Archive for the ‘photographic restoration techniques’ Category
Using patch versus content aware patch
March 22nd, 2013
I just spotted a video on Lynda.com, a very reliable on line resource for learning. It describes using the “patch” tool as a useful tool for repairing scratches, tears and damage.
There is no doubt this tool is a great tool. In this case i feel that using something just because its there, is not always a good idea.
The video suggests you let the “content aware” algorithm do the work for you. Setting the parameters from “very loose” to “very strict.” I tried this with one of my images with damage and each and every parameter tested gave me a poor result, where the patched damage took a darker tone. See the first video below for how Bryan suggest it should work.
When i used the standard method of the patch it worked better in every case. Feel free to use the Lynda method but I would suggest using just the patch on its own. I am sure that Bryan O’Neil Hughes was just trying to show us that there are other methods to use but sometimes leaving it alone is just as good. Here is my quick test to explain why i have never use this option.
I am sure that content aware patch has its place but i could not get it to work on my image and never use it. Sure i use content aware occasionally but even then and more often than not i have to correct it.
Posted in fix my photo, image restoration, photo repair, photo restoration, Photo restoration example, photo restoration videos, photograph restoration, photographic restoration techniques, photoshop, photoshop techniques, picture restoration, restoring old photographs, restoring old photos | 
Tags: content aware patch, cracks, creases, damage, fix, how to, marks, patch tool, photo restoration, photoshop, scratches, tutorial, video | 
2 Comments »
West Surrey Family History Society Open Day 2012
October 8th, 2012
Image-restore helping historians and genealogists with restoring photos will be attending the West Surrey Family History Society Open Day 2012 on November the 3rd at Woking Leisure center. Details below.
WSFHS OPEN DAY AND FAMILY HISTORY FAIR
Saturday 3rd November 2012
Woking Leisure Centre, Kingfield Rd, Woking, GU22 9BA - 10am – 4.30pm
Research Room (Hall 1)
Bring your research!
The times of the talks have now been announced:
Researching Your Railway Ancestors’ George Yalden 10.45am
Illegitimacy Valda Hudson 11.30am
20 + Years of Computer Corner Jeanne Bunting 12.15pm
Death Certificates Stephanie Monk 13.00pm
Getting the Most out of findmypast.co.uk Amy Sells 13.45pm
Your Country Needs You! Kitchener’s Volunteers
To Conscription to the Great War Capt. Graham Bandy 14.30pm
Wills and Probate London History Centre 15.15pm
STOP PRESS – IRISH RESEARCH HELP DESK WILL BE HERE
Bill Davis will be with us again this year to run his popular Help Desk on Irish Research. He has to leave at 3pm, so come down and see him early.
NEW FOR THIS OPEN DAY!
If you have Scottish ancestors and need some guidance on researching them, pay a visit to the Research Room (Hall 1) and don’t forget to bring your information with you!
SCOTTISH HELP DESK Dr. Ian Macdonald
Dr. Macdonald’s research has focused on the north-east area of Scotland – Aberdeenshire, Kincardine and Banff but he was born in Aberdeen, brought up in Dumfries and educated in Edinburgh. His own family covers a vast array of Scottish peasants so his expertise in Scottish research will benefit those looking for their Scottish roots.
Dr. Macdonald has an MSc in genealogical studies and is an online tutor for the post – graduate Certificate course at the University of Strathclyde. He writes on family history and publishes articles regularly.
The Aberdeen and North – East of Scotland FHS awarded him the 2008 Bruce Henderson award for family history writing and published his book – “The Alexanders of Bourtie 1696 – 1886”. Most recently he has been researching the notion that studying a single family can be a sound basis for gaining insight to general ideas such as the middle classes.
Family History Fair (Hall 2)
The following organisations have reserved tables:
*Anglo-German FHS • *Anglo-Italian FHS • *Bedfordshire FHS • *Berkshire FHS • *Buckinghamshire FHS • Buckinghamshire GS • *Dorset FHS • *East Surrey FHS • *Essex Society for FH • FFHS (Federation of Family History Societies) • *Glamorgan FHS • Guild of One Name Studies • *Hampshire GS • Hertfordshire FHS • Hillingdon FHS • *Huntingdonshire FHS • London Westminster & Middlesex FHS • Manchester & Lancs FHS • *Nottinghamshire FHS • *Oxfordshire FHS • Society of Genealogists • *Somerset & Dorset FHS • Suffolk FHS • Sussex FHG • *West Middlesex FHS • *Wiltshire FHS
British Association for Local History • Brookwood Cemetery Society • *Family & Community Historical Research Society • Friends of Woking Palace • Lace Guild (display) • *London Family History Centre • Send & Ripley History Society • *Southwark Family and Local History • *Sunbury & Shepperton Local History Society • *Surrey Heath Local History Club, Museum, Archaeological & Heritage Trust • Surrey History Centre • The Lightbox, Woking • Tongham Village • Woking & District Philatelic Society • Woking History Society
AMP Family History Services • Bookzone • Bryan Brinkley Postcards • C E Jones (Postcards and Books) • CAB Search • *Findmypast • Footsteps • Genealogy Printers • Gerard Smyth Secondhand Books • Image-Restore.co.uk Photo Restorations • John Owen Smith • John Townsend (Books) • Life Histories • Life Story • M M Publications • Michael Goldsmith Postcards • My History • One Stop Genealogy • Parchment (Oxford) Ltd • R A Longley Publications • S & N Genealogy Supplies • Staunton Park Genealogy Centre • The Genealogist • This Way Books & Cassini Historical Maps
*Above, indicates societies or organisations bringing research material.
Parking
The building work around the Leisure Centre and car park has been completed. Parking should be possible in nearby streets (e.g. Loop Road) if the car park is full.
We have just been advised that access to the stallholders’ car parking (shown as ‘Additional Car Park’ on our map) for our Open Day at Woking Leisure Centre will now be via the main entrance in Kingfield Road as shown on the reverse of the gold leaflet we enclosed with your earlier joining instructions. Bear right into the main car park and continue straight through this over the small bridge and the stallholders’ car park is the usual car park (for those who have been before) which is on the left at the rear of the Leisure Centre. There will be no access via Elmbridge Lane as there are now bollards in place on the slip road. Please do use the car park at the rear as this is the only direct access on level ground to the halls.
Not Local?
If you have Surrey ancestors why not combine a visit to the Surrey History Centre in Woking on Friday with attendance on the Open Day on the Saturday? Please see website for information about local accommodation. http://www.woking.gov.uk/woking/visit/wheretostayandeat/stay
Photo restoration some basic techniques
July 21st, 2012
To perform any photo restoration basic techniques are essential. Understanding how to make something look un-restored is what photo restoration is all about.
Edges / selection.
When anything is moved or copied over you should match the edges. When you are selecting something new to insert into an image you should match the edges. Matching edge definition is my number one tip. Edge selection video.
Matching grain.
If you are inserting anything into an image especially skies, match both the edge definition and the grain. Old images have natural random grain that doesn’t mix that well with flat computer generated tones. Skies will look fake and nasty. If inserted with bad selection they will look even more amateurish. Matching grain video
Don’t take short cuts
Taking short cuts with photo restoration is very tempting. Do it quick and make a fast buck! Do this this and it will come back to bite you! Initially you may benefit by making fast money but as soon as your techniques are exposed by some simple image brightening your reputation will plummet through the floor and you will soon be out of pocket. Don’t take shortcuts with photo restoration
Make it real – do no make it up!
Inventing detail or making up obviously fake bits of the image doesn’t make a “restoration”. What makes the restoration is genuinely thinking about the restore and what should be filling those missing pieces. We don’t want smooth edges when they should be sharp, or smooth textures when they should be grainy or nasty cloning. We need to see nothing, no obvious signs of restoration anywhere. Carefully matched grain, no “invented” details and artistic interpretations of what should be there. Restoring a photo with a natural eye.