Photography
Related: About this forumAnother evolution of a family heirloom
Yesterday, moonshinegnomie demonstrated the application of the new Topaz Photo AI tool with his photo of the ISS. Over the past few months I was lucky to have been part of the beta testing for this new software. One of the most astounding new features is something for the enhancement of faces.
I don't do people photography, but tested it on my Uncle Roy heirloom photo. He was a radioman on the Enterprise during the war, not with the Klingons, someone else. But I digress.
This first photo is the original print, the second, with the software applied. I cleaned up all the surroundings manually, repairing the tear and removing the stain and dirt. I did not touch the face, the software did that.
The third photo is with auto color applied in PS. I need to do a little more cleanup on the neck yet. Which do you like best for framing, the old or the newest? I lean toward leaving it aged.
I will be adding this to my "Reconstruction" gallery at smugmug.
Srkdqltr
(6,271 posts)The third is too polished for a vintage picture.
What is it about the hat that looks wrong?
3catwoman3
(23,973 posts)I agree with you about finding the second photo the most appealing - tidied up but still looks old.
HAB911
(8,888 posts)I was conflicted to make the stripes match the hat or the hat match the stripes. Will go with the latter.
HAB911
(8,888 posts)the hat, on the print is dirty and cleaning it and getting any texture is difficult for me
3catwoman3
(23,973 posts)It has the soft look of an aged photo, yet is cleaned up enough to look refreshed.
The bottom one looks a little harsh.
PatSeg
(47,410 posts)I'm leaning a bit toward the last photo. The 2nd one without the added color has a bit of an artificial look to it, rather like a mannequin.
That is really impressive considering how much time I've spent trying to restore faded old photographs.
HAB911
(8,888 posts)PatSeg
(47,410 posts)You certainly brought that photo to life, which has always been my main motivation when working on old photos. Such a great photo to work on.
Thunderbeast
(3,406 posts)Before the advent of high quality color film, my mother would use oil paint, and cotton to colorize black and white photo prints producing the soft images. She was VERY GOOD at it.
While "natural color" film and processing saved a ton of work for both parents, I always preferred the artistry of the colorized photos.
PatSeg
(47,410 posts)photos with oil paints when I was a teenager. I loved the look of the studio tinted photos, like you said, the colors were very soft and appealing.
CANADIANBEAVER69
(339 posts)but agree with other posts that the hat has no definition and is too stark white
MichaelSoE
(1,576 posts)but it's just my preference. Nice job on both.
Biophilic
(3,645 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(149,593 posts)There are attractive features in all three photos.
But I'm drawn towards the last one. The face's reality just leaps out at me. Excellent work.
Thank you for sharing them all!
moonshinegnomie
(2,440 posts)moonshinegnomie
(2,440 posts)this is a before and after shot of an old out of focus shot
HAB911
(8,888 posts)PatSeg
(47,410 posts)I've noticed some restored and colorized photos where I think they may have used this software. The problem is some of images don't look so much like photos anymore, but illustrations. It is such a fine line between improving a photo and making it look artificial. I think some people get a bit carried away.
That amazing what it did for your old photo!
Grumpy Old Guy
(3,159 posts)So far, I think it's great.