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Title: Is this restorable?
Post by: seelcraft on October 01, 2016, 10:55:04 AM

To me, the greatest pleasure in a restoration is when details leap out of a yellow, dingy photo when it is color-corrected.
This is not one of those time: I think this photo is beyond help. What do you think?
Here's what I've squeezed out so far.

Original:
(http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll35/seelcraft/Condyoriginal_zpsnzft08v6.jpg) (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/seelcraft/media/Condyoriginal_zpsnzft08v6.jpg.html)

Color corrected:
(http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll35/seelcraft/Condyoriginalcolorcorrected_zpsvqfapfkt.jpg) (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/seelcraft/media/Condyoriginalcolorcorrected_zpsvqfapfkt.jpg.html)

Pushed the contrast, dodged and burned to bring out detail:
(http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll35/seelcraft/Condypartlypatchedandpushed_zps3ebvantv.jpg) (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/seelcraft/media/Condypartlypatchedandpushed_zps3ebvantv.jpg.html)

Reconstructed some of the architecture while avoiding trying to puzzle out the faces:
(http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll35/seelcraft/Condypartlyconstructed_zpskwocxcp5.jpg) (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/seelcraft/media/Condypartlyconstructed_zpskwocxcp5.jpg.html)

Is this restorable?

Thanks in advance for any suggestion!

Doug

Title: Re: Is this restorable?
Post by: Shadow on October 01, 2016, 01:06:53 PM

Doug,

Wow! Looks like you have taken the photo quite a ways.

Hope some of the really experienced folks will be able to give you the answers you seek.

Good luck!

Title: Re: Is this restorable?
Post by: Shadow on October 01, 2016, 01:16:58 PM

Hi Doug,
Cudos to you take on such a difficult image!
Lyn

Title: Re: Is this restorable?
Post by: Lynnya on October 01, 2016, 02:02:20 PM

Wow.. you are brave.. you've gotton a lot out of it so far. I agree with shadow that it's a little girl on the right.. my sense tells me that might be a woman standing in the back.. although.. when I look at it again it has a man's body language arms resting on the wall?? or is that my imagination...
Looking forward to seeing where you get!
Lynn

Title: Re: Is this restorable?
Post by: Beth on October 01, 2016, 02:14:30 PM

I see it as a man with his arms folded and leaning on the rail. I think he's wearing a dark shirt and light colored suspenders. And I see a curly headed little girl on the far right.

Title: Re: Is this restorable?
Post by: kiska on October 02, 2016, 06:12:05 AM

Person on right: man, suspenders, arms folded. Beard, probably damage, tho? Maybe grandpa?

(http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm81/kiskaopr/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-02%20at%205.09.52%20AM_zpsbve490te.png) (http://s294.photobucket.com/user/kiskaopr/media/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-02%20at%205.09.52%20AM_zpsbve490te.png.html)

Title: Re: Is this restorable?
Post by: Shadow on October 02, 2016, 10:45:41 AM

Kiska,

You're right. Would you share what you did to get to that screen shot?

Thanks for posting this Doug.

Lyn

Title: Re: Is this restorable?
Post by: kiska on October 02, 2016, 03:11:56 PM

I'm afraid I trashed it. I remember levels, each channel; curves, 2 adjustment layers, one for black and one for white. Stamp visible then Image>Adjustments>shadow/highlights. Play around with the curves and Shadow/Highlights. Best this ole brain can do.

Title: Re: Is this restorable?
Post by: Lynnya on October 02, 2016, 03:35:46 PM

Looks like he might have a hat on...

Title: Re: Is this restorable?
Post by: Shadow on October 03, 2016, 11:21:22 AM

Kiska,

Thank you. Forgot all about the mighty Shadow/Highlights.

Have any of you had any success with the HDR toning (PS/Adjustments) to help with challenging images?

Have a good one.

Lyn

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