Photo Restoration - - scanning old books

ivymox · #1 04-22-2005, 08:47 AM

hello !!
I am scanning some old books to have clear copies to print.
Pages are a little brown because books are very old.
I use psp and have tried with histogram function, contrast, and so on, but i haven't still got perfect images to print (too clear, too contrast, grey background and so on

)
Some helpful tips or tutorial to have perfect pages without many things to do?
Excuse my English , I am from Italy.
Thanks
silvia

Dave Mamet · #2 04-23-2005, 04:28 AM

Hi Ivymox,

If you could post a small example of what you're trying to do, members on the board may be able to help you. They're very helpful and may provide an answer for you.

Dave.

Flora · #3 04-23-2005, 04:41 AM

Hi Silvia,

Welcome to RP!

As Dave suggested, it would be very helpful if you could post a sample of your 'problem' so we could give you specific advice ....

If you don't know how to attach a picture to your post, and are confused about size and resolution for your attachment, just follow the links under my signature and you'll find 'step-by-step' help ....

P.S. Your English is very good but, if you have any language related problem I'm from Italy too so, don't hesitate to contact me should you need help in that direction...

ivymox · #4 04-23-2005, 04:20 PM

thank you for the answers !!

The image of the page is here.
As you can see the page is a little brown: if you try to print in B/W you have a very dark page.
Then in the page you can see writing of the opposite page in transparency.
I'd like a very clear page to have a quality print.
I can work in ps or psp.
Thank you for the help!!
Hi Flora, where are you from?
byeeeeeeee !!!

MaryLynn · #5 04-23-2005, 05:23 PM

Hello, Silvia, welcome to RP.

I did a quick adjustment of your page in PSElements 2. I'm not sure if this would fit your needs.

Duplicate background
Levels adjustment layer (in RGB), adjusting the white point to get rid of colored background
Flatten Image
Change mode to grayscale

ivymox · #6 04-23-2005, 06:17 PM

I have tried : when background is ok, the rest of the image is too light. Please could you tell me the number of input/output for levels, so I can see how you do?
Thanks

Caitlin · #7 04-23-2005, 06:35 PM

When I tried just doing a levels adjustment it still left the text showing through. To fix this I also did a brightness/contrast adjustment layer (raised the brightness and contrast a little). You could of course just paint out the print through text as well. This is still in RGB hence the cast difference.

MaryLynn · #8 04-23-2005, 06:38 PM

When I flattened the image in the one I posted, I lost the numbers but trying it again, it looks as if this is pretty close.

black = 0
gray = 84
white = 183

At that point there will still be a slight yellow cast but when you convert to grayscale, it should be okay.

I have scanned several old books and also taken digital photos of old pages under less than desirable lighting. Usually I can get an acceptable print with this method.

Good luck!

MaryLynn

Caitlin · #9 04-23-2005, 06:44 PM

Ah - very clever MaryLynn - It seems I have it too ingrained in my head I have to make the black/white points at the edges of the chart! Of course - you are removing the first 'mountain' completely as that is the junk data! (sorry I'm not up on my proper terminology...)

One last thing you will need to clean up ivy, (If you want to go to the trouble) is the text on the front of the woman's dress.

MaryLynn · #10 04-23-2005, 06:50 PM

Don't worry about the terminology. I just moved the white point until it looked good. Don't ask me what was happening technically!

Yes, a little attention to the text will be needed but that is easy.

MaryLynn

sarabande · #11 04-24-2005, 08:37 AM

Putting a sheet of black paper behind the item that's showing print-through does make things a bit easier when it comes to scanning. This is assuming that it's black ink that showing through.

ivymox · #12 04-25-2005, 03:14 PM

Thank you, girls !!
is this a forum of artist women?
All your directions work perfectly !!
Thank you very much

MaryLynn · #13 04-25-2005, 05:52 PM

Quote:

is this a forum of artist women?

No, I understand there are more men than women on this forum. You just got lucky this time!

I'm glad it is working for you. I hope we hear more from you.

MaryLYnn

Flora · #14 04-27-2005, 06:17 AM

OOOOppppssss ...... sorry Silvia!!!

Got distracted and didn't get back to you ....

I see you got the solution to your problem ... (thanks MaryLynn for your great Tip!!!) .... Hope to see you soon again....

Take care

P.S. .... I'm from Milano .... you?

philbach · #15 04-27-2005, 08:10 AM

When I scan text and see the back page coming through I usually use curves instead of levels although both do the same thing.

In curves, in this image, I clicked the highlight box and then click into the input box in photoshop. I then press on the down arrow on the keyboard and watch the screen. When the bleed through text disappears I stop. In this case On the highlight side the input was 182 and the output 255.

Next I click on the black box and use the up arrow. In this case the input is 43 and the output is 0.