photo cracked and faded

[mpoo21]

Hello,

My names is James. Thank you for letting me join the group. I have been working with photos for just a little bit. Just something to do on the weekend. My neighbor had asked if I could try and fix a photo of his father from Marine boot camp. I have looked around the forum and found a few thinks to try, with no luck. I have tried to use the healing brushes, clone tool, patch tool, and De-crack action. The photo that I have been working on is starting to look unnatural. I don't have access to the photo anymore and cant scan in color. Was wondering if someone could point me in the direction I need to be going. Thank you

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...rine1943-1.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...rine1943-2.jpg

[nrsm]

Re: photo cracked and faded

Wow - lots of cracks. First of all, a "de-crack" action and other filters will lose a lot of detail. Filter usage needs to be done carefully and selectively or they blur. For this image I would scan at least 600, IN COLOR (check your channels), work on at 200% and carefully heal and clone. This photo will take a lot of time to restore. Good luck!

[philbach]

Re: photo cracked and faded

Well this is a problem. I used levels to improve the contrast and then Nik Define to get rid of some of the cracks. I replaced the ground (poorly) with a texture. I thought the marine was standing on grass. I filled in the sky with one color.

James, The texture of your "ground" on your restore does look better than mine I might add. I would recommend on your restore that you remove all the color. And then use a noise reducing app such as Neat Image, Nik Define, or Noise Ninja or similar app. Photoshops reduce noise did not seem to do much.

[mpoo21]

Re: photo cracked and faded

nrsm - That is what I thought when I first saw the picture. WOW - lots of cracks. If I can get a hold of it I will try to scan in color. As for the heal and clone, that is what I have been doing. I will just have to take my time. Thank you for the tips.

philbach - Thank you for the complement on the ground. I have been playing around with the levels and curves to brighten it up. As far as I know he is standing on grass. I will have to try the programs that you suggested. Thanks for the advice.

[Restoratorium]

Re: photo cracked and faded

mpoo21: I have been working on some photos with lots of cracks like this. I use the healing brush for most of it and a Wacom digital pen tablet. Do you have a pen tablet? You just need to work with a small, soft brush and constantly be resampling your healing brush. I usually select a new sample in-between ever brush stroke. Remove the cracks bit by bit. It take time.

[Cupcake]

Re: photo cracked and faded

Here is another one.

[mpoo21]

Re: photo cracked and faded

Restoratorium: Thank you for the advice. Yes I have a pen tablet. Still trying to learn how to get used to it, a little different than the mouse.

Cupcake: That looks pretty good. What all did you do?

[Cupcake]

Re: photo cracked and faded

You can get use to it by using it on the web all the time.
The best way to retouch

[Restoratorium]

Re: photo cracked and faded

mpoo21: yes, i agree with cupcake, use it as much as you can, not just for retouching. I only use my tablet for design and retouch work, but I'v been using it for 3 years now almost every day. I still like to use my mouse for everything else, but while you are learning and getting used to it, I would recommend using it for everything.