Blurry portraits
Jan 10, 2022 10:18:31 #
[quote=sodapop]Sorry I did not make myself clear. I restore old photos of people taken years ago. They are blurry when I get them and I have no control over how they were taken since the photographer in many cases is dead and gone. I am attaching a before and after that someone fixed, and I hope to find out how it was done. Neither Topaz Ai Sharpen or deniose come close nor does Photoshop. (Maybe I am doing something wrong?) Please help and thank you for your replies[/quote
I'm fairly sure this was done using a smartphone application called Remini. It was demonstrated on the Piximperfect website about 6 months ago. Results vary from image to image. In reality it is not actually sharpening your image but substitues a sharper nose or a sharper mouth or sharper eyes from a data base they have compiled. That is why results will vary.
I'm fairly sure this was done using a smartphone application called Remini. It was demonstrated on the Piximperfect website about 6 months ago. Results vary from image to image. In reality it is not actually sharpening your image but substitues a sharper nose or a sharper mouth or sharper eyes from a data base they have compiled. That is why results will vary.
Jan 10, 2022 10:19:30 #
Jan 10, 2022 10:23:19 #
[quote=rcarol][quote=sodapop]Sorry I did not make myself clear. I restore old photos of people taken years ago. They are blurry when I get them and I have no control over how they were taken since the photographer in many cases is dead and gone. I am attaching a before and after that someone fixed, and I hope to find out how it was done. Neither Topaz Ai Sharpen or deniose come close nor does Photoshop. (Maybe I am doing something wrong?) Please help and thank you for your replies[/quote
I'm fairly sure this was done using a smartphone application called Remini. It was demonstrated on the Piximperfect website about 6 months ago. Results vary from image to image. In reality it is not actually sharpenenin your image but substitues a sharper nose or a sharper mouth or sharper eyes from a data base they have compiled. That is why results will vary.[/quote]
Thank you, that was what was used.
I'm fairly sure this was done using a smartphone application called Remini. It was demonstrated on the Piximperfect website about 6 months ago. Results vary from image to image. In reality it is not actually sharpenenin your image but substitues a sharper nose or a sharper mouth or sharper eyes from a data base they have compiled. That is why results will vary.[/quote]
Thank you, that was what was used.
Jan 10, 2022 10:40:29 #
An educated guess: I am 95% sure that the posted restoration was NOT done digitally but by handwork with airbrush application, dyes and paints. It is the old-school way of photo-restoration where the original is copied, a workprint is produced in a lower contrast, and the detail, damages, or our of focus images are addressed, added in and/or "sharpened" with an airbrush, dyes applied, with brushes or various opaque paints. The image is virtually repainted. The workprint is copied and prints ace can be made where the surface work does not show.
My guesses are based on the look of the contours of the face and the detail of the embroidery on the clothing. To me, it is very reminiscent of the airbrush and painted in look.
The other 5%? I am very familiar with the aforementioned method because this was routine back in the day. At my studio, our retoucher would do the work using the mentioned materials and methods.
There is a possibility that a similar effect can be done digitally as an offshoot of digital art whereby the original image is used as a basis and all the detail is restored by expert computerized manipulation.
Whatever the method was, it was very nicely applied and the effect is outstanding to compare it to the original. I don't know of any software that can do that automatically- if it exists, I want it! I am sure there is some kind of image-enhancing software that is used to sharpen aerial mapping images for military and cartographic use but I don't know of anything that can reconstruct a face without a skilled artist or operator at the controls. The image is sharpened and the LIKENESS of the subject is retained- that is not always an easy chore!
My guesses are based on the look of the contours of the face and the detail of the embroidery on the clothing. To me, it is very reminiscent of the airbrush and painted in look.
The other 5%? I am very familiar with the aforementioned method because this was routine back in the day. At my studio, our retoucher would do the work using the mentioned materials and methods.
There is a possibility that a similar effect can be done digitally as an offshoot of digital art whereby the original image is used as a basis and all the detail is restored by expert computerized manipulation.
Whatever the method was, it was very nicely applied and the effect is outstanding to compare it to the original. I don't know of any software that can do that automatically- if it exists, I want it! I am sure there is some kind of image-enhancing software that is used to sharpen aerial mapping images for military and cartographic use but I don't know of anything that can reconstruct a face without a skilled artist or operator at the controls. The image is sharpened and the LIKENESS of the subject is retained- that is not always an easy chore!
Jan 10, 2022 11:06:51 #
Jan 10, 2022 11:08:49 #
I think your friend works for the NSA and that's why he can't tell you what software he used?
Jan 10, 2022 12:22:02 #
sodapop wrote:
Tell me how I can reshoot a photo that was taken in 1920?
That is NOT what I am saying. I don't see how the example posted from such a blur to a sharp image could be done. You must mean 2020, there was no color photography like that in 1920. Yes, we can edit our posts on the UHH for up to an hour. Go back and read my earlier post. You are likely the only one who saw my original version. And I nearly immediately felt it was inappropriate as well. Go back and read what is there now. I constantly proofread and look at others further comments and those of others that may see another spin. I have done a number of restorations but not due to motion or out of focus blur. I am not sure what the noise remnant is in the before pic. Looks like one is looking through textured vinyl or cloth fabric. Very odd. Perhaps some UHH member is familiar with all of this and can explain it to all of us.
Jan 10, 2022 13:00:03 #
sodapop wrote:
Got an answer. Rememi was the program they used. Any one care to comment?
Don’t know that app, but clearly (ooooh, pun!) it must involve major AI.
Here’s what puzzles me, even imagining incredible AI:
The marks on her teeth, presumably from braces, are not at all evident in the blurry version. Super duper AI may “know” what a sharp image of this subject type should look like, but how would it know to put the marks on her teeth ?!?
Jan 10, 2022 13:09:16 #
User ID wrote:
Don’t know that app, but clearly (ooooh, pun!) it must involve major AI.
Here’s what puzzles me, even imagining incredible AI:
The marks on her teeth, presumably from braces, are not at all evident in the blurry version. Super duper AI may “know” what a sharp image of this subject type should look like, but how would it know to put the marks on her teeth ?!?
Here’s what puzzles me, even imagining incredible AI:
The marks on her teeth, presumably from braces, are not at all evident in the blurry version. Super duper AI may “know” what a sharp image of this subject type should look like, but how would it know to put the marks on her teeth ?!?
Twilight Zone stuff....
Jan 10, 2022 13:10:56 #
rcarol wrote:
I'm fairly sure this was done using a smartphone application called Remini. It was demonstrated on the Piximperfect website about 6 months ago. Results vary from image to image. In reality it is not actually sharpening your image but substitues a sharper nose or a sharper mouth or sharper eyes from a data base they have compiled. That is why results will vary.
I'm fairly sure this was done using a smartphone application called Remini. It was demonstrated on the Piximperfect website about 6 months ago. Results vary from image to image. In reality it is not actually sharpening your image but substitues a sharper nose or a sharper mouth or sharper eyes from a data base they have compiled. That is why results will vary.
I agree ... sort of. Substitution from stored “generic” image data is the only possible answer. On that we agree.
Now look at her teeth. How did Remini know to add those tell tale stains from orthodontic appliances ? That seems waaaay beyond AI. Thaz just spooky.
Jan 10, 2022 13:18:25 #
sodapop wrote:
In my original question I clearly stated that Topaz and photshop could not achieve this. Please read original statements more carefully.
That is very tough for a large portion of UHH people.
Jan 10, 2022 13:48:14 #
Jan 10, 2022 14:49:47 #
Since AI software is becoming more available, it seems evermore fewer people are interested in learning advanced editing skills... they all want easy, fast, one-click solutions. Which is unfortunate because advanced editing will always offer far greater possibilities than AI editing can give.
Jan 10, 2022 21:34:43 #
Color film became available in the 1930's. Kodak first introduced it in 1935. Before that black and white photos were hand painted in colors. I don't believe this photo was taken in the 1920's. It doesn't look like it was black and white painted with colors. The hairstyle and clothes looks more like the 1950's or later to me. As far as how it was done, I have no idea.
Jan 10, 2022 23:49:16 #
Bingo! A limit detective work paid off! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?
https://remini.ai/
A went to that Rimini Photo editor site on my Android phone and it was a test drive. I found one of my old intentionally soft-focus portraits and ran it through their basic free tryout. Attaced is the screenshots. Actually very impressive. This was a one-click job. Give it a try if you are interested. The free version is packed with ads so I suppose for a small fee you can subscribe to a Pro version. It seems that you can re-apply the sharpen tool for even sharper results.
It's a fun app that may prove to be a handy restoration tool.
https://remini.ai/
A went to that Rimini Photo editor site on my Android phone and it was a test drive. I found one of my old intentionally soft-focus portraits and ran it through their basic free tryout. Attaced is the screenshots. Actually very impressive. This was a one-click job. Give it a try if you are interested. The free version is packed with ads so I suppose for a small fee you can subscribe to a Pro version. It seems that you can re-apply the sharpen tool for even sharper results.
It's a fun app that may prove to be a handy restoration tool.
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