I want to learn Photo Restoration - Guidance needed

[cornishpasty]

I have decided that I would like to learn how to do Photo Restoration and have come to the experts for help . 

I have read a number of relevant posts but I am confused and haven't a clue where to start.  Can someone please give me the A - Z of which links I should use and tell me what to read and digest first?  Thanks heaps.

Hugs
CP

[cazza59]

Hi CP

What software do you have?

Caz

[cornishpasty]

Hi Cazza,

Software?   I have nothing related to Photo Restoration - will I need to buy software for this?  Remember, I haven't a clue - ROFL - so please tell me anything I need to purchase etc. etc.

Thanks Cazza

Hugs
CP

[dennford]

Do you have unlimited funds?
No joking though, but photo' restoration can be very expensive with some software costing more than your computer. However, it can also cost nothing - restorers on here vary much; not only in the cost of thier equipment but in the particular software that each prefers and most importantly how much time they spend restoring photo's.

                                            Denn

[dennford]

Sorry, I got distracted by a phone call.

Before you go buying software, I would download one of the freeware photo' editing prog's that are available and spend a while using that.

Almost all photo editing consists of a combination of six operations

1    Cloning

2    Copying

3    Pasting

4    Erasing

5    pasting

6    resizing

With the help of rootschatters you will get the hang of these operations in no time. Then believe me the rest flows on from there: Okay some people find it more difficult than others but at least give it a go.

I'm off to search the net for freeware editing stuff.

                                          Denn

[cazza59]

Hi MP

Right, so now we know where to start from LOL.

Try googling GIMP, it's a free software editing program.  Also check your own PC, most PC's these days come with a photo editing software of some description.

Also, if you go to the Photoshop website you can download a trial version of Photoshop Elements that you can use for 30 days (I think).  That way you can see if you are going to enjoy it or not and have a play with all the menus etc to familiarise yourself with editing software.

 Once you've got some software...you can learn the first steps, basically the Godsend of photo restore...the clone tool!   

Caz

[dennford]

No! rather than search the net for freeware - a list of which will only serve to confuse you - and we don't want to do that -YET

I shall for the time being suggest one programme that you can download for a months free trial.

There are three programmes that I guess would cover what the bigger portion of rootschatters use.

1   Photoshop (my own personal choice of prog') is a full blown complex and expensive programme. It is aimed at many proffessional fields, but some of us amateurs like to think we can use it.

2   Paint shop pro is Jascos answer to photoshop. Not as popular but still a very good prog' and used by several rootschatters.

3   Photoshop elements. A scaled down (only very slightly) version of photoshop that is much easier to use, and, it is available on a one month trial download (link below). Then if you do wish to buy it, you will be pleased to know that it is only but a fraction of the cost of it's big brother - Photoshop.

30 day trial of photoshop elements  
http://www.download.com/Adobe-Photoshop-Elements/3000-2192_4-10057110.html

                                                   Denn

[cornishpasty]

Hi Denn,

No mate, I don't have unlimited funds - don't even have funds ROFL - In my dreams

Thanks for that and I am looking forward to all the advice I can get because I desperately want to learn Photo Restoration.

Hugs
CP

[cornishpasty]

Caz,

Thanks for the information.  I will have to print up all this advice and go through it carefully.  I will definitely check out my PC's photo editing thingys and see what I can find.

I will definitely have to start from scratch so I guess I have lots of reading matter to keep me out of mischief.  

Looking forward to all this valuable helpful advice.

Thanks

Hugs
CP