I need Help with this one of me...

[JAYKAT]

I have an old torn photo of me at age 6 and I scanned it to the best quality however it is that matted looking photo paper....I basically am working on this one and I am trying to have it come in more clearer or detailed, and I am removing the little boy in the photo....here is the orignal and what I am working on....help...lol ...thank you ...

Cheers~

[curtism]

Here's a quick attempt. I used Noiseware Professional on the pattern -- 100% strength on the high frequency noise and 70% on medium frequency. It can be refined with more concentration on highlights, midtones and shadows. Then applied Focus Fixer at a radius of 2 pixels to counteract some of the blurring.

This is far from perfect but, I think, a good start. A high-quality scan (600-1200 ppi) will help as it will make it easier for the filters to distinguish noise from photograph.

Hope this helps.


Curtis

[JAYKAT]

here is my second attempt....aacckkk

[John Wheeler]

Hi Jaykat
Have you considered scanning at a much higher resolution and then using FFT filter to get rid of the regular Matt pattern that cover the entire print.

FFT will do an excellent job of removing (not just averaging/blurring) highly repeating patterns.

Also, I cannot tell from the scan how much of the noise is from the original print vs how much is from the scanning process itself. If it is from the scanning process, then there are ways to get rid of that noise as well
- Mulitpass scanning; create layer stack, use median layer stack mode will greatly reduce the scanner noise
- Some scanning software can do the above automatically
- Have the scan done with a better scanner

Other than that, both you and Curtis are doing great considering what appears to be a slightly out of focus shot.

[Tony W]

I agree that if you can scan at a much higher resolution. I can see the obvious signs of a typical diamond pattern from the paper texture. Although this does not look as sharp as it should do - of course it may be the result of your resizing for the forum.
The FFT filter usually makes a good job of this type of pattern removal.

I have had a quick play and I also think it would look much better if you were to add some room at the top (I hate to see heads cut like this!) and do a little work to add some hair. As the image is so small I have not attempted to hide the noise - your original will probably benefit from this though!

Please excuse the sloppy floor work - needs more time to get this looking right. I think if you can get it to this stage then you can spend more time in getting rid of the other blemishes and end up with a nice picture

[Wolfman]

Attachment 87366Not perfect, but a big improvement.

[JAYKAT]

Hey everyone thank you so much for your assistance .... I just checked my scanner it is an HP Photosmart Premium and the ppi from what I can see on it scans 600...it is not hooked up to my computer at this time but I put the photos on a disk....I am wondering if there is a higher scanning ppi with like photoshop or something...I understand what you mean about the scan quality....what programs are you all using?

[iDad]

not color but I thought i would try a rebuild of what's not there...... just messing around

[John Wheeler]

Hi Jaykat
You did not mention that specific HP PhotoSmart Premium printer model number you have yet I would be surprised if it could only scan at that resolution. Other than the supplied driver software from HP (which should include the scanning software) I am not aware of what software would work with that HP all-in-one.

My HP all in one scanning software allows me to pick the scanning resolution and also what file type to store the data (JPEG, TIFF, PDF).

If you can get the image scanned into your computer, most likely you can make any needed adjustments in PS and not worry about any special software.

[JAYKAT]

Thank you so much John.... I am learning so much on this site....it is great....I still have a ways to go...but practice makes perfect hehehe...Everyone is so nice on here and they give you input of what they are doing so it makes it easy to understand. I have been toying around with other photos for practice too...
You all are the best.....thank you again .....

[Tony W]

Originally Posted by JAYKAT

.... I just checked my scanner it is an HP Photosmart Premium and the ppi from what I can see on it scans 600...it is not hooked up to my computer at this time but I put the photos on a disk....I am wondering if there is a higher scanning ppi with like photoshop or something...I understand what you mean about the scan quality....what programs are you all using?

If your scanner is the HP Photosmart Premium C310a then the specifications are:
Optical Resolution: Up to 1200 dpi Enhanced Resolution: Up to 19,200 dpi
Scanner bit depth 48-bit.

For this type of image you want to squeeze the maximum amount of information from the image and therefore you should set your scanner accordingly. I cannot guarantee that there will be any improvement over your first scan but would suggest the following settings as a starting point.

1. 48 bit Colour

2. At least 300 dpi - more if your scanner supports it. Ignore the enhanced resolution as these are interpolated figures and are not likely to buy you any added benefit

3. Set output size to larger than your intended final size! I am guessing that the original print is around 5"x4" therefore I would set scanning output size to 10"x8" at the bit depth and dpi above. While this will give you a much larger file size than a 1:1 it may just help grabbing all the detail and also possibly give you an advantage when you downsample to 1:1.

I have no experience of the HP software but I would have thought that it should be at least fit for purpose. There are alternatives including the highly thought of Vuescan. Check compatibility for your scanner first and if ok then you could download a demo version and see how you like it before comitting to buy Info here

[philbach]

I first used Levels to increase contrast and to correct color
Then I used Neat Image-a noise reduction filer

[Boneappetit]

It's not easy to restore old pics like this one. My try here, need some practice. After seen the works, I noted that i should have replace the boy with background thou... Nice work everyone...

[Cupcake]

Sweet picture!
Looks like an angel.

[JAYKAT]

Hi everyone...all of them are so awesome...!!!!! I am having so much fun with learning the techniques....cupcake I love what you did...very sweet and incredible....what program did you use if you dont mind me asking...

Cheers~

[Cupcake]

I used CS5 & Painter 12.