Image Help - - Please help me fix this picture!

hookedonpepsi · #1 08-14-2004, 09:28 AM

Could someone please help guide me through the process of fixing this picture for an older friend. I use paint shop pro 8 and the 9 beta, but also have access to photoshop cs. Thanks. The original uncompressed is located at:

http://www.deadzoom.com/member/the_s...uch1200ppi.jpg

Leah · #2 08-14-2004, 01:30 PM

How did you scan the picture? I ask because when I start trying to improve it some very obvious vertical scanning lines (or what appear to be scanning lines) appear and those are doing you no favours. What size was the original?

Noelf · #3 08-14-2004, 02:07 PM

I noticed the same problem. Some definite lines going through from top to bottom.

- Noel

kbeatrice · #4 08-14-2004, 02:23 PM

Hi I also noticed the same problems. I used your uncompressed version, and did a levels correction. I then used Neat Image to get rid of the red and blue noise (but the lines still remained). I desaturated the image which got rid of the blue color on the lines and lessened them some. I then cropped and used USM to sharpen some but this image is very soft so I don't think you'll be able to get it really sharp. Oh yeah, I used PS CS.

I agree that a better scan would probably be very helpful, at least at 300 dpi and if you can get a 16 bit scan that would be great.

This is a real challenge! Good Luck!

Karen

hookedonpepsi · #5 08-14-2004, 03:57 PM

Here is the picture rescanned at 400 and the deepest bit setting my scanner has. The original picture is sepia toned and approx. 2 3/4" x 4 5/8X in size. Uncompressed scan is at: http://www.deadzoom.com/member/the_s...00ppiagain.jpg

Thanks,
Terri

dc57 · #6 08-17-2004, 03:32 AM

Hi,
Using your uncompressed picture, I did a quick enhancement and touched it up with the airbrush tool. I also added a soft blur, cropped it a bit and gave it a sepia tone. This is just a quick sample, there is enough left of the original picture that, with a little more time you should be able to bring back the color.

take care
Don

Flora · #7 08-22-2004, 04:15 AM

Hi Terri,

Welcome to RP!

It might be too late, but I had a go at your picture...

I worked on the uncompressed one, but still noticed some "obvious vertical scanning lines" as Leah had already pointed out...

What I did was:

Used the Levels on each Channel to bring out more details.
Used Method 2 as decribed in this tutorial (duplicating the Luminosity Mask Level and playing with Blendings and Opacity) to further increase details.
Used Neat Image to remove some of the noise.
Used Video>De-Interlace to minimize the scanning lines.
Created a new empty Layer and with a soft black/white brush (Opacity 10%) I selectively enhanced parts of the picture.
Cleaned up a bit.
Lightly sharpened and colorized.

W. Rose · #8 08-22-2004, 11:22 AM

Hi Flora,
Nice work again as usual. Are you back home yet or you still out of your country?
Well anyway its nice to see you back on sometimes.

Wayne

Duv · #9 08-22-2004, 01:51 PM

Flora. I forgot all about this one. Never did get around to posting. Really like the detail you pulled out. I tried to use the Video Interlace without much success. As I recall I spent quite a bit of time trying to Heal out the lines. Also, instead of Neat Image, I used Noise Ninja as you can paint back pixels.. didn't like the blur effect on the trees. I think I also painted a bit of green on the trees as well as neutralizing the highlights and shadows.
Anyhow, well done. Let me know about the Video Interlace and how to use it.

Cheers
Dave

W. Rose · #10 08-22-2004, 05:09 PM

Hi Dave,
I would like to know about this Video Interlace also. If Flora gets back to you on this, let me know to.
Wayne

Flora · #11 08-24-2004, 05:20 AM

Hi Wayne, Dave,

Thanks so much for your kind comments!

Sorry to disappoint you but I really don't know much about the De-Interlace Filter...
I just use it following a trial-and-error method whenever an image is strongly 'lined'... Sometimes I get acceptable results ... sometimes not!

In my attachment you can see what I used and how while trying to restore this picture.... (I used the De-Interlace Filter right after a very 'soft' de-noising procedure with Neat Image).

Wayne,

I'm home (in Italy) right now and will remain here until the end of September ... From October onwards, I'll be living like a gypsy again until mid-late 2005

(when our new place will be finally ready for us to move in ...)

Dave,

I think you did a very nice job!
To improve on the "blur effect on the trees", you could try to selectively improve contrast and sharpness...