Is this restore hopeless in color?

[kbeatrice]

I have a pic from 1959 that is severely faded, and I've tried using Flora's techniques and techniques from the Eismann book but nothing I come up with is very satisfactory.

The scan is 16 bit but it didn't seem to help either. I've posted my latest attempt but I'm not happy with it.

Should I just try B&W?

Thanks for any help!

Karen

[roger_ele]

kbeatrice,

yes, black and white sure is more pretty ... but you inspired me to play with this one. after some playing this is the most color i was able to get without any selective work.

what i did was converted to lab, increased a and b channels in curves adjustment to make the subtle color less subtle, then into rbg to correct and multiply mode layers to darken and back to lab to play some more until i got this garrish mess that shows more color ...

Roger

[grafx]

kbeatrice,

I did my hand at it. I didn't do any smoothing, just messed with the colors. I did multiple layers, different opacities on multiply to bring out the detail. Believe or not I got my first color adjustment using PS auto color. It was "ok", but I then went into color balance and adjusted things manually. Did this photo have much color to begin with? looks like it could have been mostly muted with greys and beiges. BTW the detail on your bunny is AWESOME!

[Flora]

Hi Karen,

like Roger and grafx I only 'played' with enhancing details and colour ....

For the colour I used Levels on the individual Channels, Adjustment Layers of Hue&Saturation and Selective colors.

I used 'Apply Image' as well and cheated just a little bit by working on the individual Channels on the baby's face which was very 'pale'.

[grafx]

Flora,
You are definately d'bomb!

[T Paul]

For more on using selective colors view this thread:

Advise on Extreme Color Cast Correction

[Flora]

grafx

...thank you!!!!


T Paul

Thanks for posting the link .... I had totally forgotten about that!!!

[kbeatrice]

Thanks for everyone's inspiration. I used a combination of everyone's suggestions to get this version which is cleaned and sharpened.

Since my aunt's going to put this pic back in the same frame, I don't think I'll try to get rid of the blue -- unless I get bored

Thanks again everyone. Let me know what you think.

Karen

[kbeatrice]

Flora, can you describe how you did the Apply Image for this particular photo? Your lips on the baby's face look much better than mine!

Thanks!

Karen