Photo Restoration tape marks
In this example I will describe some of the processes involved in restoring a badly damaged photograph which has been torn, creased and stuck with tape. Bits of the photo are missing and will need to be replaced and restored.
The Jigsaw. Firstly I cut out all pieces and pasted onto new canvas and the positioned on separate layers to do the jigsaw. This was to accurately gage where each piece needed to be and be in perfect alignment ready for photo restoration. Once happy that the pieces were in place I merged layers. I quickly blitzed the scratches and flecks with the clone and heal tool.
The Tape marks. I selected with the manual selection tool and a slight feather then leveled to the same tone as the picture. Then I fixed the edges of the tape marks with the heal and clone tool.
The face. I copied and flipped and distorted the left eye to make a right eye, then lightened and dodged and burned in using a small brush the skin tones, finally I used the heal tool to get some texture back on the tone. Same with the head piece and flower on head piece from dress.
The Background. Using a large heal tool I recreated the background where needed. The bottom left was made from a section of the bottom right once I fixed it, (the right hand side) I flipped the right and pasted into the left hand side.
The Table / Chair. Again I copied and flipped the chair and cloth, and extensively rebuilt the cloth and centre piece on the cloth just using the slight suggestion of a leaf pattern. I used the four leaves and cut and pasted and rotated until I had four sides of a leaf design, then cloned into the middle one of the white roses below the chair, I final tidy up by trimming the outside.
These techniques are described assuming you have some knowledge of Photoshop, so sorry it’s not a basics type explanation. It also assumes you have an eye for realism. Many thanks for reading.
Neil, just a note to say how much I appreciate the comprehensive coverage you give to every aspect of photo restoration. I’ve completed probably a dozen or so photo restoration courses via Lynda.com, and while I learn something new from every one, your courses on Lynda.com are my favorite. My favorite because you give ‘tough’ exercises to work with but you then painstakingly go through every step of restoration all the way to the end – I really appreciate that as other courses I’ve taken just skim over the details as though you already understand them (why would I be taking the course if I was already familiar with the process?). I always take your exercise case and work it all the way through and sometimes beyond on my own in order to practice what I’ve learned and see where I stand. I then repeat the whole process following your tutorial and pick up on all the great tips for how I could have done that better.
Just a note to compliment you on your thoroughness and willingness to share all your secrets with aspiring photo restorers.
Jerry Keenehan
Thank you for such an in-depth comment glowing compliments! I am continuously working with “Linkedin.com” who are the new owners of “Lynda” to work out what it is, viewers need to see. A new course is in the making! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, this is fantastic! what are the technical object/components you are using to perform this kind of restoration? do you have any algorithm you follow? or any terms that i can referred to. thank you!
The blog post you commented on describes in full, the process i went through to restore the photo. If need more help with restoring photos with missing pieces try here http://www.image-restore.co.uk/?s=missing I hope this helps.
That explanation was very helpful, but I would also like to preserve the physical photos are prevent further damage. Any suggestions for treating a surface which has been cracked and is flaking off? Thanks.
HI there
Yes im sure this can be done, it is best seek advice from a conservator and the appropriate paper medium. Go to this link http://www.conservationregister.com/PIcon-SpecialismSearch.asp?UserType=1 and choose the correct photographic media from the first drop down box “Conservation Restoration” the enter your postcode to get a list of conservators near you.
I hope this helps
Wow brilliant work!
Very kind John. I wish you all the best with your quest. Should you need an extra hand you know where I am! A post that may help you is “photo-restoration-the-importance-of-selection”
Good luck!
Hi Neil
I’m having a go at retouching the family photo collection and came across your excellent site. This restoration in particular really amazed me.
As an illustrator I’ve not really explored all the aspects of Photoshop beyond
my job, so photo retouching is a new area. Your work is an inspiration!
John