RootsChat.Com
Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Emjaybee on Wednesday 16 April 08 10:43 BST (UK)
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A couple of the picture restorers will post a sample pic for you to restore/colour.
The submitted repairs/colours can then be discussed by the others with a view to us all learning new tricks and tips.
Please do let me know if you would like to give this a try. I see there is a need.
Thank you for your support.
Mike
aka Johnny no mates
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Good-o Johnny!
I'll post a damaged piccy when I get home and see what happens
Glen
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Sounds good but maybe not on this part of the forum, it will soon get very cluttered on here.
It would be a good idea to have a "Child Board" coming off "Photograph Restoration & Dating. Conservation" this is one way of keeping things seperate and also make things easier for us all.
Maybe the "Child Board" could be called "Tutorials/Tips/Advice", it would be much better than having loads of 'Stickies' at the top of this section of the board with loads of links in it.
Good idea Mike. :)
Colin.
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Sounds good but maybe not on this part of the forum, it will soon get very cluttered on here.
It would be a good idea to have a "Child Board" coming off "Photograph Restoration & Dating. Conservation" this is one way of keeping things seperate and also make things easier for us all.
Maybe the "Child Board" could be called "Tutorials/Tips/Advice", it would be much better than having loads of 'Stickies' at the top of this section of the board with loads of links in it.
Good idea Mike. :)
Colin.
Mike suggested this before and was sent off to the links section, so looks like a no go for a child board. :(
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I'm all for a 'child board' or a 'sticky'.
I found the ongoing sticky re posting photos very useful.
It would be very handy to be able to post done or partly done restores, and get feedback. And if it was all in the one thread we would learn by other's work as well.
I think it is a good suggestion.
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Hi Folks
I am happy to help whoever asks for it, a child board would be great. But if it isn't possible then just post your restores and maybe put "Beginner", "Learner" or "Advice please" in the name of the post and we can all rally around and support the learner. We need all the help we can get on this board, it is getting very popular. I for one have very little time nowadays to do many restores and peoples memories are so impoprtant!
Lones
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I am also more than happy to either guide or be guided when and wherever someone starts a thread.
Like Lones, I don't do much these days but we can all learn something new every day.
I'm in ;D
Di
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By the way, I do have a photo in need of some very special TLC and am willing to post it for everyone to practice on.
Just say so and it will be done.....
Di
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Hi Guys,
I've split Lady Di's photo off to a new topic, so you can carrying
on discussing Michael's idea here, on this topic ....
and work on the photo there:
Post and tell - #1 from Lady Di
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,299187.0.html
I suggest a new topic for each photo, maybe with title
"Post and tell - #n from ..... " but that's up to you.
If there are enough of them, a "catalogue" topic would help to find them, without sticky-ing every one.
Main thing - enjoy :)
Bob
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Thanks Bob.
Lets stick to this suggestion folks, I never turn down good advice.
I think we will need guidance on the catalogue Bob
Mike
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I think Bob means something like a sticky called "Post and Tell" which contains links to all the individual 'post and tell' (or whatever) threads, just like the Scanning and Posting or Tutorials and Tips ones
Glen
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Hi Everyone,
I think Mike`s idea is great for all us newbies. I have been downloading and practising on a lot of the piccies for some months now but have never posted one back. I just like to see how near I get to all you clever people out there.
The Lady Di photo has been very instructive and I have spent a happy few hours
on it. Many thanks to all who have taken the time to explain their individual techniques. This is just the sort of thing that is needed to help us along. A child board would be even better in my humble opinion.
Regards,
Mo
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Thanks Bob, for supplying suggestions on how this can be done, we will all benefit from this, "newbies" and "oldies" alike, and of course the bigger winners will be the postees. More restores and better quality ones too.
I can't believe how popular this site has become, when I joined Rootschat a little over 2 years ago, I read through the 6 pages of photo restoration, now there are 99 pages :o :o. So we must be doing something right!! I look forward to helping others and learning new tips myself.
Cheers to all who support this idea ;D
Lones
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mosiefish
Good to hear you're practicing hard, but you do need to post on the threads as the restores can look a bit different once they are on the web.. Once you post your first one you will be well away, though it is a bit daunting doing your first one. I fellt sure no one answered my first one and I thought I done something wrong :-[ I got over it.
When I started, I used to pick out bits the other restorers did well and try to reproduce the effect.. ok I wasn't good to start with but I did keep at it.
We all have our strengths and weaknesses so its good to constructively look at the restores and decide what you like and don't like and develop your own style. We can all tell who did a colour or restore without even looking at the name
Looking forward to seeing your work ;D
Jenny
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One found worked for me was to view my work in the Windows Paint application before posting. As often when I posted to the web as a jpeg I was disappointed in the result.
The tradition seems to be when you post your repair/colour it just sits there. Many will look and admire but do not feel they are allowed to comment for fear of offending.I have pm.d in the past and asked for a critique, but thats a bit awkward.
I am so glad my idea has taken off, we are going against a well founded tradition of posting.
Can we please post all sample pics with an estimate of its difficulty, the first one was "difficult/expert"
We need a beginners sample please. The post should be in the format suggested by Bob, e.g.
as a seperate thread with a link on this thread - Post and tell No.2 your nic (beginner/inter/expert) as appropriate. This will keep the reair post seperate and leave this thread for admin, tips and tricks, your ideas, socialising etc.
Sorry for rules and regs but we need a structure now before the boards get cluttered and we are warned off by the Mods.
If you can post your repair with a small section of the original for comparison all the better.
Please be assured all comments will be monitored, both Moderated and by the members, so dont be afraid to have a go in a safe environment.
Most of all enjoy.
Mike
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Mike,
the problem with saying whether you are beginner/inter/expert is that no one will consider themselves an expert and if anyone does, why are they here and not making money at it!!! There is only one person who posts on a very rare occasion that I would put in that class.
While I don't consider myself a beginner anymore there are areas that I'm definitely not good at and wouldn't consider myself an expert in any shape or form. My techniques are very long winded and do not fully utilise the power of photoshop. I can totally understand someone new or relatively new to restoring who is eager to learn saying they are a beginner but it becomes more difficult to classify when you have been restoring more than, say, 6-12months.
I do have lots of photos that I bought for restoring off board that have less damage that I could post for the exercise but I think we may need to classify the object of repair or colouring for each photo. i.e, cracks, fading, colour restoring, lighting, removing/moving objects, use of layers/masking, use of filters, backgrounds, framing (one for Jim or Tomkin I think ;D) or even tool manipulation and what a tool is useful for.. some I never use if its outside my comfort zone!!!!!!!! Color management is another but I'm not sure anyone would want to try to explain that one :o
There is also the problem of the different types of software we use, PSP is different to CS2 or Elements and there are somethings in Elements you can't do that is possible in CS2 or PSP. I don't know the other free/cheaper software to be able to comment on them. I think if anyone does put up examples for critique they should mention which software package they are using so that any help will be in the right format for a beginner to understand. There is no point saying how to do things in CS2 that cannot be understood or done in the same manor in other software.
mmm... sorry no short way of putting all that, but there is more to this idea than just posting and a critique
Jenny
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I do have lots of photos that I bought for restoring off board that have less damage that I could post for the exercise but I think we may need to classify the object of repair or colouring for each photo. i.e, cracks, fading, colour restoring, lighting, removing/moving objects, use of layers/masking, use of filters, backgrounds, framing (one for Jim or Tomkin I think ;D) or even tool manipulation and what a tool is useful for.. some I never use if its outside my comfort zone!!!!!!!!
Good idea Jenny
A photo with just one or two scratches across non-vital parts (not the face!) could be a good photo to practise on and discuss different techniques. If you have one like that, then we can all see the different techniques used to remove the damage.
Glen
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Since reading Dis reply, it might be better if restorers carry on restoring our usual "visitors" photos and if they want advice or to discuss the techniques to also put a link to this thread and ask for comments/critique here. This way our general turnover isn't upset and there is an avenue for discussion outside the original request thread.
As far as I understand it, this critique/discussion is mainly for new people or others wishing to learn new methods who may under normal circumstances feel that they are imposing by pm'ing individual restorers. Lady Di, Irene, Mudge, Kizmiaz and I were trying to get the ball rolling... but unless the people who asked for this thread make an contribution then.... :-\
Jenny
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http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=299389.new#new
O'k heres starte cut and paste.
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Thanks for your comments, we do need some way of showing the level of difficulty, if expert is not acceptable then we can use level 1,2,3 etc to give some idea as how difficult the pic is.
There is no intention to interfere with the main photo restore board. The idea has been, as stated from the start, to have a more informal board where those of us who struggle to get results can discuss our efforts with the more experience members, watch and learn.
I'm sure many more of the members who work on the main board will be prepared to share their knowedge (several are already).
What do members suggest.
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Just for fun, test your knowledge, write answers on a piece of paper, then we'll compare notes:
If you find these do not relate to your software disregard this.
1. Name two types of images you can open in your software
2. How do you select tools
3. Can you change the view of your image
4. What does the crop tool do
5. What is tonal range
6. What is saturation
7. Do you have the clone stamp tool? What does it do compared to the patch tool
8. What is a snapshot with reference to your worksession
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I realise I may be speaking out of turn here but I really don't get what all this is about :-\..as far as I can see there is a very good thread at the top of the board for anyone who wants to know more about restoring photos..plus the internet is awash with Tutorials for the learner/newbie to photo restoration.
It's just a question of practice, patience and learning from others on the board...I'm sure anyone would be happy to advise learners in a P.M. which is how it has always been done before.
Personally.. I just see that this thread will drive posted photos further down the board before they have had the attention they deserve.
There is nothing more satisfying than learning at your own speed and through your own efforts...that way you can truly be proud of what you have achieved and by doing so...you will develop your own unique style thereby avoiding the risk of your work becoming a takeoff of someone's hard earned style ::)
Enough said.
Carol
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I must agree with Carol.
There are literally thousands of tutorials, both written and video, everywhere over the net.
All you need to do is Google "Photoshop tutorials" to get more links than you will ever need.
Add "video" to your search if that is your prefered method of learning.
Add the area you need help in to your search - and Bobs your uncle, a long list will appear.
You can then save these pages to your "favourites" or download them to a folder on your computer for future reference.
As there are so many different ways to do each task - this will give you the opportunity to see which one suits you
Sites like "You Tube" "MySpace" " MetaCafe" and "Google video" are just a few
Hippy
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Oh dear, another idea squashed.
There are people who thought it would work.
I have no fight left.
Dont say I didn't try folks.
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As there have now been further objections to this thread please do not attempt to post any examples.
There are also numerous social sites on the web yet the YTG, Olde Rootschatte Inne etc are accepted here.
You win again I give up.
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Some say yes, some say no - just like in real life ;D
Those who want to will carry on, and seems there are definitely those who want to, and are doing it , so enough said.
Mike, the majority rules :)
There are literally thousands of tutorials, both written and video, everywhere over the net.
I agree, but I find it more important that these "Post and tell" tutorials are interactive, and provide different solutions, instead of looking in 3 different tutorials and trying to find the bits that are relevant.
- and to pick up on something Mike said, they have a very important socialising aspect.
Or do you prefer sitting in front of a computer and working away and getting no feedback ?
Bob
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It's just a question of practice, patience and learning from others on the board...I'm sure anyone would be happy to advise learners in a P.M. which is how it has always been done before.
I thought that the whole idea was that people on the board could learn. Why wouldn't it be a good idea to let everyone know how things are done, rather than in Private messages? New learners may not know who to contact, so they cannot learn from the private conversations that go on behind the scenes.
Just a thought, but if this is they way that the board is going to be, with no-one willing to share their knowledge with the rest of the board, then I'm high-tailing it away yet again
Good luck to the new learners. Hope you get the help you need, but obviously not from these boards
Bye
Glen
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Thanks Bob, well said.
So if you want to you can, and if not you don't have to participate, is that it in a nutshell?
I will participate, I am happy to help anyone who wants to learn. Renovating permitting that is ;D ;D
Cheers
Lones
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Hey Glen :(
Please think about your decision. A lot of us really need the help that your experience offers and you would be greatly missed.
If we just live and let live it should be fine :-\
Lones
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Could the Moderator please clarrify / explain the objections to the "Post and Tell" threads. ??? ??? ???
Restorers will only respond to them if they wish, and I have already picked up a few tips which will assist my future restores
The only thing I can find wrong with them is that there were too many in a short period, but as I have already said you don't have to do them unless you want to. That's why I didn't contribute to the last one :-\
There as also been support from other established restorers, which should indicate that there is a place for it
Mudge
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Hi Mudge,
I've merged your topic, as I think it belongs to this discussion.
As I see it:
- People who want photos restored and/or coloured will post them here and someone or several will restore and/or colour them.
- people who would like help and guidance will post a picture, preferably with "Post and Tell ...." in the title, so they are recognisable as such, and all those who wish to provide help and guidance will do so.
- the comment "there are lots of tutorials on the web" is duly noted, but I feel that it misses the point of this particular discussion, which is:
how can we (those of us who want to) help others to refine their skills
- As on all RootsChat boards, there are those who like to help, and there are those who provide a link to a web site with the answer. There is room here for all of us.
And most important of all:
- If you like helping people, and you enjoy passing your knowledge on to others,
then do so - and enjoy :)
- if you feel there is no need for this,
then just don't join in; skip these topics and join in elsewhere :)
Bob
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Thanks for all the support, but this is not the first time the silent majority has ruled.
If anybody wants to take it on please do. I'm just too sensative for this job.
Mike
(Retired Chamber of Commerce Training Co-ordinator, qualified MIPD, level 4 NVQ Training and Development, qualified NVQ Assesor D32,D36.) So I might just know a bit about designng and presenting training courses folks.
I shall return to a few restores on the mainboard where I cant get into any trouble.
(That remains to be seen.)
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Hi Mike,
I think it's self-organising ;D
Someone posts a picture and says How would you deal with ...... e.g. Faces and people join in, or not, as they wish.
Bob
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Hello :),
Restoring photographs, documents and having fun playing around with images is fun, relaxing and if it works, gives a sense of achievement.
There are plenty of forums for help and discussion of techniques on the net, but because they are spread all over and offer different answers to a problem, it may be confusing.
I would imagine there are a lot of people who would love to have a start at restoration work, but are overwhelmed at the initial outset.
I have always replied to questions of “How did you do that”. Perhaps a ‘child’ board or something along those lines would be good for exchange of ideas, help or encouragement. Thus not getting lost or confusing the main thread of restorations.
I have no idea how many people on Rootschat are experts or professionals, but does that matter. The most important thing is the preservation or bringing back to life of little pieces of social history. Secondly if ‘new’ people want to try then that is an exchange of ideas and techniques, which must be good from a socializing standpoint.
A restorer will always develop their own style eventually. Some will like one style over another. I have looked at other restores and thought “I wished I had done it that way”.
Other times I have thought I wished I hadn’t posted it. ;D
George
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I'm sorry, but I can't see the point in this either. This board is a service provided to rootschatters for the restoration of photos. It is not "photo restoring 101" which would bear no relation to the concept to which the entire site of Rootschat is intended, ie geneology. Let's keep things in perspective here.
There are literally thousands of tutorials on the web and it all boils down to one thing, practice and experimentation. As far as I'm concerned, there is no such thing as an expert, paid or unpaid because there is always something new to learn and to think anyone person knows it all is very short sighted. I would never presume to critque someone elses work and don't think there is anyone on the board, whether regular posters or not that should be that presumptious as we all view things differently and have different techniques.
To add training posts would only serve to clutter and distract from the true purpose of this board.
I'm more than happy to provide tips via pm and have done so on many occasions in the past, but I've already given you my biggest tip, practice!!!!!
Caz
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I'm sorry, but I can't see the point in this either. This board is a service provided to rootschatters for the restoration of photos. It is not "photo restoring 101" which would bear no relation to the concept to which the entire site of Rootschat is intended, ie geneology. Let's keep things in perspective here.
Looks like my decision to stay away from this part of the site was the right one with these sorts of attitudes. No point in helping anyone to do something, is there!
If Genealogy is the sole point, why are there over 100 postings on one photo restoration thread about a picture of a plane? Not much to do with Genealogy there as far as I can see
Good luck everyone else, and sorry I came back
Glen
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Glen
I've helped many, many people with restoring tips in the past as well as literally doing thousands of restores, so if that's not helping people then I don't know what is!!! I have a right to express my opinion and that's what I did. You have the right to disagree and I would certainly not attack you for it let alone question your attitude.
Caz
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only serve to clutter and distract from the true purpose of this board.
Let's go back a step.
What is the true purpose of this board ??
What is the purpose of RootsChat ??
RootsChat started out as a family history chat forum. As it developed, we discovered that "family history" covers a multitude of things, including old photos, which led to restoration of old photos, which led to this board being set up.
On other parts of RootChat we have gone well beyond "just a family history forum" and offer help, not only in finding information, but also in showing others where to find the information.
RootsChat has become a community, a part of peoples' lives, a social experience.
And now some restorers are offering - I repeat - offering - help, not only to "do" but to
show others how to "do" - thus furthering what is happening on other parts of RootsChat.
Nobody is forced to do anything here, whether reading the TOTb topics - fun for some, anathema for others - or joining in the "teaching" aspects of photo restoration - fun for some, but not for others.
There is room enough on RootsChat for a variety of ways to participate,
everybody can choose for themselves how much and where.
Anybody who wants to contribute on this "Post and Tell" concept is free to do so.
Anybody who doesn't wish to contribute, is free not to do so
Bob
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I started as a beginner restorer on this thread and have learnt by reading the instructions and seeing how other people do it.
Every now and again someone will say 'how did you do that' and the answer is given by the restorer, letting us know some of their little secrets.
I have learnt a lot this way and have even sent the odd pm with a query.
I think I have managed with this system without too many dramas.
I have even started a new topic with a simple query (couldn't find a darn tool )
And had some wonderful help, thanks to everyone in here.
Just passing on my beginners experience ;D
Margaret