How to minimize or get rid of grain

[Cindy]

I have a B&W wedding picture someone asked me to colorize, the picture they gave me to colorize is very grainy. I replaced the background to get rid of that grain, but on the bride and groom, how do I do it without making it to blurry? Here is a link to the original, ugh! http://www.pbase.com/image/28714457

Here is what I have done so far, just not happy with the grain.
http://www.pbase.com/image/28714216

Thanx for any help you can give.

Cindy.

[Leah]

I can't view the links you posted (get a message about having to be logged in as snobunny something or other), but my first piece of advice is to download NeatImage (http://www.neatimage.com) immediately. There's a paid-for version available, but the free "demo" version will probably do everything you need.

[Flora]

Hi Cindy,

Welcome to RP!

....Same problem as Leah when trying to view your pictures .... and same tip as well ....

You can upload your pictures (or simply part of them for privacy), here as well ... here is how to...

[Cindy]

Thanx so much for your replies, as far as neat image, I have it, but the grain is a bit to much for it I believe. Ok, here is the link again, I believe you couldn't get to it because it was checked private. http://www.pbase.com/image/28714457 Click next to see my fix. Ugh!

Thanx again, Cindy.

[Duv]

Hi Cindy

You say you didn't get acceptable results with Neat Image. I ran it thru and posted it here. Can you tell us where it's coming up short? Maybe someone knows how to improve the settings.

Cheers
Dave

[Cindy]

Hi Dave, it has to make such dramatic changes that it blurs the picture more, and it is not as sharp, seems I have to give on the sharpness to get rid of the grain, not sure which is the lesser of the two evils. Thanx a bunch for your attempt though. Cindy.

[W. Rose]

Hi Cindy,
I ran the photo thru neat image twice, and then cleaned up the parts that was left with the clone and heiling brush tools. I don't know if it means anything or not but i always use the USM last and after neat image and never before.
I'm not sure if this is what your looking for or not but this is what i came up with.
Wayne

[Xaran]

Hi Cindy,

Hope you don't mind my having a go at this.

Used pixel smart scale to increase resolution (working on the original scanned at 300dpi would have been better)

Used Flora's method of enhancing the image.

Dfine skin filter to smooth faces and neck of bride avoiding eyes, mouth etc.

Cloned out red spots and missing areas.

Masked background and added new radial fill layer using colours from original.

Added white on a new layer in overlay mode to whiten areas of the veil.

Christine

[Flora]

Hi everybody,

Cindy

I had a go at your picture ... like everybody else, I used Neat Image as well ... but in a slightly different way .... meaning I applied it to the dark parts of the picture only... as they were where the noise was concentrated.

What I did is:

• Duplicated the image twice and changed the duplicates to CMYK and LAB respectively.

• After checking the Channels in LAB and CYMK modes as well, I decided to use the LAB where I strongly blurred a and b channels to minimize the colour noise. Dragged the corrected LAB Background to the RGB picture... (I've been asked many times why I do this .... the answer is that I prefer to work in RGB as only in that mode all Filters and Tool are available...)

Here is when I used Neat Image ... and, with a Layer mask, applied it to the dark parts of the picture only.

• Run through Dust&Scratches to minimize/remove the remaining noise

• Merged visible.

TIP: to merge visible without losing any of the previous Layers do the following:

• Create a new empty Layer on top of all the others.

• Open your Layers Palette's Menu and, keeping the Alt key pressed, click on 'Merge Visible'.

A new Layer containing all your corrections will be created on top of all the other Layers containing each single step you took before. ....

• Used "Method 2: LUMINOSITY MASK" as described in my tutorial, to enhance the faded details.

After that it was cleaning up a bit, further enhancing some details, slightly sharpening and lightly colorizing.

[Vikki]

Beautiful, beautiful work Flora!!
The restored detail and noise removal is excellent.

[Flora]

Hi Vikki,

thank you so much for your great feedback!

I might be very cheeky .... but I'd just love to see it colorized by you!!!!!

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Flora

Hi everybody,

Cindy

I had a go at your picture ... like everybody else, I used Neat Image as well ... but in a slightly different way .... meaning I applied it to the dark parts of the picture only... as they were where the noise was concentrated.

What I did is:

• Duplicated the image twice and changed the duplicates to CMYK and LAB respectively.

• After checking the Channels in LAB and CYMK modes as well, I decided to use the LAB where I strongly blurred a and b channels to minimize the colour noise. Dragged the corrected LAB Background to the RGB picture... (I've been asked many times why I do this .... the answer is that I prefer to work in RGB as only in that mode all Filters and Tool are available...)

Here is when I used Neat Image ... and, with a Layer mask, applied it to the dark parts of the picture only.

• Run through Dust&Scratches to minimize/remove the remaining noise

• Merged visible.

TIP: to merge visible without losing any of the previous Layers do the following:

• Create a new empty Layer on top of all the others.

• Open your Layers Palette's Menu and, keeping the Alt key pressed, click on 'Merge Visible'.

A new Layer containing all your corrections will be created on top of all the other Layers containing each single step you took before. ....

• Used "Method 2: LUMINOSITY MASK" as described in my tutorial, to enhance the faded details.

After that it was cleaning up a bit, further enhancing some details, slightly sharpening and lightly colorizing.

Flora, I bow to you, many, many times. That looks EXCELLENT! I am very impressed. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, but I was shooting my nephews prom last night. I can't get over how wonderful it came out. I am not sure I can follow your instructions though, don't think I am quite that advanced. Never heard of using the LAB and CYMK mode, but would love to learn more, was this done with PS 7? I have PS 7 and PS Elements 2.0. I am going to print up your instructions here and attempt it though, I HAVE to, btw, I did scan the photo at 300 dpi, would it have been any better to scan even higher?
Thanx so much, and thank you to everyone else that has replied, you all gave me wonderful information to use. Cindy.

[Gary Richardson]

Flora, congratulations on an outstanding job. Personally I find the shadows on the faces a little harsh, but I say this in all humility, and know full well that I could'nt begin to do as good a job.

[Duv]

I was sure it was the right tool. Just didn't know how to "use" it. Your ingenuity constantly amazes me Flora!

Cheers
Dave

[W. Rose]

Flora,
As always, you have done a wonderful job. Bringing out the detail on the lady's dress is a master piece. I will do go back over my work and follow the instructions you provided.
Thank you again and i will continue to learn from your examples.
Flore, how do you know when to stop on a picture, i can never seem to know when to not try just one more technique. And this can be never ending.
Wayne

[Flora]

Wow.... many, many thanks to you all for your great comments!!!!

Cindy
so glad you liked it .... You know where to find me should you need it...
I work with Photoshop CS, but didn't use any of its new features for this restoration, so, you shouldn't have any problems with PS7.
As for checking CMYK and LAB Channels as first step in a restoration, is a habit I got...Sometimes, you can find real 'goodies' hidden there...
300 dpi is the resolution I scan my pictures too .... I find I get all the details without having to work with huge files...
Hope your nephews prom was a big success!!!

Gary
I might have overdone it a bit .... but I actually increased the facial shadows for an increased 3D feeling....
Thanks for pointing it out...

Wayne
I had to 'brainwash' myself to stop on a picture .... not anymore .... After trying my best I just accept the different range of satisfaction I get from the results I get ....

[Vikki]

I forgot about this one. (Flora wanted to see it in color)

[Flora]

Wow!!! Vikki .... that's fantastic!!!!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to do it!!!!!