Is this beyond repair?

[Tinkerbella197]

This is a rough scan -- I know. First and foremost it needs to be removed from the frame and rescanned (I am in the process of getting the original and scanning it myself). It was emailed to me by someone with the hopes that I could repair it. I am trained in photo restoration, but I do not consider myself an expert -- there is definitely still room for more knowledge. Well, when I was given this photo, I was totally intimidated. Aside from the color, it's very blotchy. My typical and main approaches to restoration are adjusting levels, curves, and repairing with the stamp tool. I would be stamping for days with this picture. While I wait to get the original unframed photo, I figured I'd pick your brains. Can anyone guide me on the best approach/tools to repair this mess?? Thank you in advance!

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...ouch/photo.jpg

[Tony W]

This image IMO is not actually a scan but a photograph taken possibly with a compact camera with built in flash. From the look of it I would say that it is in pretty good condition.

So when you get the original you may not have the problems that you think are apparent at this stage.
Obviously the first thing is to get the very best scan that you can from the print.

To do this you should scan the original aiming for a larger size than you will envisage printing and also scan as 48 bit (16 bit per channel colour) and at a high ppi probably no less than 600 and possibly 1200 ppi. Save the image as a tiff file. This way you will be recording as much information as you can which should help to make the restoration easier to handle

[Cupcake]

It will be a nice picture when you are done.
This is what I did, with a few touch ups.

[Tinkerbella197]

Looks great, Cupcake -- thanks for the inspiration! What methods did you use? I appreciate the end result, as it answers my initial question ("is this beyond my repair"), but I'd like to learn how you got there.

And Tony, I definitely agree that this is not a scan and I hope you are right in predicting that the original will be in better condition. You have a good point, as I'm certain the camera flash did nothing to improve the photo's appearance. Thanks for bringing that to my attention

Again, thank you both.

[Tony W]

Tinkerbella197, I hope that you can get a good quality scan of this and only then will you be able to assess the amount of work required.

It is likely that there is uneven fading of the photographic dyes plus the physical damage. If you are going to restore in colour you will have some additional work to undertake, B&W will be easier so I guess it depends on what the owner wants

Quick play with your image reveals some of the issues you will need to address - no point in going any further until you have your proper scan

[Tinkerbella197]

Yes, unfortunately she wants it restored in color. I tried to nudge her in the direction of B&W, to make my life easier, but no such luck. As soon as I get the original, I will scan and post it. Thanks again!

[sergio2263]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbella197

Yes, unfortunately she wants it restored in color. I tried to nudge her in the direction of B&W, to make my life easier, but no such luck. As soon as I get the original, I will scan and post it. Thanks again!

Make sure you use a very good scan and scan the photo in colour even though it is black and white.

[Tony W]

The original is I believe colour sergio2263

[sergio2263]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbella197

This is a rough scan -- I know. First and foremost it needs to be removed from the frame and rescanned (I am in the process of getting the original and scanning it myself). It was emailed to me by someone with the hopes that I could repair it. I am trained in photo restoration, but I do not consider myself an expert -- there is definitely still room for more knowledge. Well, when I was given this photo, I was totally intimidated. Aside from the color, it's very blotchy. My typical and main approaches to restoration are adjusting levels, curves, and repairing with the stamp tool. I would be stamping for days with this picture. While I wait to get the original unframed photo, I figured I'd pick your brains. Can anyone guide me on the best approach/tools to repair this mess?? Thank you in advance!

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...ouch/photo.jpg

This photo is not beyond repair at all as a restorer I am surprise you think that though you did mentioned you are not an expert I am not either but this photo is very easily restored that said as long as you use a good scanner or scan the photo in the best possible way it should be restored easily.

[sergio2263]

Originally Posted by Tony W

The original is I believe colour sergio2263

Do you mean the original is in colour?

[Tony W]

Originally Posted by sergio2263

Do you mean the original is in colour?

Yes if you look at post #5 you will see that I took the original posted image and applied curves to reveal the faded colour. Note I did not try and get anything perfect but just wanted an impression of what may be there - no point in going further with this until a 48bit scan undertaken at high ppi

[Tinkerbella197]

Yes the original is indeed in color, as can be seen in the link I provided in my original post (#1).

[unimatrix001]

opened file when to channels pallet choose the red channel used apply image and choose the blue channel checked the invert box selected softlight from the dropdown menu added a levels adjustment layer clicked the auto button and came up with this.

[0lBaldy]

After your new scan with all automatic adjustments turned off and at a high resolution and larger size... A bit of levels after cropping.... some cleaning up... and I think you will have a fine picture

[chinchillakilla]

Once you have done the things mentioned above if it still does not come how you want it then there is another option and that consists of colouring in the image manually there are not too many colours present so shouldn't be too complicated to sort out but this picture can definitely be restored to a pleasing level.

[sergio2263]

Originally Posted by Tony W

Yes if you look at post #5 you will see that I took the original posted image and applied curves to reveal the faded colour. Note I did not try and get anything perfect but just wanted an impression of what may be there - no point in going further with this until a 48bit scan undertaken at high ppi

Yes now I see you've done a great job bringing out most of the colours. Again a good scan should work wonders with restore and colourizing.


helen

[sergio2263]

Originally Posted by 0lBaldy

After your new scan with all automatic adjustments turned off and at a high resolution and larger size... A bit of levels after cropping.... some cleaning up... and I think you will have a fine picture

This is great work.

[Tinkerbella197]

Finally got the original and scanned it. Here it is. I'm going to begin working now, using all of your very helpful suggestions.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...uch/Watson.jpg

[philbach]

Well I downloaded the latest and to start I used levels on each color Channel.
Next I used a curves adjustment layer and placed the eyedropper on the white sign that was hanging on the cash register.

So this photo can be restored.

[Cupcake]

Here is the color picture.
Larger file if wanted.

[Tinkerbella197]

Thanks everyone. I played around a little today; I'm 99% done. I will hopefully have more time to finish tomorrow. I'm at the point of trying to repair the dress. Haven't spent too much time on it; just quickly ran through it with the spot healing brush, but it's definitely not yet where I'd like it to be. What did you use, Cupcake, to get the dress so "clean"?

[0lBaldy]

with the newer pic.... For the dress I used Glitter Brushes from Obsidian Dawn

[Cupcake]

Healing brush & Clone tool.

[Tinkerbella197]

Can someone critique this for me? I still need to clean up the dirt on the bottom of the dress, etc. I would have liked to show it to you completely finished, but I have to stop for the day and wanted to send this out and get some feedback before I resume tomorrow. But as far as contrast, levels, and those types of adjustments go, I think I've done all I can do. What do you think? Aside from a critique, I need some advise: My biggest hurdle right now is isolating just the background so that I can brighten just that area without consequently making the woman too bright as well. I tried lassoing the background, but I wasn't happy with that. Also tried curves. I'm not getting anywhere with it.

http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...la197/Retouch/

[0lBaldy]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbella197

Can someone critique this for me? I still need to clean up the dirt on the bottom of the dress, etc. I would have liked to show it to you completely finished, but I have to stop for the day and wanted to send this out and get some feedback before I resume tomorrow. But as far as contrast, levels, and those types of adjustments go, I think I've done all I can do. What do you think? Aside from a critique, I need some advise: My biggest hurdle right now is isolating just the background so that I can brighten just that area without consequently making the woman too bright as well. I tried lassoing the background, but I wasn't happy with that. Also tried curves. I'm not getting anywhere with it.

http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...la197/Retouch/

Cannot view link...
Need PW or album needs set to public

[Tinkerbella197]

I was rushing when I sent that last post; sorry. Hopefully this link works:
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...ch/Watson1.jpg

[Tinkerbella197]

and in my haste, I also spelled "advice" wrong

[sergio2263]

Originally Posted by 0lBaldy

with the newer pic.... For the dress I used Glitter Brushes from Obsidian Dawn

Great job I love the glitter it suits the atmosphere



helen

[sergio2263]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbella197

I was rushing when I sent that last post; sorry. Hopefully this link works:
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...ch/Watson1.jpg

Her dress is too blown out and her skin colour looks washed out, you need to put some more skin colour in perhaps use the burn tools a bit or look at a colour photo of a black person that would give you an example how her skin colour should look.


helen

[Tinkerbella197]

Originally Posted by sergio2263

Her dress is too blown out and her skin colour looks washed out, you need to put some more skin colour in perhaps use the burn tools a bit or look at a colour photo of a black person that would give you an example how her skin colour should look.


helen

Thank you. Can I get some more opinions? Does everyone else agree that the woman is too washed out?