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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Photograph Resources, Tips, Tutorials => Topic started by: bagpuss1971 on Wednesday 01 June 16 11:00 BST (UK)

Title: advice needed - Gimp help !
Post by: bagpuss1971 on Wednesday 01 June 16 11:00 BST (UK)
 :) Sorry if this is in the wrong place.

I am trying to restore an old photo of my Grandad in army uniform, a black and white head and shoulder picture. I am using Gimp 2. I am new to both restoration and Gimp and I am really enjoying it.
On this photo there is a large area (chin and part cheek) that seems to have been water damaged. I am trying to match the skin tone and texture up but I can't seem to make it look right.
Any suggestions on the tool and settings for this type of job would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
bagpuss  :)
Title: Re: advice needed - Gimp help !
Post by: sarah on Wednesday 01 June 16 11:48 BST (UK)
Hi Bagpuss,

My choice would be the clone tool

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-the-Clone-Tool-in-Gimp

Use a small soft brush tool at about 60-70% opacity and hopefully this will the trick for you.

Regards

Sarah
Title: Re: advice needed - Gimp help !
Post by: bagpuss1971 on Wednesday 01 June 16 13:02 BST (UK)
 Hello and thank you Sarah,

I think that has solved the problem, I was using a larger brush and I didn't think to change opacity.
I have only done a small area but it certainly looks a lot more natural than my previous attempts!

bagpuss :)
Title: Re: advice needed - Gimp help !
Post by: sarah on Wednesday 01 June 16 13:47 BST (UK)
You are very welcome Bagpuss.

I normally do the clone on a "new layer" you can also mess about with the layer opacity to see if this improves things for the better.

Sarah
Title: Re: advice needed - Gimp help !
Post by: bagpuss1971 on Wednesday 01 June 16 16:23 BST (UK)
Thank you again Sarah - I have just reduced the layer capacity slightly and it seems to have blended in even better. I wondered what that was for!

bagpuss  :)
Title: Re: advice needed - Gimp help !
Post by: Betty19 on Saturday 18 June 16 11:50 BST (UK)
Hi wondered if anyone can help,
I am about to be e-mailed a photograph of a little lad who died in 1941 , it is a very precious picture, as there are very few if any of him.
The little lad died while he was evacuated and after a lot of fantastic help from ladies in the local community where he was billeted to during the war to we have been able to locate his grave.
The local church is running an article in the parish newsletter as the story is so touching.
To add a picture would really bring  his story to life . I know the picture is not going to be very clear , but as yet not sure of the condition .
Is it possible that the image can be enhanced from an e-mail

Any help from you wonderful people on roots chat would be fantastic

thank you
Title: Re: advice needed - Gimp help !
Post by: stevew101 on Saturday 18 June 16 11:56 BST (UK)
Hi Betty,

Once you receive the email.  Save the picture to your PC.

Then you can start a new post on here and attach the picture. Ask for the picture to be restored

There are a lot of talented people on here that will have a go for you

Best Wishes
Steve
Title: Re: advice needed - Gimp help !
Post by: Betty19 on Saturday 18 June 16 12:15 BST (UK)
Hi Steve,
Thanks, fantastic I will do just that, I am so looking forward to seeing him myself, after all the searching.

Kind Regards Rosemary