The assessment
In this photo restoration, we illustrate how not all photos need to “get major surgery” to look their best. Some can show major improvements, just with minor adjustments.
I didn’t find any serious damage had been caused to this image. There were no creases, no tears, stains or other issues. No, in this case, the photograph was simply dull and lacklustre.
The image was a mixture of clarity and what I would term “soft” focus, which to me, had an artistic quality. The dog’s head was sharp and clear, but as you moved away from it, the more blurred or out of focus everything else became.
I obviously don’t know whether this was by design or just serendipitous. If it was pure luck, that’s all the more reason to bring this back to its best.
The fix
The first job was to check the histogram and adjust the colour levels. This has worked to improve images on many occasions. It did so here, but that wasn’t all this picture needed. There were also a few other adjustments required before the image on the right appeared.
I considered removing the glowing orb-like elements in the picture, but I felt that it added something of an ethereal quality to the image.
So in the end, the image on the right was how I left this photo and it’s refreshing to be able to make so much of a difference with the minimum of intervention.
Individual estimates
This one was very quick from start to finish and illustrates why each picture needs to be assessed on its own merits.
You would be surprised how many pictures are rejuvenated by some minor adjustments alone. However, normally, most require at least some spots or blemishes removing to do the job properly. Clearly, some need a whole raft of procedures, techniques and a truck-load of tools to improve.
However, if a quick fix is all it takes, then so much the better for everyone.
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