Too far gone to fix?

[mrtiff_se]

Hello everyone, first of all I'd like to say thanks to everyone on this forum who has posted help, advice and guides: thanks. I'm a long time lurker, but a first time poster - so go easy on me

Anyway, the core question is this, with reference to the photo in the below link, can it be adequately re-coloured to reasonable standard or is it just too far gone?

I’ve personally been trying to fix it and have been playing around with the levels (Image-->Adjustment-->Level) using a RGB image, the result can also be found following the link.

Unfortunately, as you’ll see my attempts are amateur at best. So if the photo is fixable and anyone has got some suggestions/wants to offer some help, it would be much appreciated.

As a closing thought, I’m far from being anywhere near to a pro with Photoshop (as you’ll have seen from the link ), but I can follow instructions

Thanks Again,
Mrtiff_SE

http://s1065.photobucket.com/albums/u390/mrtiff_se/

[Chain]

The original colours in this photo is gone, and if you want it in colour it would have to be recoloured by hand. This is hard to get looking good imho.
You could try to boost the image heavily using Curves + Vibrance/Saturation to figure out what some of the original colours were.

Personally I would restore this to black and white/sephia and skip restoring the colours.

[mrtiff_se]

Thanks for the reply Chain - It's a downer to hear that the colours have gone and Black/White is the likely way forward.

Does anyone else have an alternative view or wants to give (the same) second/third opinion?

Either way,
Thanks.

Mrtiff_SE

[Cupcake]

I made it a sepia.
Heal
Lightly color

[mrtiff_se]

Thanks Cupcake - It's nice to see some color back in the old photo.

I'm guessing your diagnosis is the same Chain, it's too far gone?

[hawkeye60]

It would take a lot of time and patience...but it could be done.

[lurch]

hawkeye60 - how?

[dataflow]

youll have to select different parts and on a different layer add the color you think they would be and blend it to the original image.
(not saying it will be easy)

[sergio2263]

The photo is very easy to colourise I shall upload a colourised sample.


helen

[dataflow]

here is colored version

[sergio2263]

I've done a quick example sorry I don't have much time just to show it can be colourised.

[MarthasDarkroom]

Hi,
I've just launched my new website www.marthasdarkroom.com and I'm trying to get awareness going. I could have a look at this for you for free as a test image. Just go to my site and use the upload form to send me the image and I'll sort it for you as a freebie. All I ask is if you're happy with it maybe you could write a sentence testimonial that I can add to the site. Thanks

[Vernon]

Originally Posted by MarthasDarkroom

Hi,
I've just launched my new website www.marthasdarkroom.com and I'm trying to get awareness going. I could have a look at this for you for free as a test image. Just go to my site and use the upload form to send me the image and I'll sort it for you as a freebie. All I ask is if you're happy with it maybe you could write a sentence testimonial that I can add to the site. Thanks

No need to hijack another thread - feel free to post your link and invitation for a freebie here: http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/your-website/

[MarthasDarkroom]

Sorry, wasn't intentionally hijacking a thread, just offering help with his picture.

[mrtiff_se]

Big thanks to forum users "Dataflow" (added a watermark or is that squiggle part of the damage?) and "sergio2263" for their help so far. If you do get more time, I'd love to see the results (and I'd be happy to put something in your PayPal tips jar).

Apart from seeing the photo come back to life, it's just so great that you people are willing to help a stranger. Thanks again.

MarthasDarkroom: Okay, I'll take you up on your offer and will post the results.

[MarthasDarkroom]

Image received, thanks, its an easy clean up job, the difficulty will be to bring back the colour convincingly. Its pretty far gone, it may as well be in mono. It will be fun to give it a go though, thanks for giving me a good test to work on and being the first person to use the upload form. I'll work on it tonight and hopefully email it back to you tomorrow.
James

[dataflow]

here is the final
http://3ddataflow.com.au/stuff/arbf342o-color.jpg

if you wish to give me something for it here is my paypal (you dont have to)
Dataflows paypal

[nazca13]

Wow, I tried to convert to jpg and place in camera raw to edit, maybe Lab, but could not get the color...checked the photo with eyedropper and it was to blown out.. I liked the idea of converting to b/w and color it.. What was driving me crazy is to know the croc is green and I could not do anything.. so new at this..

[sergio2263]

Originally Posted by MarthasDarkroom

Image received, thanks, its an easy clean up job, the difficulty will be to bring back the colour convincingly. Its pretty far gone, it may as well be in mono. It will be fun to give it a go though, thanks for giving me a good test to work on and being the first person to use the upload form. I'll work on it tonight and hopefully email it back to you tomorrow.
James

I agree bringing back the original colour is far gone but the photo can be restored and re-colourised in full. Most b/w or loss colour photos can be brought back to colour in full.

please see examples of my work b/w colourised in full.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1472188...n/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1472188...n/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1472188...n/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1472188...n/photostream/



helen

[sergio2263]

Originally Posted by dataflow

here is the final
http://3ddataflow.com.au/stuff/arbf342o-color.jpg

if you wish to give me something for it here is my paypal (you dont have to)
Dataflows paypal

You've colourised the photo in the old fashion tinted way perhaps try to get the skin tone off their clothes. The colours seems to have spread all over the place.

[MarthasDarkroom]

The hardest thing to do convincingly are flesh tones, look at most colour ups and they look very odd. Its best to be subtle with the flesh tones. It works better on older photos, photos that were never colour can be slightly more forgiving. Modern faded photos are far harder to do. I'm working on this at the moment and the flesh tones are difficult. I'll give it a go though but I'll also do you a nice tint as this will give the best overall result. If you email me your address I'll post you a couple of 6x4s too.
Cheers
James
Marthas Darkroom

[MarthasDarkroom]

This is the colour version Ive been playing with. Its too far gone to do a convincing job so I tried to just add a splash of colour here and there so it stills keeps the dated look. I think just keeping this in mono or with a tint will give the best finish.

Thanks
James
Marthas Darkroom

[sergio2263]

Originally Posted by MarthasDarkroom

This is the colour version Ive been playing with. Its too far gone to do a convincing job so I tried to just add a splash of colour here and there so it stills keeps the dated look. I think just keeping this in mono or with a tint will give the best finish.

Thanks
James
Marthas Darkroom

Your colourised have a sepia tint to it when I colourise I do it in mind of how the people will look in real life these two chaps are of course Caucasians and they appear to be quite fair in their appearances that's how I would colour them.

[sergio2263]

Originally Posted by mrtiff_se

Thanks for the reply Chain - It's a downer to hear that the colours have gone and Black/White is the likely way forward.

Does anyone else have an alternative view or wants to give (the same) second/third opinion?

Either way,
Thanks.

Mrtiff_SE

I disagree this photo can be colourise in full.

here are some tutorials the primary colour is the tutorial I use to colourise my b/w photos. Most black and white or sepia photos can be colourise in full.

http://www.worth1000.com/tutorials/1...ation-tutorial

http://www.worth1000.com/tutorials/1...ary-colorizing

hope this helps.

[MarthasDarkroom]

Just looked at my pic on the monitor at home and its really dark.

Come on Sergio2263, you can't tell me this looks natural
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1472188...n/photostream/

maybe for a pumpkin

I'm not a fan of colourising images, some work but most don't look so good and a nice B&W or a subtle tint will still look great.

James
Martha's Darkroom

[MarthasDarkroom]

Sorry, I meant this one.....nice work on the clothes but the fleshtones are bad.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1472188...n/photostream/

[mrtiff_se]

Dataflow = A big Thank You . I’ve tried above Paypal link, but it doesn’t work (I get a ‘timeout’ message – anyone else get the same problem?). Anyway, if you can confirm/repost the correct link, I promise, you’ll find a little something in there ready for the weekend.


Nazca13 = Please do post your results if you get any further and thanks for trying.


Sergio = Your work on those other photos (in the above links) is pure magic - I applaud your skill . This must be more than an hobby for you….? Oh yeah, cheers for the guides as well. I would (of course) love to see your attempt at bringing back this photo from the dead….


MarthasDarkroom = Thanks to you to as well. I’ve given you a “big shout” recommendation on Facebook and shared your details with my Facebook Friends. My one line, pithy review for your website is: ““I thought my treasured memory photograph was too sun damaged to be restored, especially, to its formal colour glory, but MarthasDarkroom were not only able to bring back the colour, they offered an excellent service and the stunning results speak for themselves - thanks!””.

Guess I’ll stick to writing the marketing material, and leave the photo work to you, Sergio and Dataflow.

[dataflow]

Originally Posted by mrtiff_se

Dataflow = A big Thank You . I’ve tried above Paypal link, but it doesn’t work (I get a ‘timeout’ message – anyone else get the same problem?). Anyway, if you can confirm/repost the correct link, I promise, you’ll find a little something in there ready for the weekend.

Guess I’ll stick to writing the marketing material, and leave the photo work to you, Sergio and Dataflow.

here this link should work hopefully

Datflow's donation link

[mrtiff_se]

Originally Posted by dataflow

here this link should work hopefully

Datflow's donation link

Yeah, that works. As promised, you'll find something in your account for the weekend. Have a couple of beers on me friend and thanks again...

Cheers,
MrTiff_SE.

[MarthasDarkroom]

Here are the final versions.