Restoring faded colour prints

[nickc1]

<p>I have been asked to have a go at restoring some colour prints of a family members children taken 10 and 12 years ago. They are coulour traditional prints that have been left in sunlight and faded towards cyan to greater or lesser extents (There are 6 5in x 5in prints). I am proposing to scan the prints and then up the magenta a quite a bit and yellow a fraction.<br>

I would be gratful if anyone who has been here before could come up with any additonal suggestions.<br>

Thanks.</p>

[patricklavoie]

<p>scan it as is, then use the AUTO button in curve, it should give you back or at least bring to life your old print.</p>

[jackaldridge]

<p>You might want to consider this...<br>

<a href="http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/publications/gr/psrestoration.htm">http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/publications/gr/psrestoration.htm</a><br>

(if you are going to do a lot of restoration.)<br>

You can also google the author's name and come up with a lot of free tutorials to do what you want.</p>

[jackaldridge]

<p>Rick here is another trick if Auto doesn't work.<br>

1- Duplicate the image layer<br>

2- Blur that layer by selecting "Blur" ---> "Average"<br>

3- Invert the layer<br>

4- Change the blend mode to "Overlay" or Soft Light"<br>

5- Change the opacity as needed...<br>

This has worked well for me in the past.</p>

[silverdae]

<p>First, open levels. Click thrgouh each individual channel and adjust them. The red channel will need the most adjustment. This will bring your image back to a workable place where local adjustments, mulitply/color/curves/etc, will be useful. </p>

[nickc1]

<p>Thanks a lot I am not just playing around in the dark anymore.</p>

[schristian1]

<p>Or try this book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0240808142/ref=ox_ya_oh_product">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0240808142/ref=ox_ya_oh_product</a> He also suggests some other reference books.</p>