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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: kawabata on Friday 01 February 13 02:09 GMT (UK)

Title: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: kawabata on Friday 01 February 13 02:09 GMT (UK)
This is of my gr grandfather. I also have a post here requesting information on its origination (Europe or US), but I would love for it to get restored.

Here is a link to a higher definition version: https://picasaweb.google.com/111492589600529292865/NewFolder02?authkey=Gv1sRgCKWbqMP9t62PXg#5839798273832721154

Thanks!
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: chinakay on Friday 01 February 13 05:29 GMT (UK)
1870s. Is there any design printed on the back?
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: billkent on Friday 01 February 13 21:43 GMT (UK)
One from me.

Bill. :)
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: kawabata on Saturday 02 February 13 03:25 GMT (UK)
Wow!! That is really cool. Very neat, I wasn't expecting that!!
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Rachels on Saturday 02 February 13 10:19 GMT (UK)
This is of my gr grandfather. I also have a post here requesting information on its origination (Europe or US), but I would love for it to get restored.

Here is a link to a higher definition version: https://picasaweb.google.com/111492589600529292865/NewFolder02?authkey=Gv1sRgCKWbqMP9t62PXg#5839798273832721154

Thanks!
Hi there
If you have the original, could you rescan at 300-600 so we can see the detail
It's only at 72 and is very pixellated

thanks
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: billkent on Saturday 02 February 13 10:39 GMT (UK)
I used this much clearer copy Rachel, http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,633880.0.html

Bill. :)
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Rachels on Saturday 02 February 13 10:52 GMT (UK)
I used this much clearer copy Rachel, http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,633880.0.html

Bill. :)

Cheers Bill
Hardly any difference ~ only scanned at 72 and very pixellated >:(
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: billkent on Saturday 02 February 13 11:14 GMT (UK)
That's strange, it shows 130dpi on my PC.

Bill.
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Pels. on Saturday 02 February 13 11:56 GMT (UK)




It's 96dpi on mine, that's with saving it by three different methods.

Pels.
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Rachels on Saturday 02 February 13 12:05 GMT (UK)
 ::) ;D :o Well whatever it shows, it's still too pixellated

so there  ;D



Good grief Pauline nine and a half thousand posts ?
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Greensleeves on Saturday 02 February 13 12:06 GMT (UK)
If you click 'download' you get a 1MB plus image - or at least, I did.

Regards
GS
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Greensleeves on Saturday 02 February 13 12:10 GMT (UK)
It comes out at 1.4MB but having said that, the image is very unclear because the paper seems to have the same texture as old leather, so I think it would be difficult to achieve a brilliant restore.  Though no doubt someone more talented that me will come along and prove me wrong  ;D
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Rachels on Saturday 02 February 13 12:18 GMT (UK)
It comes out at 1.4MB but having said that, the image is very unclear because the paper seems to have the same texture as old leather, so I think it would be difficult to achieve a brilliant restore.  Though no doubt someone more talented that me will come along and prove me wrong  ;D

It's pixellated



There is evidently surface wear (not a texture) so a good scan, without pixellation, should allow us to achieve a fairly decent result
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Pels. on Saturday 02 February 13 12:57 GMT (UK)


If you click 'download' you get a 1MB plus image - or at least, I did.

Regards
GS

There's no relationship between the physical size and the way the image has been scanned - or saved after scanning, GS.

As far as I can see, Rachel's spot on !  Apart from the small of difference of 24dpi ! 

:-X ;D ;D

Pels.
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Greensleeves on Saturday 02 February 13 15:26 GMT (UK)
I have to disagree - it is not pixelated:   pixels are square and these are not.

The first pic shows how the image would appear if it was pixelated; the second shows the true image which,  as you will see,  does not consist of square  pixels.
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 02 February 13 15:45 GMT (UK)
I downloaded this and found the same texture G.S...I don't see it as pixelation either...perhaps this is what has happened here:

High temperatures speed up chemical changes, increasing deterioration. Some photos have an “alligatored” or cracked surface; this dimensional change can be caused by extreme heat or cold.

Carol
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Greensleeves on Saturday 02 February 13 19:33 GMT (UK)
That's an interesting explanation, Carol - thank you for that.  I have been puzzling how it could have happened.  Most grateful to you for your input.

Kind regards,

Chris
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Maggie. on Saturday 02 February 13 19:59 GMT (UK)
Thanks for that explanation, Carol.  I haven't downloaded the picture but from GS's images I can see the leathered appearance, which I've seen before on old pictures.  Good to know what could cause it.
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: kawabata on Sunday 03 February 13 00:54 GMT (UK)
Hopefully my comments help since I have the original photograph.

First, the original scan is at 600 dpi, but it must be downloaded from the picasa website, not right click and saved, but "download." I know that might seem like the same thing, but on picasa, it's not. The file is over 1 meg, thus why I couldn't post it directly here.

Second, I would be happy to email anybody that wants the file directly. Please feel free to contact me and I'll send you the file directly.

Third, I was looking at the original photograph under a zoom app on my phone (sad, I know), and there is what you are referring to as a "leathering" going on. So, no higher resolution will fix that, it's just the way it is. Sorry the quality isn't better, but then again, that's partly why I've submitted it here and makes it all part of the fun and challenge!!

Thanks everyone though, very interesting hearing the discussion about the issues of the photograph.

Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Niksmum on Sunday 03 February 13 01:25 GMT (UK)
I "downloaded" it from the picasa site and it still shows as 72 dpi with my software  ??? ???

That being said here is a restore from me

Irene

Edited....BTW not a good idea to put your e mail address on here.
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: kawabata on Sunday 03 February 13 01:44 GMT (UK)
Also, while this is already scanned at 600 DPI, I cannot post it as the file size is just too high. I've cropped it down multiple times to upload, but I still get to 800k, above the max. If you go to:

https://picasaweb.google.com/111492589600529292865/NewFolder02?authkey=Gv1sRgCKWbqMP9t62PXg#5839798273832721154

Click on "download" and there you can download a 1.32 Meg version of the picture. thanks again!!
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: tommyfromri on Sunday 03 February 13 03:18 GMT (UK)
an effort from me..I have a 3 MB file for this photo also, if you'd like it send me a RC pm with email and I'll forward it to you.., tommy
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: PrueM on Sunday 03 February 13 05:18 GMT (UK)
I downloaded this and found the same texture G.S...I don't see it as pixelation either...perhaps this is what has happened here:

High temperatures speed up chemical changes, increasing deterioration. Some photos have an “alligatored” or cracked surface; this dimensional change can be caused by extreme heat or cold.

Carol

The distinctive pattern on the surface of this photograph is typical of albumen prints and not seen on gelatin emulsions (they crack less regularly.  Collodion emulsions don't crack at all, because they're not hydrophilic).  Albumen swells and shrinks, with changes in relative humidity, to a greater degree than many materials - unfortunately because the paper underneath is stuck fast to card, it can't expand and contract in a likewise fashion (and would probably do so at a different rate anyway) so these stress cracks occur.  Here's an article about the phenomenon: http://albumen.conservation-us.org/science/

This may perhaps be more dull than you thought possible...sorry about that  ;) ;D
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Greensleeves on Sunday 03 February 13 09:52 GMT (UK)
Not dull at all Pru but fascinating.  I can see I'm going to be spending a goodly part of today reading up about various types of prints now!
Title: Re: 1883 photo restoration
Post by: Maggie. on Sunday 03 February 13 10:24 GMT (UK)
Thanks Pru - I'm finding it interesting too, although it will take me more than one read to understand it  ;)

When doing a restore I find I do start to muse about what has caused the damage so perhaps this will help me to better understand some of those cracks and marks.