Need help restoring a signature

I've spent several days trying numerous techniques to bring out the actual signature on this photo, and I'm not happy with any of them. The photo itself wasn't a problem. I got it cleaned up and looking like I want, but trying to pull the actual detail out of this has stumped me. I thought I'd throw it out to the forum to see if anyone else has any better luck, and if so, can share how they did it. According to my friend who sent me the photo, the person's name is Susan Lewis Long. I just can't make out all the lines in the last name or everything in the first part (if it's "Miss" or "Mrs"). If I had to bet, I'd say the first is "Miss".

Ideally what I'd like to do is to extract that signature and lay it back on top of the restored photo, edited to fit in as much as possible. I'm game to take it into Illustrator if needed to trace a path (want to learn how to do that too). I've attached a crop of the original image sent to me. Any help would be appreciated. This has been a good learning exercise for me.

This is tough. How was this digital image obtained? Scan or photo? If I were you, I'd try a hi-res scan and then use levels and curves to see if you can isolate the signature.

My friend had someone else scan it and send. I don't know if they can get a higher resolution one. I already asked.

You may try changing the image to B&W. The signature should stand out better. In Photoshop, zoom in and fill, a letter at a time if necessary, until you have it good enough. Cut out the doughnut holes in letters like d, a, b, etc. By working with layers you should be able to get the whole signature as a separate file. This can be then added to whatever image you have and lightened, re-sized also.

Thanks for the info, but I've already tried that. Layers, channels, curves, multiple blending modes, levels, b/w ... tried a bunch of things already but haven't found a way to get it clean enough to extract a signature.

Looks to me like it says - Mrs. S. M. Lang - strange being her middle initial should be an 'L.' according to your post.
The 'a' in Long doesn't seem off because I know some people make their 'Os' look like 'As'.
Might have to get the pen tool out and trace it!

I wouldn't mind tracing it at all if I could pull out a few more lines. In one version of my "playing", I did see a little loop in what is probably an "o" in the last name. It was VERY faint, and I wondered if it were wishful thinking. Whenever I enhance it, I keep bringing out more noise from the background which makes finding the signature line hard to trace.

I did send a note to my friend (a HS classmate). My guess is Susan Lewis Long is her married name. Maybe the "M" is her middle maiden name. That's my theory anyway.

-Douglas- wrote in post #17895962
Looks to me like it says - Mrs. S. M. Lang - strange being her middle initial should be an 'L.' according to your post.
The 'a' in Long doesn't seem off because I know some people make their 'Os' look like 'As'.
Might have to get the pen tool out and trace it!

I agree with that. Did some PS stuff, and got it a little bit clearer.

FYI, I did hear back from my HS classmate who confirmed my theory. Her maiden middle name started with M, so she thinks it says "Mrs. S. M. Long". Now if I can just discern those lines enough to trace!

Thanks for the attempt, Pekka. That's about what I kept getting no matter what I did. Do you mind sharing what you did to pull those details out? I'm wondering if its something I've tried.

I'll keep playing too and post any updates here.

Pekka's is better, this is what I have. I used multiple layers using Luminosity, Overlay, etc then sharpened, increased contrast, and even used Noiseware.

Just kept hitting it with a dehaze brush in LR, Not good for using but maybe can be read better?

It may show up better if you can get a infra red shot of it.

This was all I had. Chances of getting another image are slim.

I spent the last couple of hours with the pen tool and adjustments I'd made and came up with this version. It's not perfect, but unless someone has a better way, this may be the best I can do right now.
Here's the full version of the original image sent to me.

Grizz's enhancement is great and I think you have a good grasp on the overall paths. Next is to take an artful approach and try to recreate the calligraphic look of a nib pen. Your rendition is too uniform in thickness. However, really great progress.

Thanks for that. I agree, the signature needs a little more work. What's the best way to try to create a more calligraphic look once I have a good path?