Impossible challenge?

[Cyberman]

Hi, I have a photograph of a relative c1915 that is in very poor condition - there are no smooth gradients due to cracking etc, and what makes things worse is the original was destroyed and the only copy remaining is one that was printed on an inkjet!
I have attached the image in the hope that someone could shed some light on the best techniques I could use to better the image (if at all possible). Or whether you think I should just give up!

Best Regards,
Jon
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/7522/originalvd.jpg

[aartist]

You can make it better but you can not bring it back to photo quality to any degree. My example was very quick and easy, 5 minutes. Guassian blur the back ground then add noise. increase Brightness/Contrast. Also added noise to hide blotchiness of face.

Photo still has rough look but I feel it is more displayable and definitely worth keeping. Sometimes it's the oldest and roughest photos that are worth keeping for historical family purposes.

The third example show how it would look rendered in sepia with frame.

I'm sure others have better way to improve quality.
Good luck!

[Florin]

Hello. This could be done by painting the whole image, up to 6" x 8" size. It`s really a very advanced restoration and needs a good number of work / hours and ability.
I`ve done some of these, you could see my samples gallery:
http://restorations.yolasite.com
If you are new in that, I doubt you could do it well. It`s in a very bad condition.
Regards,
Florin S

[MiningArt]

A little color makes faces more recognizable. This is without any retouch or restoration, other than adding some grain. It could be taken much further, color the eyes, mouth, uniform details with the period colors applied etc.., It could be retouched with new ears and skin also, but it all takes skill and time.

[lynn55]

I fixed your photo for painting color brush. Thank you

[byRo]

Originally Posted by Florin

Hello. This could be done by painting the whole image, up to 6" x 8" size.

Agreed - D&B to even the defects, smudge painting.

Originally Posted by Florin

... needs a good number of work / hours and ability.

Not agreed. Took less than an hour to get to this point. Another hour would be needed to get rid of the painted effect.

Rô

[Florin]

Sorry, we have different points of view. Let this here is better.
Regards

[byRo]

Florin, I saw some very nice work on your site.
Many were a lot more difficult than this one.
I epecially like your touch for colourization.

Great !

Rô

[Florin]

Thank you, Ro. About the colourization, as soon as I`ll get a little more time (I have to finish some difficult restoration now) I promise open a new post about. There ara several ways to do this and I`ll be glad to share and see how the other people does it.
Regards

[MiningArt]

Yes Florin, most excellent colorization. Looking forward to your work and technique.