Reversing 1900 outline retouching ?

[Dave...]

The attached extract is from a larger photo which appears to have been retouched by a photographic studio c.1900, by adding black outlines (presumably to compensate for a lack of contrast in the original).

Does anyone know what Photoshop (v7) technique might be tried for removing, or at least reducing, the outline retouching ?

I've tried a number of 'new layer' methods, but not with any success. TIA

Dave.

[Der_W]

Since the outlines are much darker than the rest of the image, I'd go with a selection of the red channel, invert it, enter quick mask and use levels to bring the rest of the image to being not selected.
Afterwards you can use a levels adj. layer on this selection and slide the black output slider to e.g. 50.

This however will just make the outlines less aggressive, not remove them completely.

[Dave...]

Many thanks - although I'm not sure about this bit: "use levels to bring the rest of the image to being not selected".

Could you please elaborate ? (the problem is with controlling the rest of the image, which I assume refers to the blue and green channels).

Dave.

[Der_W]

Of course :-).

As said, first of all you'll want to select the luminosity of one of the image's channels, invert it and switch to quick mask mode ([Q]).
Now depending on what your settings are, you'll either see a ruby lift overlay on the highlights or on the shadows.
If you're seeing it on the highlights, you'll just need to bring up levels ([Ctrl]/[Cmd]+[L]) to edit this selection and use the black slider to get all of the highlights, but none of the darker parts to be overlayed.
If you're seeing it on the shadows, it's the other way around and you'll have to use the white slider so the darker parts are overlayed.
Next exit out of quick mask and use a levels adjustment layer (you had to apply levels directly before!) to slide the black output slider to the right.

Hope this is clear now :-)?

[Dave...]

Thanks, again. But still stuck and not seeing the 'ruby lift overlay' at the Quick Mask stage, attached. It's something obvious, no ?!

Update: OK, I can see 'ruby lift overlay' after switching to show masked areas in Quick Mask. I also understand the point about the highlights but avoiding the other dark areas, but moving the black slider doesn't seem to be having the desired effect.

Dave.

[Der_W]

I did a quick video that should explain things to you (sent you the link via PM, the video itself is set to private, so no one else can see it).

[chillin]

You could use a frequency separation to soften edges & bring back some texture.

[mistermonday]

Here's another method you might find preferable. Above the background, add a Brightness / Contrast Adjustment Layer. Be sure to Check the Legacy box. Drag the Contrast slider way over to the left until you weaken those black lines considerably until they are almost faded away. Do Crtl I to invert the layer mask. Now with a soft paint brush set to 10% opacity, paint over the black lines until they are darl to you liking. If they are too wide, add a blank layer above and use the clone / stamp tool to thin them out. Good luck with your restoration.
Regards, Murray

[Dave...]

Murray - many thanks, I'll look at this shortly.

Meanwhile, I've noted below the steps from the video that Jonas kindly supplied.

Dave.

With image open in Photoshop (v7):

1) Create new Layer 1 [Ctrl+J]

2) Select Channels

3) Select Red Channel (in Layers/Channels/Paths dialog box)

4) Click on 'Load channel as selection' button (at bottom left of Layers/Channels/Path dialog box)

5) Switch to Layers view

6) Edit in Quick Mask [Q] - ruby red image should appear, with outlines appearing darker

7) Adjust Levels [Ctrl+L] - adjust highlights/white level slider (under Input Levels histogram) control to left, so that only the unwanted outline is evident, and not other darker areas (i.e., when the Input Levels dialog values in this case are adjusted to 0, 1.00, 75) - Click OK

8) Edit in Standard Mode [Q] - shows dotted marquee around outline areas

9) Layer: New Adjustment Layer 'Levels' with 'Group with previous layer' selected in dialog box - Click OK

10) Invert [Ctrl+I]

11) Adjust 'Levels 1' layer - to reduce outline darkness (i.e., set Output Level shadows/black slider to 0, 1.00, 60 in this case) - Click OK

[Kraellin]

i'd take the simple approach and just use the 'lighten/darken' tool. at least, that's where i'd start.

[jeremy1986]

I use Photoshop Elements 6, I used a lot of the soft light layers, some rebuilding, and a screen layer to reduce the border some. I also used the healing brush to blend some of the harsh lines. Its far from finished but its getting there

[Dave...]

Jeremy - many thanks.

Jonas's suggestion is also on the right track (his video is only 30 secs), but the final stage needs some shading refinement which is missing from the 11 steps I've listed above - perhaps I've missed something ?

Also, the advantage of the '11 steps' is that the full picture contains 4 other people which need retouching, and it might actually help to minimise the overall effort.

Dave.

[Der_W]

My suggestion was meant to be rather a starting point, than the full retouch :-).

Combined with any of the methods above it can give you pretty fast and good results (in less time than these methods alone probably).


I btw. once again fell in love with chillin's version!

[Kraellin]

well, i take it back. i did use some lighten/darken on this, but it was mostly clone to get the heavy black out. there was also some push/smudge and painting, but mostly clone.

then, to dress things up a bit more i used digital camera noise removal, levels, tone mapping, fade correction and more clone.