the ride side of the image up to the crack. A Shadow / Hightlight adjustment will brighten the dark right side without affecting the midtones and highlights. Then you areonly left with the crack to repair.
Good luck with the restoration,
Murray

[Cupcake]

Use the healing tool on a angle right to left.
It seems to blend it better.

I had to paint some of the missing parts also.

This is harder then it looks.

[Steve13]

85-90 years old? that would place it 1919-1924 if my math is correct.
Boy top center is wearing plastic frame glasses?
Several girls have pageboy haircuts popular 50's-60's.
Girl on right has black watch on arm.
Pic and clothing styles look more like my childhood pics from the 50's. Any ideas?

[0lBaldy]

Multiply layer with reflective gradient mask
Mostly used the history brush set @ multiply and Screen to even things out
patched and cloned the creases/scratches
Scratch & dust filter masked
noise reduction using Imagenomic Noiseware(masked)

[Nan]

I don't know about that watch but here's a picture of my mom in 1935 with the same haircut and her dress is very similar.
Nan

[Steve13]

Well, I'm probably mistaken then.
It just hit me as later pic.
Probably depends on the geographical area too.
All of my early 1900 pics are rural midwest.

[lej]

Ok, this is my first time trying to help, so I hope the attachment doesn't get lost. I just did curves adjustment layer and used my best friend Clone tool. Cheers.

[unimatrix001]

One thing that might help with the crease if you have access to the picture scan the image save it ... and turn it 180 degrees and scan it again then place the images on separate layers... set top layer to difference to align the photos. once aligned set top layer to either lighten or darken blend mode. this should make the crease more manageable.

[curtism]

Steve,

Your post made me wonder about the age of the photo also. I asked the owner if he knew anyone in it and it turns out that the little girl on the front row in the center was born in 1924. I am revising my estimate of its age to 78 to 81 years. Thanks for calling attention to it.

Cupcake, I'm trying your idea now. It seems easier to me than making an accurate selection.

Unimatrix001, I will experiment with your idea tonight and report back.

Thanks to all who posted on this problem. You've all reinforced the beauty of Photoshop in that it provides multiple ways to solve a problem.

Curtis