Help!!

[Darren Gibson]

I previously posted my request for help in the techniques forum by mistake!!

If anyone can advise where to start on restoring my Grandad's face (image attached) I would be very grateful.

Thanks

Darren

[Flora]

Hi Darren,

Welcome to RP!

I had a go at your picture .... (never thought I would get anywhere with it!!!)

Well ... I didn't get too far ... but here is what I got ....

Let me know if it's acceptable and I'll post a detailed description on how I got there ... (how much time do you have?? ... Just kidding!!!)

[Gary Richardson]

Great job Flora, I tried having a go at this one myself, but stopped when hitting my head against the wall got too painful. If Darren does'nt want to know your steps, I definitely do.

[Darren Gibson]

Thanks Flora,

What a great job! I would love to know how you did it please. If I can get my attempt anywhere close to yours, I will be more than happy with it.

Thanks again

Darren

[Flora]

Gary, Darren,

thank you so much for your kindness!

You asked for it .. ... Ready? Here it comes...

• Duplicated the Background Layer.
• Run Levels on Each Channel and discovered that the picture had 'probably' been 'hand painted'.
• Duplicated the corrected Layer.
• Run Filter > Other > Minimum, Radius=1.
• Duplicated the 'Minimum' Layer and run Polaroid Dust & Scratch Removal, Dark Dust first.
• Added a Layer Mask (Black=Hide All) to the D&S Layer and with a soft white brush I painted on the Mask to show the corrections.
• Merged Visible. (here is how to do it without losing the underlying Layers)
• Run Polaroid Dust & Scratch Removal, Light Dust.
• Added a Layer Mask (Black=Hide All) to the last D&S Layer and with a soft white brush I painted on the Mask to show the corrections.
• Used the combination Neat Image+Gaussian Blur as described in this Tutorial to minimize the noise.
• Merged Visible.
• Used the Patch Tool and the 'Copy and Float' technique to fix scratches and the biggest spots.
• Duplicated the Merged Layer setting its Blending to 'Screen' and adjusting its Opacity to brighten up the image a bit.
• Created Several new empty Layers, Blendings: Lighten, Darken, Overlay, Color and Normal, to correct, emphasize selected parts of the picture. (Lighten the still darker spots, darken too light areas, add dimension, correct discolorations, etc.)
• Used the 'Set Grey Point' picker of the Curves on a darkish area just under the right coat collar....Wow ... I was amazed to see the original colouring coming alive!!!
• Used empty Color and Overlay Layers to correct and increase the colour.
• Used the 'Smudge Tool' for his hair.
• Used Selective Colors and Levels to improve colour and contrast.
• Used USM to sharpen the picture slightly.

[Gary Richardson]

Unbelievable job Flora, should be downloaded and kept as inspiration to all who look at an image and think "nothing can be done with this". Thanks for the breakdown on your restore, will have to look at this one carefully, too much to take in on a first reading.

[Darren Gibson]

Thanks again Flora,

You deduced correctly - it was originally hand coloured in oils. The extensive damage (which, ironically, is confined to the area around the head) was due to damp getting into the paper whilst it hung on the wall.

To say I am very impressed with your results is an understatement. I will have to practice the techniques on something simpler first, but you have definitely pointed me in the right direction.

Darren

[Flora]

Gary, Darren,

.... thanks again for your kind words!!!

I was so glad to see this incredibly sweet toddler's face surface from behind the damage curtain ....

Please, don't hesitate to contact me should you have questions about the technique I used .... and, in case you still don't have it, you can download the 'Polaroid Dust & Scratch Removal' Filter free here

[tell]

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Hello Flora. Do you work in forensic's as an reconstruction expert?.... Mind boggling what you did to the grandpa boy. ... When you do a level adjustment on each channel, what technique should you use. That is, what is the process one must go through. I tried it but after l changed each channel the end result was way of colour. .... Tell.

[Flora]

Hi Tell,

thank you so much for your great feedback and kind words!!

No, I don't work in forensics .... (even if I've been asked to a couple of times...)

As for using the levels on the individual Channels, ... well, nothing too 'fancy' ...

After opening the Channels Palette, I start with the 'Red' Channel (Image 1)

I open the Levels dialog Box (Ctrl+L) and look at the position of the Light and Shadow sliders. (Image 2)

If necessary, I move them to enclose the diagram.... (Image 3)

I repeat the procedure with the other Channels ....

If the resulting Image is either too dark or too light or too contrasty after the procedure, you can always correct it with the help od the 'midtones slider as well ....

Hope this helps...

[tell]

Thanks Flora, I guess changing the channel levels takes practice... Including diagrams with your tips and support really helps. Have just checked out filter, other, minimum. Never really inspected this filter before. Maybe l thought Others meant not for me.......