Photo Restoration - - Ideas on how to colour this photo?

Caitlin · #1 08-13-2005, 10:19 PM

I really haven't tried colouring seriously, so don't quite know where to start. This photo that I recently discovered seems like it might be a good candidate, and I was hoping some of those gifted at this art might give me some pointers and ideas!

Attachment 1 is the unrestored version, 2 is restored. I'd also be interested in people's opinions if this woman is the same as the woman in attachment 3. If she is, then she is my grandmother! As she died when my mother was very young, she cannot identify her easily.

Kraellin · #2 08-14-2005, 12:07 PM

cathy,

lovely woman and lovely restoration!

and, i would say yes, it's the same woman. i put them side by side and sharpen more'd the unrestored one. no other cleanup, just the sharpening to help make the id.

Craig

MaryLynn · #3 08-14-2005, 12:52 PM

Caitlin, I love the monochromatic effect of the original and your nice restoration. In this case I would say less is more. I just added a copper gradient and a little color on soft light layers.

Please excuse any rough edges. I'm working with a new monitor and one of my eyes is giving me problems.

Caitlin · #4 08-14-2005, 05:12 PM

Thanks for the confirmation Craig - the more I looked at the few photos I had last night, the more convinced I became. Extraordinary that my mother has never seen this photo before!

You're right MaryLynn, I think very subtle shadings are the way to go. I don't think I have grasped 'soft light' yet, but I will have to give it a go!

michaelbeard · #5 08-15-2005, 07:05 AM

The eyes mouth and chin match too well, not to be the same.

One pic on top of the other.

Dreamypix · #6 08-15-2005, 09:42 AM

Here's the coloring rendition I came up with. If you would like to know how I did it, let me know and I will write the steps for you.

~Amber~

Billfields · #7 08-15-2005, 03:22 PM

Amber,

I think you did a terrific job! The color fits the picture very well. I'm especially impressed with the flowers and planter. I would like to know the details of what you did.

Bill

blaart · #8 08-15-2005, 03:30 PM

Hi,

Here's an unfinished version. As you can see I mainly concentrated on the skin, though I think I've gone a little overboard on the pink tones. Ambers is better.
(I'm still very new to this colouring lark!)

I will colour the flowers etc. try to alter the skin a little and repost sometime soon.

Great picture & restoration btw.

Nick

Caitlin · #9 08-15-2005, 03:56 PM

Thanks everyone for their ideas! Amber, your rendition is wonderful. I would really love to get some steps from you.

I've also attached another version of the portrait. After posting it last time I removed a bit of the paper pattern noise.

Billfields · #10 08-15-2005, 04:13 PM

Caitlin...

I was looking at the second image thinking to clean it a bit an color it (the other was getting all the attention <G>) but I think the repair is beyond my skill. A couple of thoughts tho. I do think they are the same lady as I think you decided. And I assume you noticed the photo was altered. She is holding the hand of someone who has been removed. Looks like maybe a child. Might be worth looking to see if anyone in the family has the origional.

Bill

Kraellin · #11 08-15-2005, 04:13 PM

amber,

that is really lovely! very nicely done!

and nick, i like yours as well.

cathy, what a great photo and you're really doing it justice

Craig

Kraellin · #12 08-15-2005, 04:16 PM

and cathy,

might i suggest that there are a couple of other pictures within that picture. a head and shoulders crop would make a lovely pic. the pot/vase/flowers would make a great pic also.

and, if you're so inclined, i think this would make a great pic to post in the photo art area. i can easily see some oils and water colors here.

Craig

Caitlin · #13 08-15-2005, 05:04 PM

Hi Craig,

You are right - there are a couple of nice detail areas as well in this picture. I fell in love with it as soon as I found it, even when I wasn't sure who it was!

I will have a think about your suggestion on the photo art forum. My mother is very sensitive about her privacy and the memory of her parents, so I think may not like it if I let it be used elsewhere, or played with too much. I think I can picture what you are saying though and it could produce some nice results, but I think for now staying in the restoration forum somehow seems more respectful (sorry - that sounds daft, doesn't it??)

Bill - you are right - my mother spotted the hand too. I can only assume that it is her holding my mothers hand, though it is odd that she has been cut out of the photo. Sadly there is no one else in the family to check with - my mother was an only child, both of her parents immigrants from England with no roots left that I know of. I found this photo, with a lot of other unidentified photos in an old cigar box, basically all that is left of my grandparents, that I'm now sifting through, trying to find the patterns.

ps. Craig - I'm Caitlin not Cathy! *lol* (Though I'm very flattered - I really admire Cazubi's work!)

Kraellin · #14 08-15-2005, 09:16 PM

Quote:

(sorry - that sounds daft, doesn't it??)

not in the least.

Craig

urp! caitlin! (not cathy!) (now who looks daft!)

Caitlin · #15 08-16-2005, 05:24 AM

Well you will see from the attached why colouring scares me off a bit - I'm just not good at laying it on! What do people think - too subdued? And I guess the $1000 question is, does it look nice coloured, or should it stay sepia?

Also I do find it hard to do the cross over areas well - ie. the hair/forehead/around the ear - I would love some advice on the best way of overlaying the hair and skin shading with a natural looking result?

Also, I'm very aware of Vikki's advice not to leave anything grey, but I'm not sure how to overcome this when I think I'd quite like the idea of leaving a lot of the image white?