Photo Restoration Project

[S. Horton]

A friend recently suffered a fire.

The only surviving photos of her parents together almost didn't make it.

In addition to a donation, we accepted the photo restoration project.

This is our first attempt at restoration, and includes steep CS3 learning curves.

Our current issue is how to increase the contrast without making the results go 'backwards'. Any advice greatly appreciated, as always!

Gallery:
http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/gallery/3201277/2/176486523

Two of the worst:
#1
http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/176485562-L-1.jpg

http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/176486393-L.jpg


#2
http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/176485737-L.jpg

http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/176486523-L.jpg

[nikos]

Our current issue is how to increase the contrast without making the results go 'backwards'. Any advice greatly appreciated, as always!



If you have CS3 and you want more contrast, I would suggest trying the brightness/contrast adjustment layer. It has been totally revamped for CS3 and it no longer blows highlights or clips shadows as did the older version.

If you want more control increasing the contrast in specific areas, then you should try using curves. I prefer going into Lab mode and working on the curves via an adjustment layer.

HTH,
NIkos

[S. Horton]

Curves in LAB color......... That I did not try. I'll give it a roll!

Thx for the tip on CS3 Brightness/Contrast; it is in my 'standard' layer set via actions but I avoid it because of what it did in CS2 -- I'll try that as well.

Thx!