Turning away Business/Texture restore tips

Rick · #16 09-02-2002, 09:32 AM

Well, I've recently been challenged with some work that definitely tested the limits of my humble talent.

I was rather apprehensive on working on it considering the damage.

(The photo was a wallet size printed on TEXTURED paper, discolored, Cracking, just a real mess)

I told him I wouldn't do much other than what I COULD do in case technology (or someone substantially more talented than I) would allow it to be completed.

I scanned it hi res, put it on a disc and with any luck, he will have a copy which won't fade any more than it had.

Aside from illegality and questionable opinions you may have on the photo, I think it's our responsibility to treat the photos as public record (official or not) and not to take total liberties with them, so I approved of most of the responses on here.

I MISS YOU GUYS!

Rick

DJ Dubovsky · #17 09-02-2002, 10:06 AM

Nice to see you back too Rick and Heather too. We missed you both.

You both made some excellent points and Heather's expertise in the consevator field adds an important viewpoint on the topic.

Heather,
Can't tell you how many times I've wanted to recommend a conservator locally but you and Jim Conway are the only ones I know. May have to find one locally myself as Jeanie suggested to consult with and refere business to.

Rick,
Did you even give it a try after scanning it? You didn't say. I was curious if you used it to practice on and got some positive results toward a sucessful restoration. I do agree with your consevation or recording of the image or documents for future record and preservation. If disaster strikes the original, God forbid, you will always have the digital copy at least.
DJ

Rick · #18 09-02-2002, 03:52 PM

Actually, I didn't realize how difficult it was going to be until after I scanned it. I had done a scan down to 800+DPI, after several attempt to smooth things out, the pictures looked too much like dolls. (The background didn't bother me in the least)

I've even gone to looking for different plugs and techniques to take care of the problem. The most I have been able to do isget rid of the fading, increasing the contrast.

The one with the father, isn't that bad, but the splotches has been driving me into fits, but I think I'm doing okay with that one, but that's going to be a simple enlarge/enhance job.

what do you guys think?

Rick

Sanda · #19 09-02-2002, 04:03 PM

I finally had the meeting with that lady I told you about earlier in this thread. I saw the photo and it isn't too bad but I made it clear to her that all I could or would do is make a copy and work on the copy.
She still wanted the original repaired so I refered her to the Museam in Sydney. Her decision was to let me do a copy and restore that and at a later date she would take it to the Museam. I doubt she will actually do that but it's her decision.
I'm relieved as there was no way I would have attempted to repair an original but I seem to have come out of it with the confidence of the customer.I think she appreciated my honesty in telling her I wasn't qualified to work on the original and would not do it.

Lampy · #20 09-02-2002, 06:08 PM

Great news Sanda!

--Heather

Ed_L · #21 09-02-2002, 06:59 PM

Rick,

In case you haven't seen it, Jak has put up a good tutorial for dealing with textured originals. You might want to check it out. You can find it here . I think there is also one on sharpening, and that one might be of use on the little girl in the other pic. Good luck.

Ed

Ed_L · #22 09-02-2002, 07:01 PM

Sandra,

That's good news. Now you're experienced on how to handle that type of thing.

I also doubt that she'll try to get the original done.

Ed

thomasgeorge · #23 09-02-2002, 07:37 PM

Well done,Sanda!!! Honesty and "sticking to your guns" is the only way to go! Bet you will get more business from Her and her friends!! Tom

DJ Dubovsky · #24 09-02-2002, 09:12 PM

Rick,
Those are definately going to present you a problem. Especially that textured one. There are several threads that offer help in textured photos you might do a search for. At anyrate, I would give them a try and see what you can do with them. If you have trouble just ask for help.
DJ

Rick · #25 09-02-2002, 10:57 PM

DJ: thank you for the offer, and believe me, I'll probably submit it as a challenge as soon as I replant my hair.

ED: I've actually tried doing something very close to what was stated in that TUT, but the main problem was the fact that he had very defined features (read: Wrinkles on forehead) that would have simply have disappeared.

One thing I DID do with another picture with the basic problem was to scan it at about 800DPI (it was BIT large, it was an 8x10) and took care of most of the texturing issue w/o a problem.

I think whoever created and thinks that these little texture papers deserve a special place in the sub-sub-sub-basement of heaven. (How's THAT for a Euphemism?)

See you happy people laters,

Rick

DJ Dubovsky · #26 09-03-2002, 10:43 AM

I actually used to prefere the "matte" choice for photos until I see what a restoration nightmare they can be. Now it's glossy all the way. If ever there were jobs I'd like to turn away it would be those nasty textured ones. Another is magazine or newsprint with all the half tone dots.

I've had some good results using this plugin. It's free and even though it says demo, it's the full version. It called Eye Fidelity Tools. You can find it here.

I think I will try your large scan idea. Why didn't you scan that textured on large?
DJ

gland · #27 09-03-2002, 01:07 PM

Thanks for the link DJ. I'll give that one a try.

Jakaleena · #28 09-03-2002, 08:58 PM

Rick,

I played with your textured image a little bit. I didn't get the nose quite right, but I didn't have time to go back and fix it up. It was basically to show you what can be done to clean up the texture. I only worked on the woman's face.

I used a combination of 4 techniques (all have tuts):

Smoothing unwanted texture
Airbrushing
Spotting with the history brush
Colorizing

It's a tough image, though...

Good Luck!

Rick · #29 09-03-2002, 09:07 PM

Jak:

The work that you did is wonderful, but the impression that I got from him was he wanted something that was relatively unrealistic in restoration.
Absolutely incredible on what peole think can be done on a PC.

there is another project that I worked on which was just as tough, but fortunately it was just a relatively simple D&S and adjustment layer majic w/ masks. But there was some discoloration that almost sent me into a stammering rage.

have I mentioned I started taking breathing lessons since I started doing this?

it keeps my clients alive.

Rick

Vikki · #30 09-04-2002, 04:38 AM

Another option to try with the textured photos (I've used this method) is to photograph the image.
Sometimes it's necessary to photograph it twice - reversing the direction - and then layering the image, to remove the textured pattern.
I pretty much will give most images a try, but I caution the customer that it's probably not going to be a significant improvement.
My experience is that the customer usually knows someone with a computer who will attempt a fix, and they are usually satisfied with any improvements.