Photo Restoration - - Newbie - Need alot of help with this picture

Madelene · #1 07-28-2006, 04:48 AM

Hi, I had posted this image in another website and was referred to this one. I have been using CS2 for approx. 6 months, I know a little about cloning, layers, saturation levels, etc. I guess the basics, but not much more. I was given this picture by a dear friend, she wants to have it cleaned up, and most importantly, she wants to be able to see his eyes. When I attempt this I end up making the problems worse than the original, I have been primarily cloning (doing what I know).
What I would like is:
1: How to clean up the image
2. Restore the colors (or improve)
3. How do I eliminate the orange / dark spots?
4. How can I bring the eyes out?
The image I have is a 2 x 3, my friend wants to print several 8 x 10's or 5 x 7's to give as gifts.
Last but not least, instructions on how to accomplish this, please keep in mind that my CS2 powers are almost non existent so, walking me through this by holding my hand would be most appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

Littlecoo · #2 07-28-2006, 05:19 AM

G'day Madelene and welcome to RetouchPRO, this is definitly an excelent place to learn and develop skills. With regards to your request, it would be helpful if you could post your image here (or even just part of it) as a reference so the community here have an idea of what you're dealing with and how best to help you out. Look HERE and HERE for info on how to manage photo attachments in the forums if you are not sure of this, then you'll be in business!

Cheers for now

Madelene · #3 07-28-2006, 06:09 AM

It was too early in the morning

Gary Richardson · #4 07-28-2006, 08:02 AM

Hi Madelene,

Had a quick play with your image (haven't cropped it, though I think this would improve the framing).

First did a quick color correct using levels.

Using red channel, I roughly cloned out the red stained areas, being careful of the areas on the man's face.

Back to RGB channel.

New layer set to color mode and painted out some of the smaller red areas that were left using colors sampled from surrounding areas.

Now made a rough selection round dark area of eyes using quick mask. Copied and pasted to a new layer, then lightened using levels.

Flattened image, then created new layer and cloned out any remaining blemishes.

Bit of a crude job, but with a bit more time and care (which I don't have at the moment) I'm sure a much better result can be obtained.

Good luck with your restore.

Daviskw · #5 07-28-2006, 09:39 AM

Hi Madelene

I pretty well used Gary's techniques but lightened the picture a bit more. This produced a lot of noise in the dark areas of the eyes. I used some of Flora's techniques in using lighten and darken layers to even out some color and noise. I need lots of practice with this...lol

Butch

Flora · #6 07-28-2006, 12:30 PM

Hi,

Madelene,

welcome to RP!!

on my way out right now... but if you are interested I'll post the details later ...

Kraellin · #7 07-28-2006, 12:31 PM

flora strikes again. very nicely done, dear

craig

Cameraken · #8 07-28-2006, 12:32 PM

Hi Madelene
Welcome to Retouch Pro.

I adjusted levels of each channel and found the red channel contained the most detail (especially in the eyes). Unfortunately the red channel also contains all the damage

I repaired the red channel using the green channel and used this as the luminocity.
Curves to adjust the colour
Added a layer set to colour
Added catchlights to the eyes
Neat Image on the background
Sharpened the eyes
Whitened the teeth.

I agree with Gary that a crop would improve this picture.

Hope this helps.

Ken.

Madelene · #9 07-28-2006, 12:52 PM

Cameraken / Ken:

This looks great! I am trying to duplicate what you've done, but don't really know a whole lot about channels, I made a copy of red channel and cloned the areas that needed repair as suggested by Gary but do not see the results when I go back to RGB mode. I then tried to clone on the original red channel and was not able to do so, what I am doing wrong?

Daviskw · #10 07-28-2006, 01:15 PM

Hi Madelene

There are many ways, as usual, to accomplish the task in channels.

I used the red channel to select the areas I wanted to change with a good feather then changed to the green channel and copied to the clipboard. Then i returned to the red channel and pasted. I used a levels adjustment to match the tone. Then a little touch up from there.

Flora and ken...good work as usual, I did not think of adding eyes to the picture... I did not find them in the original. But it really makes the difference.

Butch

Cameraken · #11 07-28-2006, 01:37 PM

Hi Madelene

Gary and I did this slightly differently.
Gary repaired the red channel (in the channels) and then has gone back to working on the picture in the layers.

I copied the red channel out to a layer. I repaired it using a lightened green copy (but cloning would work as well)
Once the red layer was repaired I set the blending mode to luminocity
From there I think our methods are similar.

There are several ways to copy the red channel out to a layer. Here is one way.
1) Duplicate the background
2) Add a channel mixer adjustment layer
3) Slide the red slider to 100
4) Check the monochrome box
5) Click OK
6) Select all > Copy merged > Paste

That’s it the red channel is now in the layers palette.

Sorry if my method is not described very well and I can’t find a tutorial. Hopefully someone may be able to point you to a tutorial or explain the method better than I did.

Ken.

Gary Richardson · #12 07-28-2006, 02:11 PM

Hi Madelene,

Just to clarify a point, I did not work on a copy of the red channel. As Ken rightly said, I worked directly on the red channel.

This would not normally be the way I'd do it, but time was short so I cut a few corners. Sorry if this has caused any confusion.

Just like to commend everyone's efforts on this one, some really nice work, just what I'd expect from you guys.

I guess I really need to lighten up the face on mine, but I'll let it stand as a reminder not to rush a job.

Madelene · #13 07-28-2006, 02:47 PM

Thanks for all of the input, I reread and I think I understand the steps although I have not tried out yet (I'm still at work). So I'll give it a go when I get home tonight.

This is a great website, was not aware that it was here, I've learned more in one day than the whole 6 months I've had CS2!

Anyway, thanks again, I'll let everyone know how I did and post my "after", I hope it meets with everyone's approval!

Cameraken · #14 07-28-2006, 03:13 PM

Hi Madelene

I found a tutorial here
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-art-101/4769-tutorial-05-converting-color-image-black-white-grayscale-bw.html

The one called
“BEST BET (usually): Photoshop's Channel Mixer Adjustment Layer”

There is another method described called
“Pick a Color Channel, Any Color Channel”

It describes another way to get the channel out to a layer

Ken.

Madelene · #15 07-28-2006, 06:53 PM

Well I thought I knew what to do, I have done the following:
Made color correction (removed color cast)
Created channel mixer as suggested by Ken and that's where I'm stuck, I have a b/w picture now but when I try to clone and check my work, the colors are wrong (end up with blue wherever I touch up). Ken says he repaired the red channel with lightened green channel, what does he mean by this? Are you going back to channel and working in green?

I'm lost, I know how frustrating this is to everyone, but I need more help...