StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Back in 2014 I found this 8x10 wet print that I had stored away in a box of old negatives and prints and I scanned it then on my Epson V500. In my college days, I was getting started in the photography hobby and did my own film developing and printing in a darkroom set up in a closet in my apartment. I took the photo in the late 60s with my newly acquired YashicaMat. I don't remember the film, but it was probably Tri-X. As you can see, the print looks like an amateur's feeble attempt at a professional studio portrait. I had borrowed a friend's cheap photofloods (you remember those that looked like a light bulb in a stamped aluminum reflector - we call them work lights these days?) and backdrop paper roll.

I ran across the scanned file a few days ago while going through my old image files and thought I'd try to dress it up in Paint Shop Pro. The first image is the original scan of the print. The second image is with some work done to reduce the contrast and soften the harsh lines and details in the image. I think it's a dramatic difference in the outcome, even if a bit overly soft. I may try to reduce the softness a bit on next try.

The subject is my first wife, Pat. I sent the edited photo to her to put in her memory file (yes, we are on good terms after parting ways 40 years ago). She was pleased to get it.

I'm just posting this to show what one can do with old photos and modern photo-editing tools. Comments, please?

Pat

(Download)

Pat - First Portrait

(Download)

pumakat

What a difference!

cabunit Loc: SE Connecticut

What fun to find our old efforts and work on them with today's tech! (Doing just that with my old slides.) Yes, I'm afraid "overly soft" is the operative phrase on your rework, to the point where it's too distracting for me to enjoy. But if you can solve that, do post again. Cheers!

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Number 2 is way too soft.

rcarol

Agree, too soft.

TBerwick Loc: Houston, Texas

#2 is an improvement in that the harshness of the light was improved, but it's gone too soft. You're on the right track.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nice

Mister H Loc: Michigan

Like number 1 the best.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Number one much nicer!

Feiertag Loc: British Columbia, Canada

The original is much better. The second one, hurts my eyes because it is blurry, not soft as you intended to be.

Abo

From the first image (the second is hopeless), the look on
the womans face says it all... "This goomer is a loser, and the
sooner I get rid of it the better."

Find yourself bud, happen to
the world, instead of the world happening to you.

My rude comment is meant to help you.

Best wishes,

Alan.