help repairing old photo

[learjet035]

Here is a photo my girlfriend's family has had forever. I offered to fix it up for them but may have bitten off more than I can handle. The overall pic has many small wrinkles in it that created light and dark shading in the pic that I am really having a tough time getting rid of. (see zoom) if you all have any tips or ideas on how to overall improve on this please let me know, or any other tips as far as color or contrast, I would appreciate it. Thanks all.

[learjet035]

Zoomed in

[Rick Baker]

carefully use Clone Stamp tool? Zoom in and use a small size brush with the clone stamp tool. Try your best to clone from surrounding areas. That's all that comes to mind.

Good luck.

[Rick Baker]

Something like this maybe? I downloaded it and did a quick job with the clone stamp tool. I don't know if it is up to your standards, but I think it's better

[Rick Baker]

I did a rough job though. With more time, I think you could get it to look pretty good with the clone stamp tool. The patch and healing brush may help too.

good luck

[CyberPet]

A tip is to convert the images to b/w first, easier to work with greyscale images than to try to match a sepia image. Once the repair is done, you can make it sepia again for that aged look.

[Dallas_TX]

You may already be aware of this but there's a web site called retouchpro.com that has zillions of how-to and things to help. Also, If you'll post your picture there, a dozen people will probably take a stab at it.

When I do this, I always start with setting the black and white points first, otherwise your hand tools will show when you change the contrast. I usually use the eyedroppers in levels to do that. Actually, change it to gray scale, make your fixes, then convert back to sepia tone.

Fun project huh?

[PhotosGuy]

Do you want the print that color, or do you want a B&W?
If B&W, reshoot it in RAW, but Custom WB OFF THE PRINT first. You'll get a file without the color that you can adjust contrast in the conversion from RAW.

[learjet035]

wow, all great ideas. Thanks so much. Dallas- never heard of that site, thanks I'll give it a shot. I'll post my final version for you all. Thanks again!