magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Some of you may recall that I collect old negatives. These are the images I make an exception for regards my rule of not playing with other folks images. This is one I particularly like as paddle steamers were once a common sight around the bit of coast close to our home. At Lulworth Cove passengers originally had to disembark into small boats and were then rowed ashore. Later the hulls were reinforced so that the paddle steamer could simply ram the shore and drop a gangway that allowed passengers to trip their way down onto terra firma. The image here is unlikely to be Lulworth, or anywhere local, as I am unable to identify the boat at the moment. Nevertheless, the detail of unloading passengers is very thoroughly shown and the passengers look wonderfully 'turn of century' in their Sunday Best, soI would like to make a decent effort to restore it. The big question is, how far to go? Replacing the sea and sky is, I reckon, the only way forward as the deterioration of the emulsion is so bad, and is not a difficult task. I haven't used any of the newer selection tools in Ps to do it, just a simple selection of the key elements. I could leave it at that (after I restore the missing lady in the bottom right boat to her rightful place) but I would like some better detail on both the steamer and the small boats - but I don't know that I have the patience. What would you do, and have you got any ideas as to how to go about it?

Original Scan

(Download)

Replaced Sea & Sky

(Download)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Nice work!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thank you.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

A fascinating hobby, Dave! Have you been collecting since before you grew your PS skills so expertly?

I have no experience nor ideas about restoration. There have been a few topics, both in main discussion and PP Forum, if you're looking for fellow UHH guidance.

The scene and historical context are really marvelous, as you suggest. I can't help but think the original has a "playfully" processed look already - in a good way, of course

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Yes, started pre Ps interest Linda. Not so much about nowadays, at least, at a reasonable price that is! Scanning and cataloging is very time consuming, and one has to take care with storage too. I was fortunate to find a guy whose wife inherited a large amount of press negatives, that he was determined to sell off. Some good historic stuff, all glass negs. I have posted some restoration work on UHH previously, not sure which section though, probably FYC.
I see what you mean regards ‘playful processing’. Unfortunately it isn’t!

tcthome Loc: NJ

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

More excellent work, David!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

👍thank you.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks Mike.

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

Old photo restoration is an area of interest for me right now, and I have been studying methods and techniques for some time.

A problem I have that you apparently do not is whether to use significant amounts of AI rather than just using it in small localized areas to mimic surroundings as much as possible. At first, I marveled at how you eliminated the noise and tiny speckles until I realized that you used sky replacement and some sort of water replacement also. There is nothing wrong with that, don't misunderstand, it is just not what I am trying to do, which is to restore an image to as close to its original state as possible.

The so-called Remove tool in later versions of Photoshop is fantastic, except that it seems to be broken right now. At some time a couple of updates ago it started to use massive amounts of ram, more than all but a few machines would be capable of, ( I have 64GB) and an out-of-memory warning was the result. There are conversations on the Adobe help forums but so far I haven't seen a solution except to roll back (which I haven't tried.) I think Adobe is aware of this and it seems to be cross-platform, but the last two dot updates didn't fix it.

Generative Fill can be carefully utilized in small areas and will maintain more of the look of the surrounding areas. as in the water, but if you lack patience, that may not be the way to go. It will take a long time.

What would I do? I would probably work on something that was this damaged a little at a time, piece by piece, doing one small area at a time. Once done, it might be a masterpiece or a blurry mess, it's hard to say;
but I would soldier on. I think this is a great old picture.

For me it's about learning the process.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

The only AI used is that built into Ps selection tools Terry, the sky and sea are a single image of my own taking. I initially tried some healing but the entire emulsion has black spots all over and whilst I could get shot of the larger white blotch areas, the black spots repeated.
At present I’m happy to stick with the replaced sky and sea. Next I’ll try to develope a method of cloning for the detail I would like to correct. For that I’ll make small selections and work within them. I’m certainly not short of patience - I worry more that my time will end up wasted but I’ll see how the initial cloning goes. Your suggested ‘small bites’ method is how I’m used to working with large composites so I have no problem with that. Many thanks for your comments and suggestions.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Job well done.

lnl Loc: SWFL

Great job on the sea and sky, Dave. It may just be me, but the second one appears exposure was increased. I like the boats and people in the original a bit better. But it may be blurred vision on my part.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

No, it’s definitely a bit different and requires some adjustment Ellen, I also much prefer the contrast and exposure of the first image.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks sippy. A bit to do yet.