Having problems restoring

[kookie56]

I am trying to get this photo in reasonable shape to put in my scrapbook and don't seem to be able to get far with it. Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.
Kookie

[BillFrey]

What's the history of the photograph/scan?

It doesn't look like a print, it looks like it was printed on regular paper and then crumpled up. The color looks too saturated to be an old print.

If you have the original, I suggest rescanning, turning off any 'auto' scanner software enhancements. Put a few pieces of heavy cardboard behind the print to flatten it out a bit, then scan it in two directions, turning it 180 degrees. Scan at high resolution since there is considerable damage to the face and need to zoom in for repair.

Good luck.

[dataflow]

for me it just looks like it need cloning

[BillFrey]

Hi dataflow,

Yes, it needs cloning, but it's the 'garbage in/garbage out' to which I addressed my reply.

Teaching someone poor technique teaches them to accept poor work as the norm.

[dataflow]

Hi dataflow,

Yes, it needs cloning, but it's the 'garbage in/garbage out' to which I addressed my reply.

Teaching someone poor technique teaches them to accept poor work as the norm.

BillFrey i posted that at same time as your post.
which means i didnt see yours.

i was going to repost and say that i would rescanning it to and make sure you flatten it out.

[BillFrey]

Thanks, dataflow,

Sorry, I hadn't noticed the date stamps of our replies. We agree then

[kookie56]

Thanks for your replys. My brother had the photo and I think it was scanned and printed out onto bad quality photo paper. Don't know where the original went, will rescan and try again. Don't know if I will get the scan done any better but will take your comments into consideration when I do it. Thanks

[lurch]

I recommend Ctein's book "Digital Restoration from Start to Finish". He has some excellent advice on how to scan all sorts of damaged originals, both as a basis for restoration and for the purpose of making masks to aid in fixing multi-cracks.

<C>

[byRo]

May be "garbage in", but it's in a lot better shape than the things I usually get to work on.

Posted 5 "snapshots"

Rô

[dataflow]

here is my try at restoring it (still bits that need work)

[dataflow]

here is an even better result

i just multiplied byRo retouching over the top of mine.

i think that mine still had to much damage and byRo looked like a painting so i added them together and got the following result

[kookie56]

Wow I am so impressed. I have been working on it for hours and still not happy with it. I will print out both the finished ones and use whichever looks best. Thank you so much. I can now get my scrapbook finished
Kookie

[Kraellin]

a very difficult image. dirt, folds, tear marks, fading, specks... not an easy one.

mostly clone here, but airbrush and push also. probably the biggest difference i did here from my standard fare, was when i got to a point with a lot of layers i would reduce the current layer to about 50% and blank out all other layers except the background and then add a new layer to check my work against the original. then i would add a new layer on top of the current top one and clone based on the background, trying to keep some texture from the original. it worked partially, but there is still a lot of smudging on the face. i also added a selection layer based on the skin regions and added in some noise to simulate texture. that helped a little.

so, kudos to all who worked on this one; it was a toughie.

[0lBaldy]

Dataflow, I like your even better version.. This was a pain and I finally just gave up and posted

[zganie]

Unfortunately ,There is no quick fix ,time and patiences is needed.It is one of the main reasons these photos are difficult to make money on
Keep an original use the advice others have given you and just keep working at it