Please give advise on how to restore this photo

[darter801]

I found a photo of my grand mother who I never got to meet and am trying to see how to restore it and bring the writing back also. Please help I have CS3 on computer but don't have much experience with it.
Thank you - here is a link to the photo
http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/6...amygrandma.jpg

[TipeneH]

Just thought id use it for practice

[Chain]

Before you begin, make sure you get the highest quality scan you can.
1. Scan in very high/highest resolution.
2. Scan at 16-bit (might be called 48-bit).
3. Turn off any automatic adjustments ("auto tone", etc.).
4. Save it to TIFF (or another lossless format like PSD/PNG).
5. Do not save it to JPEG at any point.

On a new layer, use the clone stamp tool and (mostly) healing brush to clean up stains/dust/scratches. Make sure the tool is set to sample "current and below" so it will work on a blank layer.

Now add a Curves adjustment layer (on top). Use it to adjust brightness/contrast/color. Be gentle.
Use a Vibrance adjustment layer (on top) to adjust Vibrance/Saturation.

You should also perform some sharpening (method is up to you...).

For the text, it appears the ink used to draw it sort of collected into little beads instead of soaking into the paper (glossy surface?).
You might have to redraw it. If so, try carefully crafting it with the pen tool and then stroking the path (on a new layer - below your adjustment layers).

[darter801]

Thank you I will try that out