digitalizing old photos

[simmonsrandal]

I took on a project of updateing some om my mothers old photos. many are fading and some have cracks.

I have photoshop 7.0

what is the easyest way to bring back the color?

how can i remove small lines from the photo?

thanks
RS

[timmyquest]

Remove lines by using the clone tool

Simply push "s"
Select "alt / left click" to get sample, then click over the lines.
Sounds odd you'll get a hang of it.

To fix colors push controll U and adjust the second slider "saturation"

[scottbergerphoto]

You might want to check out VueScan at www.hamrick.com. Also, www.scantips.com.
Scott

[mvrekum]

Remove lines by using the clone tool

Simply push "s"
Select "alt / left click" to get sample, then click over the lines.
Sounds odd you'll get a hang of it.

To fix colors push controll U and adjust the second slider "saturation"

The 'healing brush' does a better job for removing lines. Works the same as the cloning tool, but blends in with the surrounding area.

Saturation only works to a certain extend if there is some color left in the image, but I think you will end up with the airbrush and coloring it by hand.

Martin

[Conk]

Everyone here has had good advice on what to do with old photos. The clone tool does work well for large area's that need to be reconstructed but Martin is correct about the healing brush. It blends much better to remove spots and small scratches.
As far as color goes it is much easier to make a suggestion on how to repair when we can see the photo. If the photo is faded to the point that lines have diminished then it means more work than an air brush or saturation levels can repair.
There are some great tutorials available if you just "google" photo restoration.

[JadeCat]

"Photoshop Restoration & Retouching "

One of the best books that I ever bought regarding PS.
She has all the tips and techniques that you can then extend to your own photographs; she doesn't do cookbook recipe type instructions. She gives you the theory and explanations behind her techniques.

[Yance]

With old color prints, the fading typically happens only with one of the colors. I think it is the reds that go too warm. Using photoshop go to each of the color channels and try individual adjustments of the colors. You may need to adjust only one channel to bring the picture back to normal.