Is this hopeless

[Minoj]

I am trying to improve this picture for my neice.It is the only one she has. I tried different tutorials,but not much improved.
Can someone direct me to a tutorial which will help, or do you think it can be improved. I don't mind spending hours with the healing tools and cloning, but first I would like to see the photo more clearly.
I hope I have it uploaded correctly. I have no idea how or where to upload a larger file.
Thanks for any advice.

[0lBaldy]

Minoj, Welcome to RetouchPRO Hope you enjoy your stay here and make lots of friends. Poke around, ask questions, offer help, have fun!

Your post is fine just a bit small...

If you use Photoshop you can post fairly large pictures which are under 100k using the 'save for web' function in Photoshop as described here:
Size, Quality and/or Format your Attached Images.. (Click here)

If you want to post a larger resolution that is over 100K then you can host your image elsewhere and attach a link in the thread. Other Hosts if you do not have your own site:
ImageVenue.com (3Meg max, free) pixentral.com (2Meg max, free) photobucket.com (1 Meg max free, 5 Meg PRO) mediafire.com (100 Meg per file, free) post a link in the thread to the site that is hosting the larger image.

When linking off site.. remember to always attach an under 100K version (as you did) so the thread remains useful in the future, regardless of external links.

This tutorial "Restoring an old photograph" by cameraken has become the starting point for most of my projects
Used in conjunction with this tutorial "Enhancing Details In Unevenly Faded Pictures" by Flora

Here are some other links that may help:

How to Repair a Light Leak or Stain

Faded Foto

Old Faded Color Damaged Photo

Help on technique for restoring photos that have gone pink

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Also don't forget to search through the Photo-Restoration forum for more great threads!

[Minoj]

Thank you so much,Ol Baldy. You have given me lots to work with.
I did try that great tutorial by cameraken, but without good results on this particular photo. I am probably doing something wrong. I will try it again.
Anyway, I appreciate the help

[Liz]

Well, no not hopeless, but it will require a great deal of your time in fixing it. When I first looked at it, in particular, the bottom third of the photo, the detail is missing, eg the woman's shoes which means you will need to borrow that information from somewhere else. Most of the other detail is in general cleaning using the healing and clone brush as you suggest.

I'm sure once you start, kindly people here, will help you with other info.

[Minoj]

Thanks, Liz. I followed Ol Baldy's advice and got to here. Am hopelessly stuck again.
Amelia

[aartist]

You may want to crop and bring them closer.
Fad reduction, lighten/darken areas.
Clone/Scratch. Blurred background a little.
I added framing to make it perceived as cleaner.
These are all just idea to help because I know my example
is still below the threshold of framing for the wall.

Good luck! Its a photo worth preserving.

[Minoj]

Thank you Aartist. It does look cleaner. Good ideas. I am still working on it.

[Cupcake]

Here is another idea!

[Minoj]

Hi Cupcake. Thank You very much. Your idea looks very good. Good ideas coming from the talented people here.

[jesterjeni]

not hopeless, looks better in black and white

[Minoj]

Hello JesterJeni . Thank you. It does look better in black and white.