Photo Restoration - - OPR: Fixing Noise & Blur

irshgrlkc · #1 10-06-2006, 06:58 PM

Hi All,

After seeing some of the work done for OPR (klassylady & ziaphra) I decided I wanted to help out so I volunteered. I didn't want too difficult an image to start out with so I picked this one which looked deceptively easy in the tiny thumbnail.

Anywho, I have begun work on the photo attached and am having an issue with noise and blurriness. It looks as if the picture was photographed through the glass so a lot of fine detail is lost. Does anyone have suggestions as to how to mitigate the noise and preserve detail? We are not allowed to sharpen the image!

I've tried blurring the a and b channels, selective noise removal of the background, etc. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Attached Images:
1. Original
2. My work so far
3. Close up of the noise/blurriness of their skin

Thanks!

Kraellin · #2 10-06-2006, 10:54 PM

hi kerry,

i started with selections in the background and used psp's new color changer tool on these to darken a bit and put some color back.

i also selected out the people and used a lot of tiny clone at a medium and low opacity. there was also some push in there in very small areas or to clean up edges. i also ran psp's digital camera noise removal on that selection.

and despite your warning about sharpening, i also ran a mild usb on the same selection as the digi noise removal...just a small amount

that was pretty much it. you could run some color balance or brightening also, but i wanted to keep it pretty much how it was when taken.

craig

irshgrlkc · #3 10-07-2006, 02:39 PM

Thanks for the response Craig. I quite like your suggestion of changing the background color a bit so the people stand out. I'll post my finished later - hopefully today (crosses fingers).

Kraellin · #4 10-07-2006, 05:54 PM

cool beans

craig

klassylady25 · #5 10-09-2006, 10:03 AM

Run the changes on the background by Dave on OPR before sending it home. The purpose is to keep the integrity of the picture and not use creative license.

irshgrlkc · #6 10-12-2006, 11:50 PM

Hi All,

I think I am almost done with this. Keeping in mind that I am not aloud to sharpen

is there anything else suggested prior to sending it home?

Thanks for your input!

klassylady25 · #7 10-13-2006, 12:07 AM

Sharpening is allowed. You simply don't want to over compensate. I know it's hard. You should see the gal I'm working on now. She's coming along fine, but I'm trying to figure out what the background is..... if it's anything at all, save a blank wall. Sheesh....

Keep up the good work. I'm watching the progress in both areas!

philbach · #8 10-13-2006, 04:16 AM

I switched to lab and used a curves adjustment layer to increase contrast; I then increased saturation. I moved back into RGB and used neat image at a high setting. Later sharpened.

irshgrlkc · #9 10-13-2006, 08:00 AM

Nicely done Phil!

I hope mine looks as good as yours once the OPR people sharpen it.

Candy, thanks for tracking me. It's nice to know you're being looked out for.