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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: isitdust on Friday 09 February 07 21:43 GMT (UK)
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Hello
Would some kind sole please see what they can do to salvage this photograph of Me and my Uncle
Many many thank you's in anticipation
Best regards
Peter
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Hi Peter,
Poor old photo :( :( :( At least it was not burnt completely :)
Do you have the photo in your possession? There are a few things you can try to clean the surface soot off it, if you'd like to have a go. Let me know and I'll explain them to you. (I'm a qualified photograph conservator so I won't tell you to do anything that will destroy your pic, don't worry! ;) )
Prue
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Hello Prue
I do have the photo
Yes it used to have pride and place on mantle over the fireplace in my Gran's home
Unfortunately she and the family were very heavy smokers
Yes Please I am willing to try what you suggest - many thanks
Best regards
Peter
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OK, first thing is to be very gentle! You don't need to apply pressure to get these techniques to work. Don't do anything if the picture appears very dry and flaky - you might lose the surface altogether.
1. Using a very soft brush (like a blusher-brush or a very soft chinese calligraphy brush), start in the middle of the picture and brush gently outwards using short strokes. This will get off any loose surface dust etc.
2. Take a cotton wool ball and using the same technique, move it over the photo. If it's picking up any dirt etc. you will be able to see it on the cotton wool.
3. Rinse your mouth out very well using water and a toothbrush (but no toothpaste). Take a cotton bud/Q-tip and stick one end in your mouth to get a bit of spit on it. Start at an outer corner of the photo - hold the cotton bud at as low an angle as you can (i.e. as flat to the photo as possible) and roll it back and forth across the photo. As the cotton becomes dirty, start with a new one.
Hopefully this should help it come up a bit cleaner! If you do try any or all of these techniques, let me know if you have any success.
Cheers
Prue
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Here's a quick lighten up (untouched otherwise) to show everyone what the content is 8)
Mudge
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Actually (before Poll has a go at me again ;D ;D ;D) this is it :o :o :o
Mudge
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Hello Prue and Mudge
Thank you to both of you for what you have done
Will clean the photo and rescan
Thanks again - I have great admiration for what you guys can acheive
Best regards
Peter
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Hello Prue
Did as you suggested BUT I'm afraid apart from removing a lot of muck the image is still the same and some of the photo has flaked away - fortunately around the edges
It is now upto some one to see if they can improve the image digitally
Best regards
Peter
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Hi Peter,
Sorry the picture didn't clean up particularly well, but at least it got off alot of dirt etc. I suspect that the picture has actually been chemically changed and it will never look like it did originally :(
Prue
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Hi Peter,
Best regards George
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It's difficult to see the middle of the picture Peter but I've had a stab at it.
If nobody gets it any better, I do have it in a bigger size.
Jean
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I've given you a bit of a haircut Peter......I suppose only you know what it was like at the time.
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here is my humble attempt.
Harry
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Hello Peter ... Here are a couple of versions for you .. I have had to "paint in some parts that were completely missing so that you may feel it isn't really a restoration in the true sense of the word .. Luckily the faces weren't too difficult to clean up so I hope the likeness is still true .. These versions are NOT big enough to print ie they are only 3x4 cms in reality. I f you think you would want a copy of any to frame please pm me asap with your email addy and I will send them to you ,.. I have a couple of versions at 7x5 ..
Poll :)
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To All
Many many tank you's for the effort put in
The likenesses are amazing
The fact that something has been salvaged from such a blacken photo is incredible
I have since taken a very good look at both th original I cleaned up and th copies on here - especially the quick lighten up done by Mudge - if you look very closely you will see I am holding an Icecream cone with a ball of ice cream and a slice of wafer biscuit stuck into it
Would be nice to see this restored
Again many expressions of thanks go out to you all
Best regards
Peter
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And the second version..
Poll :)
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Did you want a flake in it too? ??? I couldnt make out the wafer i'm afraid ! ::)
Poll :)
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Poll, that's lovely.......thought it was just his finger ??? ???
Jean
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very good polly :)