Need help with old photo

[kayser]

I visited my parents for Thanksgiving, and my mom had just received a treasure trove of old photos from her sister. The photo below is my mother and her siblings in 1945. I like this photo, but it needs work and I am not so clear on where to start with older photos. Any help would be appreciated!

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1e0WkYKPrN4DV251ycfik7iwRDXk10_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1e0WkYKPrN4DV251ycfik7iwRDXk10)

[chas3stix]

Kay,
I've done a little restoration work on a few "oldies". I usually start off by scanning the photo to the PC. Then work on a copy of it. There's a current video in the subscribers area about working with B&W. The photo you posted surely needs toning down....way too bright. I hope this helps.
Chas

[GaryK]

Kay

I messed arond for just a bit.. the biggest problem for me (and there are far more experienced people around) was the little guy in white.. his suit was totally blown out.

Try copying the layer and set the copy blend mode to multiply (twice was about right for everybody else in the photo).

You can either desaturate first or merge down (make ssure you are working on a copy) and then mess around with the colour. cloning or cropping out the smudge/dirt would probably help as well.

[kayser]

Thanks guys! I did do the duplicate layers and multiply, but I wasn't sure what else I should try. Yeah, I haven't started working on the dust and scratches. I have to keep telling myself to have patience- I want to just start working on the album, but I have to fix the pictures first!!

[GaryK]

Kay

Sometimes I think we spend too much time trying to make them perfect and they lose some of their nostalgic appeal.
At least in my mind.:p

[Daviskw]

Hi Kay

Like Gary I don't think you can do a lot with this picture. There is too much lost detail. Maybe if there was another picture of the child you could paste and blend. Or try and draw some detail in. I tried but it did not come out too convincing.

I thought adding a little quick color may help but he still stands out and there are other areas with lost detail. I think you will need to compromise with this one

Butch

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1HY0mnj8usZZ7vcqKDzC7CVHy1uIU_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1HY0mnj8usZZ7vcqKDzC7CVHy1uIU)

[Wendy]

Hi Kay ...

I had quite a few photos like this one in a old album and I didn't even try to make them perfect ... I just did my best with them.

Like Gary ... I think that part of their charm is how they actually look :)

Wendy

[kayser]

Thanks Butch and Wendy! I am fine with leaving them- my mom and her family are more interested in the memories that the photographs evoke rather than their quality. I just wanted to make sure I was making an honest attempt to make the pictures look as good as possible!

On the colorization of the photo- I had initially dismissed doing it, but I like what you did, Butch. The photo was taken in central Kansas, and your coloriing of it reminds me of Dorothy/Wizard of Oz!

[Wendy]

Hi Kay ..

I think this is a really nice photo and I have had a quick play around with it .. here is what I can up with:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Y3CutljQzi1rmwoSesZllrrdGA0w_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1Y3CutljQzi1rmwoSesZllrrdGA0w)

I love the expressions on everyones faces they just all look so happy :)

Wendy

[msbrad]

I love the old photos, and do have abunch to try and salvage on the things to do list.
Great work Butch and Wendy on this restoration.
m

[El Monjar]

I've had some luck on old photos with the Dodge and Burn tools.

E