Restoration problem: I have been trying to fix / restore the attached photo to print a book for the kids. It was taken in the mid 70’s with a Nikon F3 and a 105 mm lens. I do not know...

Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum

Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register ☰

Restoration problem

Page 1 of 6 next> last>>

Mar 7, 2022 12:15:31 #

Tom Kiernan Loc: S.E. Arizona

I have been trying to fix / restore the attached photo to print a book for the kids. It was taken in the mid 70’s with a Nikon F3 and a 105 mm lens. I do not know the settings or other data. It was recently scanned from the negative, Kodak Gold film. Several other negatives from the same period have also faded even though they all were stores in sleeves in a closed box. The scan was at 2400. I tried to fix it with PSE and also Affinity with no real progress. Is there any way to restore it or is it lacking the parameters due to the scan?

(Download)

Mar 7, 2022 12:21:33 #

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

This seems like the PSE edit. Can you create a reply and add the original from the scanner? (being sure to store the file)

Mar 7, 2022 12:41:07 #

therwol Loc: USA

CHG_CANON wrote:

This seems like the PSE edit. Can you create a reply and add the original from the scanner? (being sure to store the file)

Agree. Post the original scan to give others a fair crack at it.

Mar 7, 2022 14:41:21 #

Tom Kiernan Loc: S.E. Arizona

This is the earliest scanned version. I have misfiled the negative and when I locate it will scan again and send. Thanks.

(Download)

Mar 7, 2022 15:08:46 #

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I'm not going to say either of these are very good, but it does show what can be done in maybe 5 minutes in LR. There are better PS experts here who can explain the PS / PSE process of removing a color cast. Your high resolution scan gives you lots of pixels to edit and crop for a better composition. I didn't click-thru the image to remove the dust specs, but that work is a must for whatever you end up with via the edited scan. The really 'wonked' negatives might go better with a B&W conversion after you've done your best to recover the colored version.

If your scanner has a 'color restoration' setting, see if 'y' gives a better result from the scanner.

(Download)

B&W conversion with 'yellow' filter and then edited

(Download)

Mar 7, 2022 16:02:14 #

Tom Kiernan Loc: S.E. Arizona

Thanks for the tips. Meanwhile I continue the search for the negative.

Mar 7, 2022 16:12:45 #

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

CHG_CANON wrote:

I'm not going to say either of these are very good... (show quote)

I think you coerced great results for the image 💫💫💫💫💫

Mar 7, 2022 17:13:17 #

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I would be very happy with what you have. From the 70s to 2022! I would be tickled pink with it! As is!!

Mar 7, 2022 17:53:35 #

Tom Kiernan Loc: S.E. Arizona

Retired CPO wrote:

I would be very happy with what you have. From the 70s to 2022! I would be tickled pink with it! As is!!

I am very happy with it and need to learn how to do it. Never had to do much in photo software but the time to learn is now!

Mar 7, 2022 21:20:06 #

therwol Loc: USA

CHG_CANON wrote:

I'm not going to say either of these are very good... (show quote)

Let me show you what I did. I have used the feature that restores faded colors in the software that came with my scanner. I have struggled in Lightroom with faded color photos. I have found that the best "One Stop Shop" for restoring faded color originals is Vuescan. (You have to pay for the professional version to get this feature.) Vuescan can not only work as scanner software, it can work with files. This also took me about 5 minutes. The image also benefits from a slight increase in brightness and a slight reduction in green. See the screenshots after the improved picture.