Esteban, my son, an old faded photography

[Catalina]

Hello, I want to know what can be done with an old photography.
Is it possible to improve it?

[Donald]

Catalina

First of all, in order to have your images posted into your posts, rather than appear as thumbnails, please do read - HELP THREAD: How can I post images here?. This will tell you what you need to know about posting images.

As for the image, can you give us more information?

Is this a scan of a print, or is it a digital image?
It is posted at a size of 700 pixels on the longest edge. Do you have it bigger than that on your computer?
What post processing software do you have and how do you rate your experience at using it?

[Catalina]

I hope I have done it better now.
This old photography has not been edited.
When I edit ( few times because I did not take the class of "procesamiento digital") I use ViewNX2.

[Donald]

Catalina - Well done for managing to get your picture posted into your message.

I hope other people will also give you their opinion, but I would describe your image as too flat. There is not enough contrast in it to make it 'pop' out. It looks, as you say, faded.

I hope you do not mind, but I have quickly tried a few techniques on it. You can consider whether you feel this helps.

I use the GIMP software. Firstly I did a slight global sharpen. Then I introduced some local contrast enhancement. Finally I pulled in the black point and applied a slight S curve to further enhance the contrast.




Click on my image above to view it in the lightbox. The use the two arrows at the bottom of that to move between my version and your version. This allows you to assess the differences.

[JPS]

Hi Catalina,
What a lovely little lad; who I'm guessing is a lot older now.

I also had a try at some PP with this picture, to see what I could come up with. Similar to Donalds workflow, removed noise, adjusted black point, blurred the background and selective sharpening.

Not sure of my end result, I'll leave that to you and others to see if it's liked or not.
Many thanks for sharing.

[Donald]

That's a good bit of work, John. Much better than my effort.

[JPS]

That's a good bit of work, John. Much better than my effort.

Thanks Donald. I wouldn't say better, just another option for Catalina to consider.

[cliffmccartney]

Nice work John - looks great.

You've inspired me to try and 'repair' some old family shots.

[Catalina]

Thanks to all for the editing job. But being new to photography I don't understand what is a black point.
I told you that I have taken this photography with my Cannon AE1.
Now this camera does not work.
I am going to do the exercise of portrait school, photographing the possible places with my camera where I am going to photograph an willing subject.
Now , my sons don't pose for me. They are shy or something.
My father agreed to pose for me. Now he will be my next subject.
Again, thanks a lot for your time and for sharing your knowledge.
Cordially,
Catalina

[JPS]

Hi Catalina,
My boys are all in their twenty's now and they won’t let me take pictures of them, unless it’s at a family party or event.
In Donald’s post he did link the text, to parts of the site that give a very good explanation of ‘black point’; ‘local contrast enhancement’ and other tools he used to adjust your picture, hopefully these will be of help to you.
Good luck with your portraiture work.

[ANSORB]

Hello, I want to know what can be done with an old photography.
Is it possible to improve it?

Lots. I just want to say that one problem with old colour photos is that they fade over time and quite often get a bluish tinge (cast) which yours does. Apart from the comments already made this can often be corrected and I have taken the liberty of correcting it somewhat. It isn't as good as it could be, skin tones in particular can be very difficult and I am not an expert. But I hope it gives you an idea.

[speedneeder]

Hi Catalina, I was mostly interested to see about creating some more contrast in this image. I made a duplicate layer for 'hard light' and then I thought why not try B&W (something I've been doing just a little more of lately).
Anyway, I think the contrast is recoverable, and for me, I wouldn't smooth out any of the texture/noise, this is part of the 'old photo'.

[Catalina]

Hi Brian:
Thank you for the attention that you gave to my old and amateur photo.
The black and white versions solves the problem I had with the colors. This photography was turning green, with the years.
Thank you for your time and for giving me another option.
I like the texture of the sweater. I like the texture of the wood.
I wonder if the photography has one mistake, and the mistake is this: The chair looks like it is going to fall because it is leaning towards one side. ¿Can this be corrected by some post processing? I imagine , by cutting the photography. I don't know how to do it.
What is your expert opinion?
Thanks again,
Cordially,
Catalina

[speedneeder]

LOL, I wouldn't call myself an expert!
Yes you could rotate the photo to get the chair appear more vertical.
I use a freeware application called GIMP. It's not the easiest program to learn, BUT does have tons of capability.