Photo Restoration - - Need help with scotch tape

ArkNsawer · #1 11-23-2005, 08:06 PM

Hello, I was wondering if anyone knows how to retouch a photo that has scotch tape on it? The tape has turned yellow and just happens to be covering the faces of the people. The photo is the only one we have with my great uncle in it. Any help you can give I would be very thankfully for.

Thanks,
Sharon Lee

Ken Fournelle · #2 11-23-2005, 08:20 PM

Sharon,

Check the channels. Often tape problems can be aleviated by using one of the channels that has the least damage.

Can you post the image---in RGB of course.

K

ArkNsawer · #3 11-24-2005, 10:17 AM

Hi Ken,
I'm not sure what you mean by checking the channels.

I tried to upload the file but it says file too large.

Sharon

Flora · #4 11-24-2005, 10:26 AM

Hi Sharon,

Welcome to RP!

If you have problems with the size of your attachments just follow the second link under my signature for a detailed 'how to' description...

ArkNsawer · #5 11-24-2005, 08:47 PM

Flora,

Thanks for helping me to reduce my picture.

I uploaded it, I hope it comes through.

Sharon

Cameraken · #6 11-27-2005, 10:48 AM

Hi Sharon

You still have not posted your picture

Ken

ArkNsawer · #7 11-29-2005, 09:02 AM

I have tried to reduce it following Flora's tips, but still can't do it. Can I send it to you, and you can put it on here?

Sharon

fpellerin · #8 11-29-2005, 09:47 AM

Try e-mailing it to me, if you want. I could try to post it for you.

Cameraken · #9 11-29-2005, 01:19 PM

Hi Sharon

No problem. Sharon.
Email it to me or Fpellerin.

Ken

ArkNsawer · #10 11-29-2005, 05:04 PM

Ken,

Yes it's a real pic. Thanks so much for your help. I tried to decrease it and couldn't get it to upload.

Thanks again,
Sharon

fpellerin · #11 11-30-2005, 05:50 AM

Hmmm...the picture you e-mailed me was only 41 KB. Should have no problems uploading...here it is!

Kraellin · #12 11-30-2005, 11:52 AM

sharon,

ok, we got us a picture

let's keep working on the size though. this one is pretty small. something in the realm of 800 x 600 pixels is fairly standard.

as to what to do, i'd say clone/heal the major tears first. then, mask the yellow area with a show all. convert the mask to a selection and run a color balance or curves (in the blue channel particularly) or hue map, or hue/sat/lightness or some other color adjustment tool (like Fast Fix) and get that yellow to something more near the rest of the image. then, kill the selection and run a color balance on the entire image. then maybe run Neat Image to clean up any noise or polaroid dust and scratch remover.

best of luck!

Craig

Flora · #13 11-30-2005, 12:24 PM

I have to agree with the others about your picture being on the small side and way under the allowed 100KB ....

As Craig suggested, 800x600 pixels is a good size for the 100KB limit ....
If you are confused about attaching you picture to your post, follow the first link under my signature for detailed help ....

P.S. Did you receive my PM?

NancyJ · #14 11-30-2005, 12:41 PM

IMO the best way to fix discolouration like this is in lab mode.
Covert to LAB
then select the lightness and b channels, you can see the strong discolouration in the yellow range. Copy the B channel to a new layer and you can work on it in greyscale, just colour matching the grey areas around the tape, you can be quite rough with it as most of the important information is in the L channel. When you're done, paste it back into the b channel of the original image and you should see a massive improvement, there is also a slight discolouration in the a channel and you will need a tiny bit of work on the L chanel around the tape edges.
I had a go quickly (took about 5 minutes) on the right hand side - its very rough, just to show you how quick and easy it is. I'd need a larger image to do it properly.
I've also attached the what the L&b channel look like together.

Byron W · #15 11-30-2005, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpellerin

Hmmm...the picture you e-mailed me was only 41 KB. Should have no problems uploading...here it is!

Here is what you can do.

1. Duplicate the layer.
2. Select the yellow area using the elipitcal marquee tool.
3. Go to EDIT>ADJUSMENTS>Hue and Saturation.
4. Select YELLOW from the drop down menu and then decrease the saturation of the yellow colors all the way down.
5. Now, while still in the Hue and Saturation adjustment box, leave the color set to Yellow, and then adjust the brightness slider all the way to the right.

PRESTO! The yellow should be gone completely.

Now you will have the tough part of cloning and sharpening the rest of the image.

Good Luck.
Byron