Need Help or advice on proceeding.

[moyeraj]

I'm posting a photo, part of a larger one I'm restoring. I wish to enhance the faded letters, and background as much as possible given what I have to work with. The photo (Sign) is located in my gallery. Any advice is welcome.

[bnk1953]

I'm thinking my first job would be to try to get rid of the dark spots. Maybe cloning area around the black spots over the spots. After that go to enhance and use adjust lighting - using contrast to bring up the grayed areas. Of course doing this all on layers. I'm sure there are others that will come along to offer better ways.
~bruce.

ps good luck on your project.

[Wendy]

Here is the link to the image :

http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=1615&catid=5

Wendy

[frank abramonte]

Don't get rid of the dark spots first. There maybe some detail next or touching the dark spots that you don't want to lose.
First enhance the picture as much as possible to reveal the rest of the written matter. Then you can worry about the dark spots.

[bnk1953]

Frank is right - the black spots can't get any worse then they are. I tried an enhance and there is a lot of info "hidden" info in the "sign" which you might delete by cloning first.
~bruce.

[frank abramonte]

I managed to get some detail, but the name eludes me. If you know the name of the orchestra then you can concentrate on the name and maybe reconstruct it. Can you post a clearer photo?
There seems to be christmas ornament.

It's "blank" Orchestra & "blank" Cornet
You may want to search the directors name. Is it Neef or Neel?
Perhaps some other contributor can suggest additional help.



http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1eYKra0ZJbjihVDwIiKuDWSUSqopDs_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1eYKra0ZJbjihVDwIiKuDWSUSqopDs)

[uniqcrafts]

The best way to work on this picture is in Camera Raw. Then adjust the light and dark areas.