I suspect this restore is more than I can handle. The good news is that I've learned a lot. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have on how to improve this photo. Thanks
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/philbach/Operation%20Photo%20Rescue/OperationPRII/TheBefore_zpsa313761b.jpg) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/philbach/media/Operation%20Photo%20Rescue/OperationPRII/TheBefore_zpsa313761b.jpg.html)
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/philbach/Operation%20Photo%20Rescue/OperationPRII/TheAfter_zpsc1416534.jpg) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/philbach/media/Operation%20Photo%20Rescue/OperationPRII/TheAfter_zpsc1416534.jpg.html)
Looks painted.
It does look painted. That is the problem.
Wow, Phil, I can see that you sure have put in a lot of work.
just a little suggestion to consider:
- try placing your wip over a color-corrected copy of the original. Then reduce the opacity of the wip image to a point at which you might consider resuming your work.
I realize that some of the current wip image will vanish, but you might be happier in the long run to back up a little & start again at a new point.
(Perhaps, experiment with different blending modes - lighter, darker, etc. when blending the current wip with the original.,)
fwiw: I've done the above with some of my work more than I care to admit :)
I agree with Betty. Maybe you could try using that layer set to Color blend mode and use a copy of the layer with the damage repaired (before you painted) as a Luminosity layer, then adjust until it looks right. You might have to do a little work after that.
Bambi
Phil,
This is not an easy one to pull off. The term painted can have a bad connotation if not done right, but there are those and Kiska is one that can do a do it beautifully, but even she prefers not to unless no other way out. It takes more skills than I have and it means being very good with brushes. The girl by being painted seems to have lost the expression in her eyes and they look dead. With a color correction her skin would be fair and not pink. Look at the green channel and you see more detail. On her eyes and I do not see the eyeliner look that you given at the bottom. I also do not think she has the puffiness under her eyes. Her lips look like she doesn't have lipstick and I wouldn't paint with pink. I think you have really given a lot of effort to shading her face so the contours will look right.
I would probably color correct and then make a second copy and use the green channel as a black/white (but still in RGB mode) and then colorize. This is not an easy one to restore and kudos for you for trying.
Margie
Well thanks everyone. I will have another go at it. And step back some. This one may be beyond my abilities.
Hi Phil,
Sometimes the healing, blurring layers need a bit of noise added to them to make them more normal looking, to blend in better.
I moved the original to a different cleaner background, I usually don't do that but I wanted to emphasize the woman's features . I turned it black and white and cleaned it up a little. Maybe this could help. Also I repaired the slanted eye with the good one http://imageshack.com/a/img841/47/iz1d.jpg
Well I took Margie's advice and started working on the green channel. I used the healing brush primarily. That seemed to be a much better path to take. Here is where I am now. I realize that more toning around the forehead and top of nose should be done.
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/philbach/Operation%20Photo%20Rescue/OperationPRII/LuminosityFix4_zps1e8d3730.jpg) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/philbach/media/Operation%20Photo%20Rescue/OperationPRII/LuminosityFix4_zps1e8d3730.jpg.html)
Phil, This is much better. More work to do as you noted, but she looks much better. :up:
Margie
Thank you Margie. Thanks for you advice as well. I will press on.
You've come so far with a difficult picture!! :up: Am enjoying watching the progress!