Is this beyond repair.

[ronecc]

Hi. I am new to photo restoration, having just received some photos of when I was young. I use Corel Paintshop Pro X2 for most of my photo editing. I have attached a photo of me, up a ladder with my late (Firefighter) father below me.
Is this beyond repair. It looks like light bleed on the left, so I would presume all detail will be lost. Can anyone give me some idea where to start?

[rogue541]

Re: Is this beyond repair.

I am new to photo restoring as well. I use photoshop. I tried some things like adjusting curves and dust and scratches filter, but from those I did lighten it up some. you might also be able to copy some of the bricks and paste them into the white areas. and just darken the bottom. These are a few things I would do.

[0lBaldy]

Re: Is this beyond repair.

rogue541 & ronecc, welcome to RetouchPRO Hope you enjoy your time here and make lots of friends. Poke around, ask questions, offer help, have fun!

ronecc, I would start by scanning in color as outlined here. then cropping out everything except the detail you want preserved, apply a curves and/or levels adjustment layer (masking the details), then a bit of cleanup using the clone tool judiciously

[rogue541]

Re: Is this beyond repair.

rogue541 & ronecc, welcome to RetouchPRO Hope you enjoy your time here and make lots of friends. Poke around, ask questions, offer help, have fun!

ronecc, I would start by scanning in color as outlined here. then cropping out everything except the detail you want preserved, apply a curves and/or levels adjustment layer (masking the details), then a bit of cleanup using the clone tool judiciously

OlBlady, if he wanted to keep the whole pic couldnt he just copy and paste bricks to the left to cover the white areas? I had a question here but figured out a way to accomplish mine.

[0lBaldy]

Re: Is this beyond repair.

OlBlady, if he wanted to keep the whole pic couldnt he just copy and paste bricks to the left to cover the white areas? I had a question here but figured out a way to accomplish mine.

Of course, all things (almost) can be corrected with the proper retouching tools... all that's required is time and familiarity with the tools of the trade

[rogue541]

Re: Is this beyond repair.

Of course, all things (almost) can be corrected with the proper retouching tools... all that's required is time and familiarity with the tools of the trade

That is one thing I have learned. I am right now trying to restore one pic that has some major damage. I got everything figured out now. Well at least I think I do. My only major problem is some of the areas are really bright and hard to see. I figured out that the burn tool is a good tool for darkening areas that are bright and hard to see. You just have to make sure you don't over use it.

[ronecc]

Re: Is this beyond repair.

Thanks for your replies guys. You have shown me it is possible, and with your suggestions I will get on with fettling it. Sorry, 'fettling' is a Northern English word for doing some fine finishing work, if you did not already know.

[rogue541]

Re: Is this beyond repair.

Thanks for your replies guys. You have shown me it is possible, and with your suggestions I will get on with fettling it. Sorry, 'fettling' is a Northern English word for doing some fine finishing work, if you did not already know.

Lol we use it here in the south as well, but we say fiddling.

[Gary]

Re: Is this beyond repair.

Cropped, added some colour and altered the lighting a bit.

Cheers!

[ronecc]

Re: Is this beyond repair.

Thanks Gary. I am going to see what I can do with all the suggestions. Not had time yet as I am busy trying to get my car rebuild ready for the summer.