Darn ... I knew someone would ask me !!!!
1. Create a copy of the image (new layer)
2. Set blending mode to "Multiply" - Yes multiply ... this will actually DARKEN the image even more!!! The upside is that some of the "faded" detail (flat contrasty) will be brought out ...
3. Create a blank new layer at the top of the layer stack ...
4. While pressing ALT key got to Layer ... Merge Visible .. This will put the combined (multiplied) image into the previously blank new layer at the top of the layer stack ..
5. Make that combined layer active ..
Breather .... We now hav a multiplied layer at the top ... and two original image layers in 2 and 3rd position ...
6. Set the blending mode to "lighten" ... this will bring some more of the detail out ...
7. From the layer window ... Merge Down ... This combines the "lightened layer" and the second orig layer into one image ...
8. do some fine tuning with Shadow/highlight and levels and curves etc ... to this combined image ...
9. the tonal range should now be pretty good even with this original flat and dark image .. Not much we can do about the background being too dark ...
The real trick here is to recognise that starting with a flat tonal image does not give you a lot to work with ... By multiplying ... you actually go darker in a uniform sense at the pixel level and then use that as your starting point ...
Regards,
Gary Wilkinson
www.restoring-photos-made-easy.com
