any FAQs on restoring old photos?

You have the rest of the pic?

Steve

— faith \’fath\ n : firm belief in something for which there is no proof. Webster’s Dictionary

From: "Rob"
Newsgroups: alt.graphics.photoshop
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 18:19:44 GMT
Subject: any FAQs on restoring old photos?

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?

Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

No, that’s everything, I cropped it and restored the missing corner with Alien Skin (as you can see in pic #2). I don’t have a problem with that, I’m more interested in cleaning up the graniness, scratchiness, lines, sharpening up the image, etc.

Monty Jake Monty wrote:

You have the rest of the pic?

Steve

— faith \’fath\ n : firm belief in something for which there is no proof. Webster’s Dictionary

From: "Rob"
Newsgroups: alt.graphics.photoshop
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 18:19:44 GMT
Subject: any FAQs on restoring old photos?

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?
Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 18:19:44 GMT, "Rob" wrote:

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?

Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

I suggest you purchase Katrin Eismann’s book, Photoshop Restoration and Retouching.

—

Hecate – The Real One

Fashion: Buying things you don’t need, with money
you don’t have, to impress people you don’t like…

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?

Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

Are you sure that those vertical lines are on the pictures? I’ve got a feeling that they are being caused by the scanner, try putting a photo on the scanner sideways to see if the lines still go from top to bottom or side to side. I may be wrong but I have seen something similar a few years ago that was caused by a faulty scanner.

—
Geoff Jackson, Nottingham, UK.

www.gjphotographic.co.uk
(Remove the obvious to reply)

Not sure what alien skin does but the cloning stamp tool might produce better results. For a pic like that you can select the background and blur that then the detailed areas won’t be as obvious with the grain. Copy a layer or two & dust & scratch reduce them to different degrees then erase down (using masks so you can undo it) to reveal areas of more detail like the eyes and edges. The smudge tool is good for running along edges to remove grain & hold the edge. That’s the finger under the ‘blur’ tool droplet icon. It and the clone stamp are good for specks & rips. Try different opacities on the blur for different needs. I’m not sure what to do with those streaks. You might even want to add them back to the background after blurring so it all matches.

Rob wrote:

No, that’s everything, I cropped it and restored the missing corner with Alien Skin (as you can see in pic #2). I don’t have a problem with that, I’m more interested in cleaning up the graniness, scratchiness, lines, sharpening up the image, etc.

Monty Jake Monty wrote:

You have the rest of the pic?

Steve

— faith \’fath\ n : firm belief in something for which there is no proof. Webster’s Dictionary

From: "Rob"
Newsgroups: alt.graphics.photoshop
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 18:19:44 GMT
Subject: any FAQs on restoring old photos?

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?
Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

Geoff Jackson wrote:

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?
Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

Are you sure that those vertical lines are on the pictures? I’ve got a feeling that they are being caused by the scanner, try putting a photo on the scanner sideways to see if the lines still go from top to bottom or side to side. I may be wrong but I have seen something similar a few years ago that was caused by a faulty scanner.

Thanks, I’ve never seen the originals so I’ll check with my dad.

Hecate wrote:

On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 18:19:44 GMT, "Rob" wrote:

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?
Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

I suggest you purchase Katrin Eismann’s book, Photoshop Restoration and Retouching.

thanks, ill check it out

Rob wrote:

Hecate wrote:

On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 18:19:44 GMT, "Rob" wrote:

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?
Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

I suggest you purchase Katrin Eismann’s book, Photoshop Restoration and Retouching.

thanks, ill check it out

just ordered it, $8.73 with shipping in "like new" condition from amazon.

Rob wrote:

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?

Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

Hi rob,

have you thought about adding a light film grain effect (or adding noise)? That would help to hide those vertical lines. It would look reasonably authentic on an image of that period too.

That tear acorss the image could certainly be improved using cloning techniques too.

Brian.

In article <4lZ%d.14388$ says…

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?

Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

Nothing fancy…

http://www.themagician8.com/auntie.htm

I made a new layer.
Traced her original torn bottom with the pen tool.
Made it a selection in Paths.
Moved it over till it lined up, then deselected it.
Used the clone stamp and healing brush… a lot.
Messed with the levels.
Cropped the picture.
And lastly, added the frame effect and stroked it.
Took about 20 minutes.

"Rob" wrote in message

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?

Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

Might be worth visiting the forums at www.retouchpro.com. Some very helpful people there who can give advice and feedback on restoration and retouching. You could also try the freeware program Neat Image for removing noise (to try to minimise some of those lines) Found at http://www.neatimage.com/. I made a quick attempt – no attempt to remove the lines other than the Neat Image filter, along with some unsharp mask and some very basic tear clean up. You can check it out here: http://www.tv83.net/Untitled-1 copy.jpg Simply demonstrates that Neat Image is partially successful – maybe making extra cleanup a little less laborious. A agree you should check out the scanner though – it is a rather form of noise to find on a print.

Caitlin

Opps! Make that http://www.tv83.net/Untitled-1copy.jpg

"Caitlin" wrote in message

"Rob" wrote in message

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?

Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

Might be worth visiting the forums at www.retouchpro.com. Some very helpful people there who can give advice and feedback on restoration and retouching. You could also try the freeware program Neat Image for removing noise (to try to minimise some of those lines) Found at http://www.neatimage.com/. I made a quick attempt – no attempt to remove the lines other than the Neat Image filter, along with some unsharp mask and some very basic tear clean up. You can check it out here: http://www.tv83.net/Untitled-1 copy.jpg Simply demonstrates that Neat Image is partially successful – maybe making extra cleanup a little less laborious. A agree you should check out the scanner though – it is a rather form of noise to find on a print.

Caitlin

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 02:57:43 GMT, "Rob" wrote:

I suggest you purchase Katrin Eismann’s book, Photoshop Restoration and Retouching.

thanks, ill check it out

just ordered it, $8.73 with shipping in "like new" condition from amazon.

You won’t be disappointed. It is *the* book to have for restoration and retouching. If it’s not in there, you probably can’t do it 😉

—

Hecate – The Real One

Fashion: Buying things you don’t need, with money
you don’t have, to impress people you don’t like…

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 02:24:05 -0500, The Magician
wrote:

I made a new layer.
Traced her original torn bottom with the pen tool.

Auntie had got a torn bottom? That *must’ve* hurt…

—

Hecate – The Real One

Fashion: Buying things you don’t need, with money
you don’t have, to impress people you don’t like…

The Magician wrote:

In article <4lZ%d.14388$ says…

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?
Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

Nothing fancy…

http://www.themagician8.com/auntie.htm

I made a new layer.
Traced her original torn bottom with the pen tool.
Made it a selection in Paths.
Moved it over till it lined up, then deselected it.
Used the clone stamp and healing brush… a lot.
Messed with the levels.
Cropped the picture.
And lastly, added the frame effect and stroked it.
Took about 20 minutes.

VERY nice! thank you!

Caitlin wrote:

"Rob" wrote in message

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?
Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

Might be worth visiting the forums at www.retouchpro.com. Some very helpful people there who can give advice and feedback on restoration and retouching. You could also try the freeware program Neat Image for removing noise (to try to minimise some of those lines) Found at http://www.neatimage.com/. I made a quick attempt – no attempt to remove the lines other than the Neat Image filter, along with some unsharp mask and some very basic tear clean up. You can check it out here: http://www.tv83.net/Untitled-1 copy.jpg Simply demonstrates that Neat Image is partially successful – maybe making extra cleanup a little less laborious. A agree you should check out the scanner though – it is a rather form of noise to find on a print. Caitlin

thanks for the pointers and the repair on the rip, looks much better.

I’ve had some success using the clone tool.
"Rob" wrote in message

The Magician wrote:

In article <4lZ%d.14388$ says…

My father just found a box of old photos circa 1920-1930 of family members and has scanned them in. Many are in bits and pieces. I’ve used photoshop and Alien Skin smart fill to clean them up somewhat but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about the graniness and vertical lines that run through most of these pics (looks like the film scraping against equipment or something). I’ve tried the built in dust/scratch/despeckle tools in Photoshop CS but it just blurs the area. What would you do next to clean these up further?
Examples:
Original: http://www.nema.com/junk/1.jpg
Fixed: http://www.nema.com/junk/1-fixed.jpg

My example 2 just crashed :(. Let’s start with just that above example then. Thanks for any ideas!

Nothing fancy…

http://www.themagician8.com/auntie.htm

I made a new layer.
Traced her original torn bottom with the pen tool.
Made it a selection in Paths.
Moved it over till it lined up, then deselected it.
Used the clone stamp and healing brush… a lot.
Messed with the levels.
Cropped the picture.
And lastly, added the frame effect and stroked it.
Took about 20 minutes.

VERY nice! thank you!