JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

Elad, First, thank you for your service; I was about ten years ahead of years ahead of you.

Recently was able to restore an early '30's picture of my father using several tools in PSE 14; it was more of a blending and shadows fix. Depending upon how much repairing you need, it may be enough. Just be sure to scan and store an original --just in case!😁

Good luck and take your time; it isn't a thick process.

aam421

Thank goodness, you got the photos returned! If I were you, I would have them scanned professionally. Camera stores have the high quality scanners that put out the best that can be done on the photo and it’s a lot faster. I would estimate $280. I just had a bunch of old photos and negatives done at Mike’s Camera here in Denver.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

There is no program that you can plug a photo in and have it restore the image. It takes time and patience and allot of manual work. I use Photoshop and have done many restoration projects. You can check out one of my posts here; https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-525127-1.html. You can also visit my website which you can find under my UHH profile and have a look at my restoration gallery.

400 images is a ton of work depending on the severity of the damage. Maybe start with your favorite 10 images and see how it goes. Your welcome to PM me if you have questions.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

As Malard said in a previous reply, it isn't a quick process, and it depends to a great deal upon the condition of the picture you are trying to "restore". That said I was recently able to repair (mostly scratches and shadows) of a picture of my father on his sailboat taken in the mid-1930's using the various tools in PSE14. I am by no means an expert, but the results were good enough for use as a subject for new photos.

If you want to try this more simple procedure, first make TWO scanned copies of the original; store one in a safe file (just "incase) and use the second as your working copy. Enlarge it until you see pixels and then back out until they are not visible. You don't want to accidentally remove something you think is 'noise'. Then study the scanned working copy and decide what part(s) to fix and in what order. I try to do the easy things first so they don't interfere with your vision of the more difficult behind them. I'd also list the things you want to fix or remove in a workable order. Original and "fixed" attached.

tommystrat Loc: Bigfork, Montana

Thank you for your service. God bless you!

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

[quote=JCam]As Malard said in a previous reply, it isn't a quick process, and it depends to a great deal upon the condition of the picture you are trying to "restore". That said I was recently able to repair (mostly scratches and reducing shadows using the various tools in PSE14) a picture of my father rigging his sailboat for a race. I am by no means an expert, but the results were good enough for use as a subject for new photos. The original was taken in the mid-1930's by a NYC professional model photographer ( Mr. Paul Morris).

If you want to try this more simple procedure, first make TWO scanned copies of the original, a good fax will suffice. Store one in a safe file (just "in-case) and use the second as your working copy. Enlarge it until you see pixels and then back out until they are not visible. You don't want to accidentally remove something you think is 'noise'. Then study the scanned working copy and decide what part(s) to fix and in what order. My aim in this project was to maintain the aged +/- 85 year old sepia type photo.

I try to do the easy things first so they don't interfere with your vision of the more difficult behind them. If you haven't used layers, get a copy of a recent PSE program I think 19 was released in November and read the Layers Instructions or guides on using layers. PSE will create them as needed, but you will need information on understanding and working with them. I hope it works for you and if it is below your present skill level, I apologize.

Jim

mp97070 Loc: Central Oregon

There is restoration software available from Vivid-Pix and it has a free trial. I don’t have this program, but I do have their software for underwater pictures. If their restoration software is like the underwater software, it works very well for minor adjustments, and is quick and easy.

Since it has a free trial, might see if it can handle what you need.


https://www.vivid-pix.com/

scsdesphotography Loc: Southeastern Michigan

Hi Elad, if your pics are of huge historic interest then you may want to follow the more sophisticated methods suggested here. Otherwise if they're like the hundreds of family and friends photos I've restored over the years, mostly Polaroids, 35 mm, and basic Kodak snapshots, then all you need is a reasonable quality scanner (I use the one on my hp Officejet Pro 8600) and Photoshop Elements. I am constantly amazed how well an aged and abused photo can be restored using a few simple filters and auto smartfix.

Are your photos prints, slides or negatives? Slides and negatives require a more specialize approach. I'll assume, since you didn't say, that we're dealing with prints.

First step is to scan the prints in at 600 dpi, this will give you a digital file large enough for restoration work. This is also the slow part and a fun way to spend several snowy evenings at home.

Next open the file in PSE. Go to filters, select Noise, Dust and scratch. This is an adjustable tool, move the slider until most of the imperfections disappear without adversely affecting the quality of the image.

Finally go to the enhance menu and click auto smartfix. That's it, for most of your photos you won't have to do anything else. For more serious damage use the other tools, such as the clone stamp tool and the healing brush too, to manually repair the pic. Workflow wise repair as much damage as you can and then use smartfix.

PSE has a lot of other tools that you may want to use for more seriously abused images, but I'm guessing the basic procedure I've outlined will work for most of your collection. It is enjoyable to take a faded, scratched, water damaged print and make it look new.

P.S. I am curious, since you were a sniper and therefore I gather rather stealthy, what did you take pics of and what sort of camera did you use?

ELNikkor

Scan them all and get backed-up digital files in your hands first! (After losing them and getting them back at last, it would be the ultimate drag to have them lost again.) Best if you can do as many as possible "in-house". Only after trying all of them should you go "outside" for those you couldn't do with all the amazing programs there are out there.

howIseeit Loc: Kootenays, BC Canada

Thanks Jerry, I to was looking for info on this subject and You covered sources well and as allways quick!

edelberman

Hello, Elad 1692!

Thank you for your service.

I am an admirer of our military and will try to help. Recently I have been restoring photographs of my family most of whom were murdered in 1941 by the Nazis. I have been learning Photoshop and have been doing a creditable job with restoration. Learning Photoshop is a major undertaking and I do not advise it just to do the restoration.

If you send me 10 of the images, I will restore them and you can judge how I am doing. If I do well, I will do more. No charge, of course. I live near Philadelphia, PA and you can send the images by mail.

Edel Berman

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

I have used Photoshop Elements for restoration. The first shot is the original from my mother's picture as scanned. Second is with corrections. Does still have a blue cast as was taken in the shade of the porch.

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GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

You might consider looking into many of the military groups out there. They provude a wealth of information. I'm pretty sure someone might even fix the ones you have for free or very cheap.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Thank you for your service

As a VET, I can relate to you situation.

I have been doing restoration work for many years. Before giving you any advice, I would be interested in knowing what the issues are (extent of damage etc.) with your photographs.

There are some issues that can be successfully remedied at home with a simple copying setup and a few filters or scanned images can be corrected in PhotoShop or other software.

If you have a moment, coud you scan or make a quick shots of a few of the more seriously damaged ones and post them.

Let me know what the problems are such as stains, cracks, missing emulsion, fading, yellowing or wahtever.

Good luck with your project.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Here is my attempt. Let me know if you want to email a few for me to try, no charge for a fellow veteran.

soda

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