I scanned this in grayscale at 600 pixels/inch Resolution, 8 bits, almost 6 X 9 size. It was scanned about fifteen years ago and I've lost the original. I don't know if scanning at 16 bit in RBG at a higher resolution would have helped, but it is too late now.
I've tried "equalize," "Levels", "Curves"; set a duplicate layer to blend mode "overlay,"and can't seem to get a contrast I like. Haven't even started to work on the layer of dust. I have a copy of an attempt I made several years ago and no longer remember what I did. The features came out better but there was an impossible amount of halos around the figures. It is a throw away.
I know the original scan can be improved but am not sure what to do after increasing the contrast with the steps I mentioned above. I can't seem to get enough contrast. I'm rusty when it comes to using curves so maybe that is the problem. The histogram in Photoshop doesn't look too terrible other than some loss of detail in the black areas.
Dust and Scratches makes it too blurry before it does much good. It will be difficult to find unspotted areas to use as a start with the spot healing brush, but I must have used the healing brush on it in an earlier version of Photoshop. It would help if I could remove the smaller dust and use the spot healing and healing brush on the rest. I vaguely remember a tutorial about using dust and scratches on a layer and the history brush set to light or dark, but can't find it now. Also I wonder if the old Polaroid Dust & Scratches filter would work with Windows 7 Pro and Photoshop 5? Many of my old plugins don't work.
I downsized it with Perfect Resize 7 to fit the forum requirements and uploaded a large size on my webspace. I also uploaded the old retouch so you can see what I mean by it being a loss. If I could remember what I did you may have been able to redirect me, but it does show that the features can be improved some. If only I could remember how I got that far.
I will need to do some major restoration work on the mouth/ nose of my mother's little sister. I'm hoping for advice on improving the contrast. I didn't upload what I did recently because it is only slightly improved, not what I want. Also I need somehow to get rid of as much dust as possible without losing the features. What workflow would you suggest: start with improving the contrast and then move to the dust? I am willing to take the time necessary to do the best restoration possible.
I would love to see any work you might like to try on the large file but also want to try the steps you took, not just enjoy your work. I've done some restoration, even a badly chewed up (puppy got it) for a friend. But this is an example of one of the worst in my collection. And it's been a few years since I've done much in Photoshop, though I do have version 5. If anyone wants to download the large file, please tell me how to make that possible.
Hope I haven't made this post too long. I guess in a word: "Help!" All advice appreciated.
Server link for larger file: http://webpages.charter.net/33bells/...TORE-large.jpg
Server link for old retouch: http://webpages.charter.net/33bells/...OldRetouch.jpg
I've tried "equalize," "Levels", "Curves"; set a duplicate layer to blend mode "overlay,"and can't seem to get a contrast I like. Haven't even started to work on the layer of dust. I have a copy of an attempt I made several years ago and no longer remember what I did. The features came out better but there was an impossible amount of halos around the figures. It is a throw away.
I know the original scan can be improved but am not sure what to do after increasing the contrast with the steps I mentioned above. I can't seem to get enough contrast. I'm rusty when it comes to using curves so maybe that is the problem. The histogram in Photoshop doesn't look too terrible other than some loss of detail in the black areas.
Dust and Scratches makes it too blurry before it does much good. It will be difficult to find unspotted areas to use as a start with the spot healing brush, but I must have used the healing brush on it in an earlier version of Photoshop. It would help if I could remove the smaller dust and use the spot healing and healing brush on the rest. I vaguely remember a tutorial about using dust and scratches on a layer and the history brush set to light or dark, but can't find it now. Also I wonder if the old Polaroid Dust & Scratches filter would work with Windows 7 Pro and Photoshop 5? Many of my old plugins don't work.
I downsized it with Perfect Resize 7 to fit the forum requirements and uploaded a large size on my webspace. I also uploaded the old retouch so you can see what I mean by it being a loss. If I could remember what I did you may have been able to redirect me, but it does show that the features can be improved some. If only I could remember how I got that far.

I will need to do some major restoration work on the mouth/ nose of my mother's little sister. I'm hoping for advice on improving the contrast. I didn't upload what I did recently because it is only slightly improved, not what I want. Also I need somehow to get rid of as much dust as possible without losing the features. What workflow would you suggest: start with improving the contrast and then move to the dust? I am willing to take the time necessary to do the best restoration possible.
I would love to see any work you might like to try on the large file but also want to try the steps you took, not just enjoy your work. I've done some restoration, even a badly chewed up (puppy got it) for a friend. But this is an example of one of the worst in my collection. And it's been a few years since I've done much in Photoshop, though I do have version 5. If anyone wants to download the large file, please tell me how to make that possible.
Hope I haven't made this post too long. I guess in a word: "Help!" All advice appreciated.
Server link for larger file: http://webpages.charter.net/33bells/...TORE-large.jpg
Server link for old retouch: http://webpages.charter.net/33bells/...OldRetouch.jpg
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