Photo Restoration - - b&w restoration

punkjumper · #1 10-13-2007, 12:40 PM

I'm having trouble getting any definition from this pic. the original was yellowed. All I've really done is use the b&w filter to get rid of the yellow cast. I've played with curves, levels, channel mixer etc to try to bring out more definition, but none looked very good. any tricks I could try?

lurch · #2 10-13-2007, 03:32 PM

Starting with the yellowed rgb file, I adjusted tone in two separate moves. Didn't address anything else, like the silvering damage, cleanup, noise reduction, or sharpening. First step was desaturating the file. For this I made a Channel mixer adjustment layer, emphasizing the blue channel and cutting back on the red and green. Then came a curves adjustment layer, with the blue channel from the background (yellowed) layer as a layer mask, to set the white point and bring out definition in the lighter parts of the image. Above that was another curves adjustment layer with the inverted background blue channel as a layer mask; that one I used to set a black point and get some contrast into the darker image parts. Something like this should give you a good start at restoring the photo.

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punkjumper · #3 10-13-2007, 04:10 PM

thanks Lurch, I'll give those steps a try.

Flora · #4 10-15-2007, 05:02 AM

punkjumper,

if you work with Photoshop CS or higher, you could also try a Shadow/Highlight adjustment.. It's a single step adjustment and Photoshop makes all the necessary selections for you...

You can always use a Layer Mask to hide the undesired effects of this adjustment.

The values I used (Attachment 1)
my result (Attachment 2)

Great job lurch!!

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lurch · #5 10-15-2007, 11:11 AM

Thank you, Flora. Coming from you that means a lot.

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MoPulldogs · #6 10-16-2007, 10:43 AM

Hi,
I used a combo of levels and curves adjustment layers and reset the shadow and highlight points...

Flora · #7 10-20-2007, 05:03 AM

Hi MoPulldogs,

welcome to RetouchPRO!!!

Very nice and well balanced job!!!

Kraellin · #8 10-21-2007, 08:59 PM

i dont mean to invalidate anyone's work here, but i feel there is more that can be brought out here. i've been playing with it a bit and i'll pass on a tip or two here. take a look at the histogram. this is an unusual histogram. i've never seen one quite like it before. so, a histogram adjustment or stretch or both seems to be in order here.

if you do use this, be a bit mindful of the background as you adjust. you can raise a LOT of unwanted texture here, especially in the darks. however, most of it is in the background and not that hard to correct. so, if it means getting a better foreground, the people, and a worse background, i'd be very tempted to use it.

Alison · #9 10-22-2007, 02:53 AM

Hi Kraellin,

Quote:

take a look at the histogram. this is an unusual histogram. i've never seen one quite like it before.

I noticed that as well.

I decided to play with the image ...... naughty me

punkjumper · #10 10-22-2007, 09:39 PM

I've been avoiding this pic for awhile. I've tried using all the suggestions here and ended up with a bunch of different things on the pic. more than necessary I'm sure. I was never really happy with the dull look that I always seemed to end up with. When I tried to richen it up it got to dark. I ended up somewhere in the middle, if not still a bit dark. did an apply image with about 15% opacity as the last step.