Photo Restoration - - feedback on restoration -

learninlady · #1 09-08-2008, 09:49 AM

I received this photograph to restore and would like to hear some comments on it.

Here is what I have so far the original (before) and the little bit Ive accomplished.

dcobb you did great without seemingly much effort. Ive been going pixel by pixel to restore this one! taking the hard way out...lol

Thanks olbaldy! think I have it right now.

DCobb · #2 09-08-2008, 10:49 AM

A lot of damage in the red channel. While not a professional, I don't think this will be an easy fix.

dc

0lBaldy · #3 09-08-2008, 11:59 AM

learninlady, welcome to RetouchPRO

..

Looks like you have a good start on an interesting project!

It would be nice if you posted your here and after photos into your post here at RetouchPRO (just hit the edit button on your first post), it is much better if you do not link to images on other servers, since those links can break and that makes the forum thread essentially useless for future readers.

~Click for Info on how to size and attach images to your posts~

~How to attach Files/Images to your Posts or Threads here~

After you post your less than 100K version, you could link to a site that is hosting a larger version.

In the mean time there may be some solutions to some of your problems on the Tutorial page (here) have a look around.. any problems just ask.. Looking forward to seeing your finished project and much more of your work. Hope you enjoy your visits here and make many new friends.

TommyO · #4 09-08-2008, 04:47 PM

Learnin,
Looks like you're doing very well on this one... yes, these can be pixel by pixel. There simply are not many tricks to these. In one way it would be nice if a computer could restore what we see with our eyes. But, then again... when they can, we'll be out of favor with our friends & family or clients.

Best of luck, and maybe we can help with smaller parts or issues that arise.

Very neat image by the way. If you can tell us more about it, we'd be interested !

learninlady · #5 09-08-2008, 05:25 PM

Thanks Tommy. Discouraged at the moment due to a bad case of burning neck!...

Yes, this photo is kinda cool. A gentleman (on the right) sent it to me from Illinois. This was taken back in 1979 by one of those custom photographers that have different backgrounds and the clothing to match. It was called 'American Portrait Centers in San Pedro, Ca. but I cant find them any where via search. So I'm guessing they have since gone out of business. Since that time the gent has lost his long lost buddy and this is the only photograph he has to enjoy the memory, so he sent it to me to try to fix for him.
And Tommy, even tho I so hurt by 'pixel fixin', I am very happy and now encouraged to know that I am not the only one that is doing it this way..

sometimes I just feel like I'm going about it the hard way.

There is one thing, does anyone know what kind of sedan that is? caddy maybe? as Id like to find one to clone the wheel well.
THANK PROGRAMMERS and GOD for clone!!!!!!

TommyO · #6 09-08-2008, 07:28 PM

No idea on the sedan. You may try posting a separate thread just to ask about it.

Don't mean to imply that pixel by pixel is the right way, only that when an image is so badly damaged that there is not really any other choice. You end up really recreating much of the image, not restoring it.

Best of luck and don't forget to post the final image here !

learninlady · #7 09-08-2008, 09:14 PM

No, I did figure that. I told the gent that I could salvage most of it but at least 30% or better would be 'adlibed' as there wasn't enough information in the photograph to do a complete honest restore.
I'm doing my best and all he really cares about is being able to see him and his buddys faces, so Im fairly safe... lol
I've done tons of searches and found many vehicles that look similar and that will be fine as I had stated he doesn't much care about the background so that's in my favor for extra work.

Thanks for the help

Kraellin · #8 09-09-2008, 09:33 PM

welcome to RP, learninlady.

and please, please, please, do NOT label your files 'original' or 'before' or 'after' and post them here. you realize how many 'original' files i have in my harddrive?

Kraellin · #9 09-09-2008, 09:47 PM

ok, now on to the image...

you can take it to this level in about two minutes. after that, it's going to be a LOT of hand work, which you've already surmised. my tools for that are clone, airbrush and push (heavy smudge in photoshop). polaroid dust and scratch removal isnt going to do it, nor is noise reduction much, unless you do a LOT of masking.

but, that's what's fun about restoring, the hand work

oh, and the two minutes of work was contrast/brigtness, levels, a very light noise reduction, but not to really try and 'clean' the image and a hue/sat layer to reduce the sepia a bit.

also, i'd strongly suggest, if you can get a very high res scan of this, it might help quite a bit, especially when you start working around the faces.

learninlady · #10 09-09-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kraellin

welcome to RP, learninlady.

and please, please, please, do NOT label your files 'original' or 'before' or 'after' and post them here. you realize how many 'original' files i have in my harddrive?

Retract. trying to be a smartie and didnt come out right.
It make much sense to mark the photo as such. I myself have that same issue as with 30 photographs, they are all going to be called original!... so how will that be smooth?!!!
wont be! hehe.
Here I usually have 1-original and go from there. but it still gets confusing. Im just going to have to stop being lazy and name my darn photos!...hehe
thanks Krae for pointing that out

learninlady · #11 09-10-2008, 09:23 PM

Update. I'm finding this a more difficult job than I thought. The picture was sooo bad!
But here is the second phase of it for what its worth.

learninlady · #12 09-11-2008, 11:12 AM

That bad? any advice? like maybe pitch it and start over?..lol

Verywierd · #13 09-11-2008, 12:19 PM

I know that it's a difficult restore. Just two quick comments:

The stripes of the suit of the man on the left don't seem right, especially on the right arm and left leg.

The stock (back end) of the tommy gun of the same man is not right. Here is a picture of one:

http://www.innovativetactical.com/ca...82k9ah4r05.jpg

You could even cut and paste the missing part as a template.

Don't give up. It just needs a bit more work :-)

0lBaldy · #14 09-11-2008, 12:49 PM

I think it is very kewl of you to present the different phases of your WIP! You have done some amazing restore work thus far and I feel that when you finish.. your client will be amazed and overwhelmed! Good job thus far!! Your bringing this image back to life!

Just one suggestion.. do not get the "There is just one more little thing that needs to be done" syndrome.. because there always is and there always will be..

learninlady · #15 09-11-2008, 06:05 PM

Thanks much for the encouragement. It is much appreciated and needed. This has to be the oddest piece of work for me.
Now you have to know that the client has written this photo off. He wants only the faces to remain in tact. So he has told me - do what ever I want to get a usable photograph. I can even change the entire background. All he wants is his buddys face and his to remain 'authentic' so how bout that for "play" rights!!!..
Due to my feeling and Im sure many others, photos are a solid structure visual memory- hands on. So I want to replace the photograph as much as the original as possible.

Veryweird - thank you. that's exactly why I put this up here. After staring for so long, I either begin to be too picky or justify. I thought the same thing as you said, but wasn't sure if it was me being too self critical, or self honest!
thank you.

Olbaldy - I so am like that. even after I send the photo back to the customer I still continue to work on it. its a darn illness it is! hehe

Im taking the day off today as restoration is taking its body toll

but I saved the tommy gun pic and am going to try to get that in there. AND find a pinstriped suit!!!...lol
I'm very lucky that the guy doesn't care how much I fudge with it, as Id hate to to attempt an actual restoration!