Old department store color fade problem.

[GARoss]

The attached scanned photo is of my sons was taken about 35 years ago at a department store (K-Mart?). Over time portions of the color have faded to where red dominates now. The photo was scanned as tif & has been down rezed to jpg for uploading.

Using Adobe Camera RAW 8 / HLS adjustment only Reds, Oranges & Yellows react to moving sliders from -100 to +100. Greens, Aquas, Blues, Purples & Magentas sliders have no effect.

I can adjust in Photoshop CS6 to the point where flesh-tones are better but the backdrop looks unreal. Still has a red cast.

There must be a way to add back what has faded but kinda lost. Need some direction how???

I appreciate all suggestions,
George

[klev]

Re: Old department store color fade problem.

It's possible to improve upon it, but it's difficult. You would probably want to adjust the background separately. As you've noticed this isn't an entirely intuitive process. The appearance of the original colors would have differed quite a bit more when it was originally printed compared to today. That is always difficult. Even the original colors would be different compared to what is typically seen today.

Basically if you can get a good result from one part, I would just combine them with layers and masks.

[plugsnpixels]

Re: Old department store color fade problem.

Here's my attempt using iCorrect EditLab Pro (plug-in) to remove the overall cast, plus a bit of Hue/Saturation to further reduce the reds, then a bit of burning on the background to bring out the green in the trees.

Chances are the background color was off originally since it's just a big print used by the studio.

[GARoss]

Re: Old department store color fade problem.

Thanks! My approach was to try to add what was missing, greens, blues, cyans & magentas, but didn't see things going remotely close in the direction I needed.

I think the suggestion of layering is best & will try that. I'm tempted to cut the background completely out & insert a new one; then layer faces - arms & clothing. It won't be the same as the original but it's too late for that anyhow.

[CarolB]

Re: Old department store color fade problem.

Hi George!

Your sons were cute little boys.

Here is my attempt at correcting your photo of them using the levels channel on each of the colors. Also did a little unsharp masking.

Carol

[GARoss]

Re: Old department store color fade problem.

Hi George!

Your sons were cute little boys.

Here is my attempt at correcting your photo of them using the levels channel on each of the colors. Also did a little unsharp masking.

Carol

The boys are all grown up now. Nicely done, Carol!

[chillin]

Re: Old department store color fade problem.

...and one more to your collection.

[GARoss]

Re: Old department store color fade problem.

...and one more to your collection.

Thanks Chillin. What was your workflow?

[0lBaldy]

Re: Old department store color fade problem.

Thought I would jump in and add one also...

A PSD to download, showing my workflow, is here

[plugsnpixels]

Re: Old department store color fade problem.

They're getting better as we go along! George, you should probably link to a higher-res original so you have something nice to keep.

[GARoss]

Re: Old department store color fade problem.

I'm a retired tradesman/engineer who got heavy into computer design graphics the last 20 years of working & never thought I'd learn new tricks but I have.

I've played with this photo for years only to convert it to B&W because of all the restore issues that are far above my abilities to restore. As I learned new Photoshop techniques in retirement, I have revisit this scanned photo from time to time & was only able to add slight improvements; until now.

0lBaldy's psd file helps so much because it guides through 0lBaldy's thought process. This make it easier to understand how to do, as well as why & when.

I thank you all very much.

[GARoss]

Re: Old department store color fade problem.

They're getting better as we go along! George, you should probably link to a higher-res original so you have something nice to keep.

Not sure how to do that as I'm new to this forum but will find directions & do so soon.

[philbach]

Re: Old department store color fade problem.

Well I started like CarolB who used levels on each of the RGB channels. After that I used a curves adjustment layer and used the eyedropper to balance the color. I thought the shirts were white. Finally I colorized several segments of the photo.

[GARoss]

Re: Old department store color fade problem.

Well I started like CarolB who used levels on each of the RGB channels. After that I used a curves adjustment layer and used the eyedropper to balance the color. I thought the shirts were white. Finally I colorized several segments of the photo.

Very nice! I really didn't think it possible to restore this photo but members of Retouch Pro have convinced me otherwise! BTW the shirts were lt blue/cyan trimmed in burgundy.

After many attempts through the years, I was convinced a re-channeling of RGB channels would be necessary, though I have no idea if that could be done or even possible. I figured channels because it's apparent green & blue have faded. I believe the original photo was taken in the late '70s. I don't know what photo processing was popular back then but obviously not the best quality.

[chillin]

Re: Old department store color fade problem.

Thanks Chillin. What was your workflow?

This one was kind of messy, maybe this would help you.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...psaehhxfww.gif