Lookin' for help

[Poppi]

I've been a RP member for a little while and have used information and tutorials that have been a tremendous help. Thanks to all of you for this resource. I have been restoring photos for friends as a hobby and love doing it. I first used Katrin Eismann's book and completed many of her tutorials, but this photo is a little much for me. It is about 55 or 60 years old and I know the little girls dress is pink with white lace trim. The stains are extensive and I'm not sure how to start with this one. Thanks ahead of time for any help you can offer. Poppi

[Axleuk]

Ohhhhh FLORA !!!!!!!!!!! Where art thou !!!!!!!

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by Poppi

I know the little girls dress is pink with white lace trim.

You mention "pink," so is your intent to colorize this after the damage is repaired?

[MBChamberlain]

Just a quick attempt, I'm glad you won't have to deal with that much artifacting...

I ran the image through Neat Image a couple of times (had to go a little heavy handed to reduce the appearance of the jpeg artifacts).
Cloned and healed the damage on her dress.
Curves and levels to bring out the detail.
Colorized the image (I couldn't see the lace trim on the dress, with the original, it should be possible) for info on my colorizing method (and to see a better example of the method) view my submission for retouching challenge #24.

I only spent 5 minutes on it, but it could look really good if you took some time.

Michael

[Gary Richardson]

Hi Poppy, Had a quick play with your image. Basically I ran Polaroid Dust and Scratch Filter, then cloned out remaining defects, then colourised, thne ran Neat Image to reduce noise.

[Poppi]

Thanks for the help... I do appreciate it. I will try your suggestions on the original, which is 11.2 MB of info so a lot more data to work with for sure. The collar is actually white lace, and I do want to put some of the color back into the picture. You are all awesome... thanks again! Poppi

[Flora]

Hi everybody,

Great Jobs!!!!

Michael,

I would go very, very easy in desaturating eyes but particularly teeth... they just tend to look grey and darker!!!!

Poppi,

Welcome to RP!

I was very curious to see the lace trim as apparently there was none to be seen ... But yep... you were right ... it was there alright ... a nice lace collar!

To bring that out I did the following:

1) Duplicated the Background and changed the duplicate into LAB.
2) Copied the LAB Lightness Channel, pasted it on top of my RGB background and worked on that.
3) Run byRo excellent JPEG Clean-up action (can be downloaded here, from our new Resources Section).
4) Created a Luminosity Mask (the action I wrote for it can be downloaded here)
5) Working on the Luminosity Mask, I run the Curves (Method 1) as described in this Tutorial, to bring out more details .... That's when I saw the lace collar and that the dress and socks were pink....
6) Like Gary, I used the polaroid Dust&Scratches Filter (can be downloaded free here) to remove dark and light dust.
7) I used the Blur Tool (Normal, Opacity 40-50%) to further smoothen the girl's skin.
8) I colorized the picture (nothing to write home about.... )
9) Finally I created a few blank Layers (settings Overlay, Soft Light and Screen) and with a soft Black/White brush I selectively painted over areas I wanted to lighten, darken. emphasize.

[Axleuk]

^ There she is !!!

[Flora]

Originally Posted by Axleuk

^ There she is !!!

Thanks!!!

[MBChamberlain]

I know, I know...I actually didn't desaturate them, I just didn't get around to doing them, that's what I get for posting something I did in a hurry as an example. (And why I sent you to a better example).

Take care,

Michael

PS Beautiful as always Flora.

[ChrisVas]

I tried Flora's instructions (always brilliant) for enhancing detail on the overexposed areas of an old photo and it worked well except for when it came to painting in the Curves adjustment layer mask. Nothing happened when I used a brush. I was able to choose the areas that I wanted to alter and inverse, feather and filled with black so that worked but I'm wondering why I couldn't paint with a brush and if anyone else has experienced this problem?

[Duv]

Coming after Flora is like Hamburger coming after Filet Mignon.

Cheers
Dave

[Poppi]

Well folks, sorry I couldn't get back to you as soon as I would like... out of town business trip. Anyway, I'm so glad I found this site a few months ago. I agree Dave... about the hamburger after filet... but all of you are so talented it just absolutely amazes me all the time. Let me say thanks to Flora, you and everyone for the help. All of you are an inspiration!! Poppi

[Flora]

Hi everybody!

Thanks for your great comments!!!!

Michael,

Originally Posted by MBChamberlain

I know, I know...I actually didn't desaturate them, I just didn't get around to doing them, that's what I get for posting something I did in a hurry as an example....

OOOOooooppppssss .... sorry ... didn't want to 'sound' like a patronizing old teacher ....

P.S. Thanks for you comment!!!


ChisVas,

Originally Posted by ChrisVas

I tried Flora's instructions (always brilliant) for enhancing detail on the overexposed areas of an old photo and it worked well except for when it came to painting in the Curves adjustment layer mask. Nothing happened when I used a brush. I was able to choose the areas that I wanted to alter and inverse, feather and filled with black so that worked but I'm wondering why I couldn't paint with a brush and if anyone else has experienced this problem?

It did happen to me as well .... and after playing with the idea of 'murdering' Photoshop .... I realized my Brush was set to Color and had 30% Opacity .... .... soooo ....

Did you check Mode and Opacity of your Brush?
Was the 'Airbrush' Option selected?
Was the brush the right 'Color'? (white for a black Mask and viceversa...)

Hope this helps....


Dave,

..... What's wrong with hamburgers ?? I looove them!!!!


Poppi,

So glad you liked it .... Thanks for your kindness!!!