decipher faded hand written text

[patalford]

I have come into possession of an old photo of my Father(RN 1925)On the back is a message to his Mother that has faded with age.I am a complete novice.Any ideas anyone?

[Britsdad]

Hiya patalford
Here's a thread, from some time back now, that may help.

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...rs-please.html

Good luck...John

[mistermonday]

Pat, welcome to RetouchPro. I am not that great at reading handwriting but I have attached a few contrast enhanced versions hoping you can interpret some of the writing. It appears to start as follows: "Mother, I think if my photos are ? I am ? you box to give ....
With these faded images you maximize your chances of recovery by getting a high resolution scan on a quality scanner that has a high dynamic range. If you have the original, you might want to rescan it or have it professionally scanned on a high end or drum scanner.
Regards, Murray

[patalford]

Thanks a million Murray.I will try to find someone with a high spec scanner.I only have a cheap Brother DCP-150.Can I impose and show my ignorance and ask what are the best.Would the local library be any good?
Pat

[mistermonday]

IPat, if you just need a one-time scan, you can take the photo to a photograpic services / retouching business and get them to scan it for around $10. If you are planning to purchase a scanner, there are a lot of them out there. I would check out Epson who make afordable good quality scanners. An important spec is the Dynamic Range which is the range from shadow to highlight that the scanner will effectively capture detail - especially in the shadow areras.
If you plan to do your own scan, here are a few suggestions:
- Scan at 600 0r 1200 dpi
- turn off all of the scanner's Auto Adjustments - No descreen, no denoise, no auto color, no auto contrast, no auto anything.
- Import a raw scan in PS or other image editing s/w. Leave it in 16 bit if your scanner offers that option. Save the file as a TIFF or PSD but preferably not as a jpg or any other file that uses lossy compression.
- Scan the photo in color even if it was originally a B&W photo/
- If possible, scan a 2nd time at 90 degrees rotation to the 1st scan position. Sometimes orientation in one direction will reflect differently often revealing information you don't catch on the 1st pass.
Regards, Murray

[patalford]

Thank You once again Murray.I am from England.I will follow your advice and take it to my local Staples.
Pat

[Britsdad]

Hiya Pat,

Little more time tonight, thought I'd have a try with your document.

First I added a black and white adjustment layer and fiddled with the settings, got red -88 yellow +179 all the rest 0, added a levels layer set at black 61 , white 255, midpoint 0.96 The attachment is at these settings.

It is tantalizingly close to being able to be read, but not quite. I think with a better scan at high resolution as Murray says you will get it readable (just)

Not sure about Staples for the scan, though I'm not sure where else to get one, PM me and tell me where abouts in UK you live and I'll see if I can find a good scanner for you. (I have a few contacts who have pro scanners)

Regards....John

[patalford]

Thanks John.As you say so close.17 words I can now decipher.PM sent.
Pat