honeycomb while scanning old kodak photos

[darrennie]

Since this is my first post let say thanks to all that put the time in, you know who you are.:)
This is a problem my mother is having with her mac (10.4.11) and is using photoshop elements 3 and a epson v100 photo scanner.
She has been scanning multiple old photos for archiving and copies for family members with no problems... until now.
The photo's are the old 1970's era 3.5" x 3.5" kodak paper that has a very rough feel to it and when she scans it the surface that makes up the photo causes hexagons to appear when the scan is finished. It looks like a honeycomb effect. I can't seem to find any info on this effect, or a fix. Does anyone have any suggestions on this. Thanks in advance.

[darrennie]

Link to problem photo in gallery. (http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/files/2/5/1/7/7/bea_10_crop.png)

[Wendy]

Hi ..

... and welcome to the Village :)

This sort of patterning is actually quite difficult to remove .. but first try scanning it using a slightly different placing on the scanner bed. Sometime a change of angle can make a lot of difference.

then try some of the suggestions here:

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-restoration/24506-trying-remove-texture.html

Wendy :)

[Daviskw]

Hi Darrennie

It may be easier for you to download some free software off the net designed to remove regular textures.

The one I used on your example was called Image Analyzer...HERE (http://meesoft.logicnet.dk/)

Once installed and your file opened go to "Operations>Filters>Frequency Domain Filter".

A black field will appear with weird looking dots or stars. You want to adjust a pen size and just black out the regular dots or stars. But you must not blacken the large white area at the center top.

Don't forget however to look closely for dot or stars along the top edge.

Below is how a marked the screen for your photo.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/161AXxVtmgIUKwlLPFburKapvZYzs_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=161AXxVtmgIUKwlLPFburKapvZYzs)

I looks weird and complicated but it's not...it does a great job of removing regular textures without blurring your photo. It is software worth keeping for just this use.
Butch



http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1xPVZvIZkidaepomkRGYS80blK3f_thumb.png (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1xPVZvIZkidaepomkRGYS80blK3f)

[Daviskw]

Darrennie

I'm sorry to say I didn't read your post as close as I should.... Image Analyzer does not have a Mac version just yet.

I'm not sure if there is a equivalent program for the Mac out there but it would be worth the search.

Butch

[frank abramonte]

darrennie, are the photos printed on pebble paper?

If yes try 2 ways of scanning.

1. Raise the photo from the glass by inserting some card stock between the photo and the glass. I would say maybe 2 thicknesses of a playing card. Make sure that the photo is not touching the glass, this should help diffuse the dots.

2. Wrap the photo in some saran wrap and scan through the saran wrap. Hopefully this will also diffuse the dots.

One other way is to rotate the photo on the scanner glass in hopes of minimizing the pattern. Try turning about 10-15 degrees until you get to about 90 and scan each angle.

There are two other ways, however I don't recommend them since they could possibly ruin your original photos:
1. Smear a thin even layer of clear gel over the face of the print.

2. Emerse the photo in a tray with about 1/4" of water and make a copy of it with your camera, then scan the print.
When you make the copy the camera must be perfectly perpendicular to the subject or you will get distortion.

[darrennie]

Wendy, thanks for the link, I will pass it on to my mom.

Davidskw, I think I will get my mother to rescan and send me a copy so I can try your suggestion as well.

frank, it is a very fine but uniform coating that makes the photo feel rough not the usual glossy feel, as for the saran wrap I actually was thinking of trying it last night but ran out of time.
all sound like viable plans.
Thanks again to all for the great ideas & a great forum.
Me Ma much appreciates it. ;)

[Newtome]

This is something that may work for you.


filter noise median 2 px
apply noise despeckle filter
apply slight gaussian blur .4 px

You may want to watch the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqHRURW12zk&feature=user

Elaine