lacks realism

[jesterjeni]

this photo lacks realism...I tryed layers and what not but it doesnt seem to give me the result I am after, how do I make him look more realistic?

[mistermonday]

I assume someone has already processed the original image into what you have attached. It would be better if you post the original image.
Regards, Murray

[jesterjeni]

I have posted the original.....this photo is for opr... the one on the left is processed like you said

[spotter]

The whole jawline is wrong if you look carefully. The original pic has a much rounder jaw.
I think also that too much has been done on the face overall and it has a very porcelain doll look about it.
The nose is quite a good substitute.
The mouth is far too close to the chin to look natural.

[lurch]

jj - I made some guidelines on the original, then overlaid them on your restore (different color, same guidelines). Hopefully you can see from them where the jawline went wrong. In addition, it becomes clear that the boy's left eye (on our right) is too far from his right one and a little too high - in fact the whole right side of his face extends farther out than in the original. Both eyes are rounder than the original's. Eyes are tricky and sensitive; as little as one pixel can make the difference between right- and wrong-looking. There are also some dark spots (x's) that should be fixed, and the hairline curves up, not down. There is a damaged area that cuts into the back of the boy's head. I'd judge that his head should be rounder back there. And his ear should be taller. Generally, the tops of people's ears pretty much line up with their eyebrows.

Spotter is right about the face overall looking over-worked. It needs more shading, less rebuilding.

This restoration is a real bear. It almost verges on being non-restorable. The trick is working with what's there, not with what you think might should be there. If there's not much there, you just do the best you can. Kudos for taking this one on.

[jesterjeni]

thank you...I was just looking at it again and I totally agree the face is still quite wrong

[jesterjeni]

this is a work in progress.....I did use the original and overlay with repairs but it still has a not quite feeling...any suggestions?

[spotter]

I think I would make a hardened edged copy using the shadows/highlights tool and then have that over the top so that you can then adjust opacity.
I dont think it is ever going to be a perfectly smooth picture as it takes so much out of the boys features.
here is a quick example of what I mean.


boysmall.jpg

[jesterjeni]

help...its starting to look a little more right but it still doesnt feel real

[garibaldi]

is this really a serious post?

[chillin]

I think should be moved to restoration.

[mistermonday]

Chillin is right, this thread should be in the Restoration Forum. I have moved it there and left a redirect.
Thanks & regards, Murray

[chillin]

Originally Posted by jesterjeni

help...its starting to look a little more right but it still doesnt feel real

You're getting there

[jesterjeni]

thank you for moving it to restoration, its just a tough one!!
still a work in progress

[spotter]

Its definitely improving. I wonder if the emulsion has shifted a little as his nose seems too snub(too close to his eyes).
Part of the initial problem is I think ,that you tried to remove all the damage and then work on the face's structure and really I think it should be approached the other way around. I mean, that you should first of all get as much clarity as possible with what is there, then clear up the features keeping as much of the original as you can, then remove bad marks and clean generally. I guess you dont have any more pictures of him to use for keeping his features recognisable.

[Kraellin]

I wonder if the emulsion has shifted a little as his nose seems too snub(too close to his eyes).

i was thinking the same thing. i plan to use the warp brush in psp to move it back a bit.

[jesterjeni]

I tryed changing it up a bit..... spreading the nose out some

[Kraellin]

lookin better than what i have, jester

[jesterjeni]

I havent decided the best way to clean up around his neck yet eaither

[jesterjeni]

ive been back at it....not an easy task , I just want this photo to be the best it can be..the white on the shirt is still a bit lacking and the bow tie needs to be a little more blended...what do you think?

[jesterjeni]

yet another attempt...trying to keep it most like the original

[Kraellin]

a bit grainy yet, but doin very nicely.