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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Amy K on Thursday 23 September 04 20:40 BST (UK)

Title: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Amy K on Thursday 23 September 04 20:40 BST (UK)
I have an old photograph of my grandad and his sisters. Will I be able to repair it myself digitally or will I need a "professional"?

The photo is below.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Amy K on Thursday 23 September 04 20:43 BST (UK)
 :o

Oh Dear, sorry.

 I didn't mean to make it that big!!!

Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Nicky on Thursday 23 September 04 20:48 BST (UK)
Hi
I had a photo repaired but professionally in the USA but since having mine done I came across this site in the UK

http://www.jigrah.co.uk/

Nicky
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Steve Ley on Thursday 23 September 04 20:51 BST (UK)
Hi Amy, If you aren't in any rush for a perfect copy it is very simple to do it yourself. Make sure you work on a copy then it will not matter if you make a mistake.  
I have done it on a creased and torn photo and was very pleased it with it.
One tip i have is to enlarge the area you are going to work on untill it is very pixalated and you will find matching colours much easier.

Steve.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: PaulineJ on Thursday 23 September 04 21:09 BST (UK)
I'd agree that you should do-it-yourself. Start with the faces; and as Steve says enlarge it so that it looks 'blocky'; It makes it easier to pick the 'right' tone and position out. Clothing and whatever can usually be well-disguised by smudging the creases.

The small print of most repair companies seem to that faces are too difficult (ie time-consuming) to do well. Be sure to show us the results.

Pauline
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Spotty on Thursday 23 September 04 21:14 BST (UK)
Sit tight my hubby is going to repair it for you.  :)
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Spotty on Thursday 23 September 04 22:12 BST (UK)
How is this for a first attemp?

He said he will carry on with it tomorrow to remove some of the blemishes.

(http://www.81x.com/Authors/liverpool_lip/photo_repair_1.jpg)
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Amy K on Thursday 23 September 04 23:06 BST (UK)
Wow, That is brilliant!!

Can he tell us how he did it??? So we can do others for ourselves? Which program did he use, for example?
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Steve Ley on Thursday 23 September 04 23:14 BST (UK)
Hi Amy, The programme i use is Adobe Photoshop Elemnts. As well as repairing photo's you can also alter the photo to look like a watercolour, etching etc. You can change the colour of peoples clothes. But best of all is you can take different people from photo's and put them into one so you can actually be seen in the same photograph as your GGG Granparents.  :o
Just mess about and experiment and you will soon get the hang of it.

Steve.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Steve Ley on Thursday 23 September 04 23:28 BST (UK)
Here is a good site for downloads which includes Irfanview which i do know a lot of people use.

http://www.download.com/3150-2192-0-1-0.html?qt=&author=&titlename=&desc=&dlcount=&daysback=&swlink=&gfiletype=&os=&li=49&dlsize=&ca=

Steve.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Fittygen on Friday 24 September 04 06:23 BST (UK)
Hi Amy,

I had a fiddle with this i hope you dont mind.   I,m not very good but i think there is a little improvement. 

I use PSP 8 , you can download a free trial at www.jasc.com.  There are lots of tutorials on the net to restore old photographs, just do a google.

Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: newbie on Friday 24 September 04 07:56 BST (UK)
Hi,
Gosh the repairs are really impressive I have several torn and wrinkly photos that I have been thinking about having repaired but the cost is so high!
Would  someone used to using computers - but not the photo thingys - be able to do this, all the help sites I've looked at are so complicated I give up!
Newbie
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Steve Ley on Friday 24 September 04 08:00 BST (UK)
I would be willing to give it a go if you would like to send me PM with your e-mail address.


Steve.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: PaulineJ on Friday 24 September 04 10:15 BST (UK)

I'd like to point out at this point that the only probelm with doing-it-yourself is getting the photo
scanned in in the first place.
It *can* be done on a relatively cheap scanner, but if you ever need to zoom in it looks 'blocky'.

Anyone within range of Halifax is welcome to contact me about using our 3200dpi scanner
if they bring the photos (or negatives) and a bottle (or two)  to pass the time.

Pauline
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Friday 24 September 04 10:27 BST (UK)
Just to clarify that, for those who didn't know:

your normal, cheap, special offer scanner usually has 200, or maybe 300 dpi (dots per inch)

So,  3200 dpi, WOW !!
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Amy K on Friday 24 September 04 12:46 BST (UK)
Hi Amy,

I had a fiddle with this i hope you dont mind.   I,m not very good but i think there is a little improvement. 



I don't mind in the least Fittygen. Thank you for taking the time to help.

Thank you to everyone for your tips too.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: PeterSzewc on Friday 24 September 04 14:18 BST (UK)
I have done quite a few repairs with good results and don't mind helping anyone out. I will watch this thread or contact me directly.

Peter.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Hackstaple on Friday 24 September 04 14:23 BST (UK)
Peter
What programme do you use for photo repair. I have a couple installed but have never used them for this process.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Spotty on Friday 24 September 04 14:57 BST (UK)
Wow, That is brilliant!!

Can he tell us how he did it??? So we can do others for ourselves? Which program did he use, for example?

I'm glad you like it.

He uses a programme called adobe photoshop.  He uses it for his job - he is a designer - so he's very familiar with the programme.  To learn yourself would take quite some time though.

Just post any more pictures on here and he'll have a look at them for you.

Pam.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: PeterSzewc on Friday 24 September 04 15:08 BST (UK)
Hi Hackstaple, I primarily use Photoshop 7. Does quite a nice job as long as the resolution of the scan is high to begin with.

Peter.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Hackstaple on Friday 24 September 04 16:46 BST (UK)
Spotty - I had posted this old picture - here is the URL of it:
http://www.rootschat.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11518.0#msg38462


Would be obliged if hubby can take a look.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Spotty on Friday 24 September 04 16:59 BST (UK)
Spotty - I had posted this old picture - here is the URL of it:
http://www.rootschat.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11518.0#msg38462


Would be obliged if hubby can take a look.

I've saved it to our computer, I'll get him to work on it when he comes in.  Its in a worse condition so it will take more time. 

 :)
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Spotty on Friday 24 September 04 18:20 BST (UK)
(http://www.81x.com/Authors/liverpool_lip/photo_repair_soldier1.jpg)


I hope you like this.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Steve Ley on Friday 24 September 04 18:43 BST (UK)
I'm very impressed and he did it so quick as well !!

Steve.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Spotty on Friday 24 September 04 18:45 BST (UK)
I'm very impressed and he did it so quick as well !!

Steve.

I helped....  ;)

Well actually I'm a slave driver!!
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Hackstaple on Friday 24 September 04 19:53 BST (UK)
That was fabulous. Handsome critter wasn't he? My father and unfortunately with too much of an eye for women.
Thanks very much - a great job.

This is great club to belong to.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Matty on Tuesday 28 September 04 10:12 BST (UK)
Help!!!!! this is my only picture of my Grandparents who died long before I was born, so it is rather special to me as it is the only thing I have that belonged to them. 

Can anything be done about it I know it is very faded, do I need to send it away to be done? (I am usless with computors). Advice needed. 

Matty
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Amy K on Tuesday 28 September 04 10:57 BST (UK)
Can you post the picture Matty, and let us have a gander?

Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Matty on Tuesday 28 September 04 12:03 BST (UK)
Amy I have kept trying to send the photo & when I go on to additions then browse I get the " grandparents" in the box, click on post & it say to reattatch!!!!!  still no luck ( I could be an ancestor before I get it ???

Matty
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: newbie on Tuesday 28 September 04 13:22 BST (UK)
Matty,
It's there, whoooo...
I can see it, it is very faded, hope someone can help you,
Newbie :)
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: PeterSzewc on Tuesday 28 September 04 14:00 BST (UK)
Hi Matty... is it possible to rescan the photo at a higher resolution? It would be a shame to spend time on it for such a small photo. A larger one scaled down will print out much better. If that is the only one you have, I can see what I can do for you.
Peter.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Matty on Tuesday 28 September 04 15:16 BST (UK)
Hi Peter, thanks for the offer to help I have rescanned the photo if it is not good enough I will have another go (I am not much good with the computer 

Matty
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: PeterSzewc on Tuesday 28 September 04 15:30 BST (UK)
Matty... still a bit small, but much better. I will have a go and post it back up.
Peter.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: PeterSzewc on Tuesday 28 September 04 16:22 BST (UK)
Matty, I did a quick job to see how it will turn out. I think we need a higher res, the faces are quite distorted when you zoom in. Here is a preview... I can get it much better, but if you could rescan at 300 dpi and email the photo to me, we will get a much better result. Don't try and post the photo here because it will be too big. I will send my email address on a personal message.
Regards, Peter.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Spotty on Tuesday 28 September 04 17:10 BST (UK)
I'll ask himself to look at it when he comes in but I agree the resolution is a bit poor, can you beef it up a bit?

 :)

Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Fitty on Tuesday 28 September 04 18:58 BST (UK)
I hope you dont mind but i had a fiddle too

Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Matty on Tuesday 28 September 04 19:38 BST (UK)
Hi Spotty, 

Thanks for the offer hope "himself" doesn't mind  Matty :D :D
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: PeterSzewc on Tuesday 28 September 04 20:22 BST (UK)
Fitty.... good job, the more the better. I have a higher res scan from Matty if you want to have a go on that as well. You can get it from Matty or myself, just let one of us know.

Peter.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Fitty on Tuesday 28 September 04 22:56 BST (UK)
I've mailed you, Peter  :)
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Fitty on Thursday 30 September 04 21:23 BST (UK)
This is what i was able to do with the High Res Scan that peter emailed me.

I have it saved without the frame so if you want that one as well just let me know.

Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Matty on Thursday 30 September 04 22:08 BST (UK)
Hi Fitty, 

I am so pleased with the photo and isn't it posh with a frame ;D ;D ;D ;D Thank you very much for all your trouble.  I can now see the faces of my Aunts, Uncle and Grandparents, also now see family resemblances.   

Matty  ;D
Title: completed thank you
Post by: newbie on Thursday 07 October 04 17:24 BST (UK)
completed thank you
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Fitty on Thursday 07 October 04 19:06 BST (UK)
Hi Newbie,
I've had a go with the picture of your mum. As i said in my email a higher Res would have produced better results but this is the best i can do with this pic.  The cloning tool is ok for large areas but you need to zoom right in and match up the pixels for a better/natural result.  This looks more like a sketch than anything.

Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Zeb on Saturday 09 October 04 22:00 BST (UK)
There's some pretty impressive work being done here.  I've been repairing some of our family photographs but the repairs on those torn photographs are absolutely incredible!

I've been using Photoshop since v3 and the clone tool is something I've overlooked  :o
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: newbie on Saturday 09 October 04 22:02 BST (UK)
Zeb,
Fitty and I have been trying to post a new image that she has repaired but the board won't let us, I've notified Trystan but had no response.
Newbie
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Zeb on Saturday 09 October 04 22:19 BST (UK)
When replying there's a line below where I'm typing this now that reads "Additional Options..." with a black arrow.  Click on it to reveal some stuff.

The two "Browse..." buttons allow you to add two files at a time as attachments to your message.  If you're doing this already then the only reason I can think of that they're not showing is because maybe they're too big?  There's a limit of 300KB and there's also a list of file types that are permitted.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: newbie on Saturday 09 October 04 22:23 BST (UK)
Hi Zeb,
Yes I was doing all of that, and the image size was reduced for file size, it just kept saying the upload file was full and to refer to a moderator! It can't just be me because Fitty was getting the same message and she is whizz at the techy stuff, you should see what she's done to the photograph since I sent her the higher resolution scan, - amazing.
Newbie
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Fitty on Saturday 09 October 04 22:24 BST (UK)
Zeb,  The web Cache is full and untill Trystan gets back we can't post pics till he clears it.

He's busy moving house, so we've got to be a little patient.   He's probably lost in bubble wrap or somthing  lol
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Zeb on Sunday 10 October 04 13:05 BST (UK)
I've PM'd you my email - send me a copy, I'll upload it onto my web space and provide a link to click on.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Fitty on Sunday 10 October 04 17:08 BST (UK)
Thats very good of you Zeb,  I have my own webspace but don't really want to post the pic untill i have Newbies permission to do so.

Thanks anyway

Fitty
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Zeb on Sunday 10 October 04 17:21 BST (UK)
np;)
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Kazza on Friday 15 October 04 02:03 BST (UK)
The upload file size issue has now been addressed.  You should have no problem putting pictures on now.

Kazza.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Fitty on Friday 15 October 04 09:32 BST (UK)
Newbie posted the pic below to see if someone could do anything with it.  i tried but it wasn't very good so she emailed me one the was a higher resolution.

this is the result

Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: newbie on Friday 15 October 04 16:09 BST (UK)
Hi Fitty,
Thanx for posting the photo.
Doesn't it look good! I'm so pleased with it, thank you very much,
Newbie
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Kazza on Saturday 16 October 04 00:59 BST (UK)
Fitty,

that is a great result,  well done.  ;D

Kazza.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: kaja on Sunday 17 October 04 17:22 BST (UK)
hi everyone,

Downloading various photo programs has been mentioned.But you should be able to find a computer magazine or camera magazine with an accompanying CD.

You can then download from a small choice [usually] If the magazine has the CD it will also have a few pages of
how to do it.

Read the magazine while you are in the shop, look at examples then decide if you are going to buy it or not.

Don't worry about making mistakes as there is an undo option.

Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Fitty on Sunday 17 October 04 19:42 BST (UK)
I think PSP 5 is available as a free download. You'll also find it on some of the magazines that Kaja mentioned.  If you do decide to give it a try theres loads of Tutorials on the net.  just Google "PSP5 Photograph repair."
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Shanko on Monday 18 October 04 13:03 BST (UK)
If you want to get proper photographic copies done of any old photo that has been retouched make sure the image is scanned at a high resolution 300dpi - 400dpi. The image may look great on screen at 72 res but when you get it copied it will turn out very pixelly and blocky.

The higher the resolution the better quality the copy will be.
I thought youd want to know as yes like I said it looks great on screen then you get the proper copy done and your so disappointed in the poor quality

Another tip is save the file as 'tiff' file the quality is 100% better than a normal jpg, gif or bipmap

Have fun

Shanko
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Spotty on Sunday 24 October 04 13:47 BST (UK)
(http://www.81x.com/Authors/liverpool_lip/poor_pic_lady.jpg)

We have been away for a few days so I've only just seen this post.

I see others have done it but here is my attempt.  The higher resolution one is better than this but its fun to play!!
 :)
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Fitty on Sunday 24 October 04 14:40 BST (UK)
Great! Spotty and well done..  I love playing with old photos and trying to repair some of the damage thats been caused by creases and sratches.   It really is satisfying to see the end redult.

Just wish more members would post some for us to play with.


Fitty
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: newbie on Monday 25 October 04 06:36 BST (UK)
Hello Spotty
Thank you too, it's a great result.  I have some more!! ;D not quite as bad as that one
Newbie
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Kazza on Tuesday 26 October 04 18:14 BST (UK)
Newbie,

Post them,  you have some willing helpers here.  ;D

Kazza.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Lauraine on Wednesday 27 October 04 02:45 BST (UK)
Hi:

Had to jump in here.  This "dummie"  actually took a course on Photoshop Pro.  It was just so much fun and quite reasonable.  Unfortunately did not buy the program as was to use the one my son has at work to do some work for their Comany.  Still awaiting.  Can tell you that if you take the course in Canada at a Community College, can purchase it as a "student"  at a greatly reduced price  I had a very old picture of my mother as a child.  Cropped her head and did a head shot of her.  Was just so pleased with myself - for a change. 

HAD A BALL AT THIS COURSE.  MUCH FUN.  Lauraine
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: newbie on Wednesday 27 October 04 06:12 BST (UK)
Hi Lauraine,
I had looked into doing the course but over here (U.K.) it's quite expensive, but I have signed up for the New Year
Kazza - Okay then will dig them out and scan them,
Newbie :)
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: PeterSzewc on Wednesday 27 October 04 14:38 BST (UK)
Hi everyone, if you would like to try out some software that is comparable to Photoshop, PaintShop Pro by Jasc is quite good. They have a trial period and it contains all the tools you need to make repairs.

Give it a go.

http://www.jasc.com/products/paintshoppro/psptrialreg.asp

Cheers, Peter.
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: tallted on Thursday 17 March 05 21:23 GMT (UK)
HI Amy,
Take a look at photo colourising on this board.  Look under tall ted I repaired atorn pic and adjusted the image.
So if I can do it so can you.  If you dont have the time scan it at about 1000 to 1200 if it is under 8x10 and send it to me I will try and repair it for you.  Let me know by personal message and I will give you my email.
This board only allows for low resolution picx which are hard to repair.
TEd
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: deadants on Wednesday 20 April 05 09:52 BST (UK)
I have an old photograph of my granddad and his sisters. Will I be able to repair it myself digitally or will I need a "professional"?

Here's a before and after of a photo posted by AmyK some time ago. Quite  a few people have had a go at this one, so I thought I would have a go as well. It looks like the original is now very fragile and has been rescued just in time.

deadants
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: zoe_Wiccalo on Thursday 23 July 20 00:36 BST (UK)

[size=78%]had to drag this post up this photo tests all the skills in my toolbox![/size]
(https://artofzw.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/1/3/131366875/the-webber-children_orig.jpg)
(https://artofzw.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/1/3/131366875/the-webber-children-111_orig.jpg)
(https://artofzw.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/1/3/131366875/the-webber-children-ba_orig.jpg)
Title: Re: How to repair an old photograph?
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 23 July 20 15:33 BST (UK)
From 2004  ???...the original poster hasn't been on Rootschat for 8 years!
Carol