Photo
Restoration...
Did you know with today's technology it is possible
to restore just about any old photo to its original condition
without altering the original?
If
you want to try it yourself- here's how it is done.
For
an example, let's take an old faded and torn, color photograph,
a color scanner and a computer with a Photoshop program
(professional graphic software). Remember to save your work
frequently! Occasionally computers have a way of freezing
or crashing at the most inopportune time.
1)
Scan the photo using a flatbed scanner. The photo should
be carefully cleaned to remove dust and other unwanted artifacts
and the scanner surface needs to be free of dust as well.
This is especially crucial when "blowing up" or
enlarging a scanned image because the imperfections (dust
and scratches) are more noticeable when the image is larger.
2) Set the scale or size to 100% and the resolution to 300dpi
(dots per inch). If the photo is going to be enlarged, the
scale and dpi needs to set higher. (i.e. 200% at 600dpi).
3) Save the scanned image as a .psd (Photoshop file). I
always recommend making a copy of your original scanned
image as a back up.
4) Open with Photoshop, copy the layer (creates a copy which
is useful for comparisons of the original and finished image)
and adjust the color, brightness and contrast of the copied
image or layer. Photoshop has an Auto level function (found
under Image in the top menu) that automatically corrects
the image and usually works quite well. For novices, this
is an easy fix. But for the best results, most professionals
use the adjustment layers which allows complete control
and flexibility when making these changes.
5) Merge the copied layer and adjustment levels. (Creates
a new layer).
6) Select the "Stamping Tool" (found in the tool
bar) to fix the torn area. The function of this tool is
to select and copy another area of the photo that is similar
and paste it in place of the torn section. Depending on
the severity of the damaged photo, this step requires skill
and takes the most time.
7) Sharpen the layer using "Unsharpened Mask"
(located under Filter in the top menu). This helps to improve
the clarity of the image. A good place to start in this
procedure is to use a default setting of; Amount 50%, Radius
1.0 and Threshold 0. 8). Export or "Save as" your
final image as a Jpeg or Tiff and print.
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When
photo restoration is performed properly or by an experienced
professional, the results are simply amazing.
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Not
sure you want to try it yourself? Click on the links below
for online services that can help you restore and preserve
your memories.
Here's
more information on
Insuring Your Memories and More
on Photo Restoration
To
see before and after samples of Restored Photos,
click
here
