scanning paterns

[olesonb]

This pattern has shown up in a couple of scanned images from pictures done in the 70s. Trying to blur this doesn't work very well because the pattern in so invassive that the amount blurring I need to do is a lot, thus destroying any details. How do you folks deal with this problem?

[CJ Swartz]

olesonb -- there's not an easy solution, but I'll point to the ideas suggested by senior members when the question has come up before.

[QUOTE]Scan twice from two different angles - long then short edge so there is a 90 degree difference between the scans, or scan once then rotate and scan again 180 degrees different with the same scanner settings (auto toning off). The scans should be straight against the ruler edge of your scanner if possible.

Make both scans the same direction in Photoshop and then copy one to the other as a new layer. Align in difference mode and rotate the upper layer if required to fit the scans together. Crop down so there are no weird edges if the two scans do not overlap right.

Change layer blend mode from difference to darken - this will remove the white spots. To remove the black spots the layer would be set to lighten.

This technique works because the flatbed scanners wide directional lightsource amplifies the flaws in the surface of the original, so scanning from another direction and merging them together will 'cancel out' the unwanted pattern due to the different lighting. -- Stephen M. from post dated 8-20-2002 in thread titled "Dimpled Texture" QUOTE]

You can do a search for "dimpled texture" by clicking on Search This Forum box on the "Help Requested" forum page and typing those words in the box (in the future when you have a question) or click on the link below to go to that old thread.

Dimpled texture thread

another related thread -- this thread will give suggestions including using a digital camera instead of a scanner to import the image into your editing program, and then look at Jeanie's tips on how to handle the texture if you cannot eliminate it from your digitized copy.

If some of this helps, or doesn't help -- let us know. Other folks will have ideas also.

[Duv]

Can you send us an actual pic that contains this pattern?

[Duv]

You might have some success using Neat Image Software. http://www.neatimage.com/index.html?K

[Leah]

Yes, I've had some success reducing (although not entirely removing) the texture using Neat Image.

[olesonb]

CJ – Thanks so much for your kind response. The main reason why I like this site is that everyone is always so helpful. You are a perfect example of that. I’ve read about scanning the image the way you suggest, but my problem is that I didn’t do the scanning to begin with. I don’t have the money right now to buy a high end scanner, so I take it to my nearest Photo lab and have them scan it. So, Idon’t have a lot of say as to how it’s scanned. That’s why I’m hoping to find a Photoshop solution to this problem. I did a quick review of the threads you mentioned, but I’m afraid that like Wishy, I couldn’t get the results I was looking for. Maybe when I have more time, I’ll play with the instructions a little more, and and see if I can get better results.

Duv – I’m attaching a larger image, but I’m not sure what help it’s going to be. I had it scanned in at a high resolution, and I’ve discovered that you can run the same filters on the same image at different resolutions, you get different results. But here it is.

I’m leaving in two days for a vacation that’s long over due. I’ll be gone for a week and a half, so if you ask me a question, and I don’t respond, I’m not ignoring you, I’m just hiding from civilization and my computer. I’ll respond when I get back.

[Doug Nelson]

It's just a coincidence, because this almost never works, but running the despeckle filter a couple of times helped the open areas like skin and clothing. It got blurry, so some sharpening is needed. Notice how the pattern is still evident in edges and dark areas, and how a lot of detail is lost (since the pattern IS detail). You could bring back the eye details and such with the history brush.

[Duv]

olesonb

CJ's post may ultimately give you the best results I'm playing with her ideas myself. However, if you don't get to where you want to be, Neat Image can help considerably. Neat Image requires a fairly large "Plain" selected area. I used her right pink sleeve (and a little more" for sampling and ran the filter.
As you can see it's a marked improvement except for the facial and upper torso areas (unfortunately, the most important areas).
Perhaps with careful cloning, healing and patching technique, you can bring this back. Or perhaps there is better Neat Image technique.
Wether, CJ's ideas, Neat Image or some other, let us know how you do .

Cheers
Duv

[Leah]

Bill, You may find that your local photo lab will scan in the image twice at 90% angles for you if you ask - or if not, you may be able to find another local photo lab that will do it. It's one of those things it never hurts to ask about!

My personal preferred option is to build a time machine, go back to the 70s and beat the people who thought this texture was a good idea around the head until they reconsider. I sometimes think that would be an easier task than restoring it...

[olesonb]

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the slow response. Just wanted to let you know that I had the best results applying the technique that CJ suggested. In fact, simply rotating the image helped a lot. But I overlaid them and changed the blending mode anyway. The results, though not perfect, are better than what I started with. In fact, unless I point it out to people, they don’t notice it. Any other technique I used, simply blurred it too much. So, CJ thanks. Everyone else who helped out, thank you also. I had a lot of fun trying your suggestions. Leah, that’s how I feel about most things that happen in the 70s. Ha Ha.

Bill