Photo Restoration - - Washed Out, In Front of Window Image

rnbluvva · #1 11-22-2005, 04:41 PM

Well here is yet another image from a cell phone! This one has awful lighting. The light from the window is destroying so much detail.

I tried to bring back some detail with a curves AL, but it really darkened the mother's face.

Any tips on how I can get this more tonal without muddying up the features? Also, how would I restore detail?

I am posting the original and the curves adjusted one.

Legacy~Art · #2 11-22-2005, 05:08 PM

Hey how is it every time you add a post yours is huge, i just noticed that in another thread, your posting is larger are you using html or something like that, or is it cos your adding music?

rnbluvva · #3 11-22-2005, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legacy~Art

Hey how is it every time you add a post yours is huge, i just noticed that in another thread, your posting is larger are you using html or something like that, or is it cos your adding music?

Hey Legacy~Art,

I have no idea. My settings are just the normal RTP ones. I don't use HTML and I created my signature in the profile signature creator. There is no HTML coding, just the UBB link.

I don't see the post as big from here. Is it the text you are talking about or something else? What browser are you using? I am using Mozilla Firefox. Let me check it in IE and see if there is something going on.

I am sure it has nothing to do with my signature tho.

It's a mystery!

Legacy~Art · #4 11-22-2005, 05:23 PM

No Nat its actually you thats stretching the boxes you are posting due to this

Location: My Suitcase Mostly... but sometimes Maryland, sometimes Toronto, ON and sometimes Vancouver, BC!

You are posting your location which is stretching the boxes you are posting, its funny, but its not my pc, that is doing it, your description of your location is!

Have a nice day

Ella

rnbluvva · #5 11-22-2005, 05:25 PM

OMG I am so sorry! I will fix that right away! Thanks for telling me.

Legacy~Art · #6 11-22-2005, 05:36 PM

Woooooooooooooooooohoooooooooooo we now have a fixed board!!!

Got to say girl you have an amazing singing voice!

leuallen · #7 11-22-2005, 05:48 PM

Try USM (unsharp mask) with amount about 25 and radius at max. This reduces the hazyness. Then play with curves.

Larry

rnbluvva · #8 11-22-2005, 06:52 PM

Larry,

Thanks a million for the tip. I am going to try that tonight! Wish me luck!

philbach · #9 11-22-2005, 07:32 PM

I tried Image adjustment and neat image in photoshop CS2. Its still leaves a lot to be desired though.

rnbluvva · #10 11-22-2005, 07:43 PM

Phil,

Yeah. I think this is a real toughie. I am thinking that there may not be much that can be done because the image quality is so poor to begin with and then the light washing out a lot of the image does not help! LOL

But I am gonna give it a shot tonight.

rnbluvva · #11 11-22-2005, 08:18 PM

OK.. I tried the USM approach with a Levels AL and a pass thru Neat Image with very soft settings. Using default NI settings caused the whole thing to look globby!

I wonder if there is another approach or if this is as good as it is going to get because there is really no data in the extreemely black and white regions of the image.

I tried to do Katrin Eismann's fill flash technique, but that did not work to improve the image.

Tough one!

I'm thinking I should maybe work with what I have here and make this look kind of saintly and work the hazy effects already present into the image. What do you think?

Duv · #12 11-22-2005, 08:54 PM

Nice job Nat! I came up with a lighter version but not as good as yours. To simplify the image, you might want to consider cloning out some of the background. I'm not sure it adds anything leaving it in.

Cheers

Dave

rnbluvva · #13 11-22-2005, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duv

Nice job Nat! I came up with a lighter version but not as good as yours. To simplify the image, you might want to consider cloning out some of the background. I'm not sure it adds anything leaving it in.

Cheers

Dave

Hi Duv! Hope all is groovy in your world

Thanks! Gosh this is a really hard one! I think I am going to clone out some of the background for sure.

I tried fiddling with a fresh copy using the Shadow/Highlight feature. I posted it in another thread:
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/att...chmentid=26925
It does give back some detail, but there are these strange artifacts that are now popping up. Some serious pixelation or something. I am not sure what way to go now.

The settings I used for the Shadow/Highlight pass were:
SH Values are as follows:
SHADOWS
Amount: 60%
Tonal Width: 50%
Radius: 30%

HIGHLIGHT
Amount: 42%
Tonal Width: 90%
Radius: 100%

ADJUSTMENTS
Color Correction: +20
Midtone Contrast: 0
Black Clip: 0.01%
White Clip: 0.01%

I think with this image it's sort of the lesser of two evils. More detail means more artifacts, less detail means more fuzz/haze.

LOL

Duv · #14 11-22-2005, 10:03 PM

Ya, this is what I ended up with after playin with Highlight/Shadows, Neat Image and some LAB curves..You're right. It all seems to be about compromise. And thanks, I'm groovin along just fine!

Cheers

Dave

rnbluvva · #15 11-22-2005, 10:07 PM

Good try Dave!

My eyes are bugging out with this one for real! I am thinking that I am gonna go for less artifact, more haze and try to make it work to my advantage.

Highlight/Shadow brings up too many artifacts for my liking and getting them gone with Neat Image makes the Mum look like half her head belongs to an alien.

It's just not gonna get sharp or 'pretty' regardless of what I do to it I think.

Glad yer groovin!