Restoring an old photograph.

[Cameraken]

Every photo is different and the steps to a good restoration can vary from image to image. But there are some basic steps which tend to help in many cases.
The tutorial introduces the method of adjusting the RGB levels separately. This method is used for ‘squeezing’ extra detail out of a damaged image.

The tutorial was written using Photoshop7 but should translate easily to other versions.
[details]

[Mig]

This is an excellent tutorial. A lot of people neglect these steps because they're unaware of them. Retouching can't be done properly without knowing how to do this, so anyone who's thinking of learning retouching, or correcting scans, or almost anything in ps, learning how to correct scans in this way, or very similarly, will benefit from this tutorial because it will make a huge difference in their results. While almost basic, it's numero uno, imo. Thanks for posting this.

Mig

[Swampy]

Great tutorial, Ken.

I've had some experience with adjusting levels, but I learned a lot from the part about the channel mixer. Thank you!

[Gary Richardson]

Clear, detailed, and concise, all that is wanted in a good tutorial, thanks Ken. I'm sure a lot of members will find this informative.

[pepperspray]

Thank you, Cameraken!

As has already been mentioned, this is an excellent tutorial. Very well written and presened.


Cheers!

[Cassidy]

Well done Cameraken, so easy to follow and understand

[Frank Lopes]

I like the tutorial... well done!

However, the closeups of the little girl... when you make the point that the amount of detail is different for each channel:

The images, at least to my eye, appear to have so many JPG artifacts that becomes hard to see that point that you were making...

If you could use slightly less compressed images, it would be easier to "see" your point.

Just my 2 cents...

Originally Posted by Cameraken

Every photo is different and the steps to a good restoration can vary from image to image. But there are some basic steps which tend to help in many cases.
The tutorial introduces the method of adjusting the RGB levels separately. This method is used for ‘squeezing’ extra detail out of a damaged image.

The tutorial was written using Photoshop7 but should translate easily to other versions.
[details]

[philbach]

Very nice tutorial; well done.

[Flora]

Great Tutorial, Ken!!

[CJ Swartz]

Ken -- this is a great tutorial; it is a great starting place for newbies, and a great reminder for not-so-newbies.

[caroled]

Thanks for the great tutorial! I followed along using Elements 2 with added tools! Learned alot and now I am going to try on one of my really faded family shots!

Carol

[1STLITE]

Great tutorial, Ken! Good job!!

[mickyhovis]

This was a great tutorial, thank you thank you.

Originally Posted by Cameraken

Every photo is different and the steps to a good restoration can vary from image to image. But there are some basic steps which tend to help in many cases.
The tutorial introduces the method of adjusting the RGB levels separately. This method is used for ‘squeezing’ extra detail out of a damaged image.

The tutorial was written using Photoshop7 but should translate easily to other versions.
[details]

[mickyhovis]

Originally Posted by Cameraken

Every photo is different and the steps to a good restoration can vary from image to image. But there are some basic steps which tend to help in many cases.
The tutorial introduces the method of adjusting the RGB levels separately. This method is used for ‘squeezing’ extra detail out of a damaged image.

The tutorial was written using Photoshop7 but should translate easily to other versions.
[details]

Hi Cameraken, this tutorial is very good. The only problem I am having is when I get to the part were you say 'Alt click ‘Add Layer Mask’. This adds a hide all black mask and hides the layer. Now just paint over the marks with a white brush on the layer mask.
I dont know how to do this please can you explain? Im using PS CS

Regards Micky

[mickyhovis]

Hello Camraken, I am having problems at the end of the tutorial when you say...
Alt click ‘Add Layer Mask’. This adds a hide all black mask and hides the layer. Now just paint over the marks with a white brush on the layer mask.

I cant do this, please can you explain.

Regards Micky

ps What the weather like in Preston today?

[mickyhovis]

Thanks,

I understand most what you saying but when I get near of the the end of the tutorial were it says ‘Add Layer Mask’ and you get a layer that is black to work on with a soft brush, I dont get this even though I see a black mask in the layors palete. How do I work on it? I completed the tutorial to this point perfect and then cant finish it.

Regards Micky

[BillFrey]

Hi mickyhovis,

Chose a white brush and paint white on the black mask. It will reveal that part of the layer where you have painted white on the mask.

Hello Camraken, I am having problems at the end of the tutorial when you say...
Alt click ‘Add Layer Mask’. This adds a hide all black mask and hides the layer. Now just paint over the marks with a white brush on the layer mask.

Good luck,
Bill

[Cameraken]

Hi.

Thank you everyone, for you kind comments. I am pleased you are finding this tutorial useful.

Hi Micky

Alt click ‘Add Layer Mask’. This adds a hide all black mask and hides the layer. Now just paint over the marks with a white brush on the layer mask

Please see the pictures below. Notice the border around the layer mask in Picture 5. This border tells us if we are painting on the image or on the mask. The border is turned on or off by clicking the image or the mask in the layers palette.

It may help to work through this excellent tutorial by Flora

http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=166

And this one by Vikki is identical to how I used it

http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=63


Hope this helps. Please let me know if you are still having any problems.
I am using PS7. I think the method is the same in CS.


Ken.

[mickyhovis]

Great tutorial, I have now tried it several times and learnt a great deal many thanks Ken...

[bkpoltis]

I'd love to see this tutorial, but I can't find a link to it.

[Britsdad]

bkpoltis....the link is at the end of Ken's first post like this.....[details]
John

[rubykate]

My first RetouchPRO tutorial!

Here are my results:

http://1ofakindx4.com/retouch/1family%20copy%20copy.jpg

I had some problems with the layer mask and the sharpening but I was pleased with the end result.

Thanks for this tutorial!

[Cassidy]

And so you should be rubykate, very well done especially with a first attempt

[Cameraken]

Great job RubyKate.

I am glad you found the tutorial useful.

Most of the steps outlined can be used in most restorations so, once learnt, they should give a good start for any picture.

Ken.

[rubykate]

Most of the steps outlined can be used in most restorations so, once learnt, they should give a good start for any picture.

Ken, That's what I was thinking so I have it in my saved file.
Thanks for posting it.

Kelly

[jpittssr]

VERY Good tutorial!
I am a "newbe" and I was able to follow along and understand what you were doing and most important, why you were doing it.

Thagk you very much for your time.

[essexlad]

Thank you for the terrific tutorial

[Nomad Jess]

Great Tutorial, Thanks alot Ken. Never did anything like this before and found it very easy to follow and very effective : )

[t.fallin]

i liked this tutorial but those were some crazy looking folks in the pic