Need some imput on how to proceed...

[vinniesworld]

Hello, Need a little help on the best way to attack this pic.
Thanks,
Vinnie

[Gary Richardson]

Hi Vinnie, difficult to see from your posted image, but it looks like the major problem is a lot of cracks across the image. There are several ways to deal with this problem, try looking in the tutorial and tips sections here at RP.

As the background is basically plain, the method I would use is to make a loose selection in the background area, copy and paste to a new layer, set blend mode of new layer to lighten, then move your selection up, down, or sideways a few pixels. This will eliminate a lot of the cracks. Then its a lot of patching and cloning I'm afraid.

But if you want to know my general workflow for a B&W image like this, its as follows.

Adjust framing of shot (where necessary).
Adjust brightness and contrast.
Remove major blemishes and cracks.
Remove minor blemishes and faults.
Adjust local brightness and contrast.
Sharpen (where necessary).

[Flora]

Hi Vinnie, Gary,

Besides scratches etc, I found the incredible 'flatness' of this picture to be the biggest problem ...

Here is what I did:

• Duplicated Background Layer.
• Selected the couple using the method described in this Tutorial with the difference that for your picture I used the Red Channel then copied and pasted the selection on its own Layer (Ctrl+J)
• I used a Radial Gradient to replace the background and added a bit of noise (Uniform, Monochromatic, Amount 60%). I didn't merge new Background and 'Couple Layers' until the end... but I merged visible the Couple Layers several times during the restoring procedure.
• To brighten up the couple a bit and add a bit of contrast , I duplicated the Couple Layer and set its Blending to Screen (adjusted Opacity).
• I duplicated the Screen Layer changing the Blending to Soft Light (adjusted Opacity).
• I smoothen noise and compression artifacts using the 'combination' method described here.
• I removed the scratches on the young woman's dress using Dust&Scratches.
• I Created a new empty Layer blending: Overlay and, with a soft white/black brush (Opacity 10-30%), I carefully painted over the details I wanted to enhance.
• I used USM to slightly sharpen the Couple Layer.
• Merged Visible (Background and all).
• I used Hue&Saturation to colorize the whole image lightly.

Hope this helps.

[vinniesworld]

Thanks for the imput Gary and Flora, I have to get out of here and go to work but I'll work on this project tonight.
@Flora - Your results are great!
I'll post my attemps later, again thanks to both of you.

[vinniesworld]

Thanks for your help, here's the pic after I got done.

[Gary Richardson]

Nice job Vinnie, for some reason I've got a line going through the woman's hair just to the right of her ear. I presume this does'nt exist on the original, and is just a quirk of the posting system. I've had it do wierd things to some of my posts before now. Keep up the good work.

[Flora]

Hi Vinnie,

thanks again for your kindness ....

Really nice job!!! Just one small thing .... your selection of the couple is excellent but for a light line (selection halo) on the lady's upper arm, on the left side of the picture ....

Gary,

I think it is "a quirk of the posting system" because I couldn't see any line .... but, maybe, I just need to replace my glasses!!!!

[vinniesworld]

@ Gary - You're right, after I got done with the picture I wasn't happy with the hair on the right side of the pic and I made the mistake of copy/paste without feathering the left edge. And yes you do have good eyes, I couldn't see it until I zoomed way in. I just deleted that last layer fixing the problem.

@ Flora - About the halo effect, what's the best way to correct this, since it's a result of feathering the selection. I used to use another technique that I thought worked good, after making the selection I would go to Selection/Modify/Border and set it at around 4 pixels, then blur the 4 pixel edge.

Thanks again for the help and input. This is a great site and I find myself visiting several times a day.