Newbie Request for Suggestions
Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 1:22 am
This is my first post and sorry, but yes I realize it is a very open ended and broad request for suggestions.
For initial reference you may want to look at http://www.typicalfrenchkiddies.com and read the introduction. Generally, I have several hundred B/W prints (unfortunately no negs) taken by my grandfather during his World War One duties. Typical of old prints like this, silver has crept to the surface and when scanned these areas reflect the scanner light and I end up with bright / washed out areas.
I would like any suggestions for a set of processes to try to fix these prints as much as possible for possible book publication. I am not a graphics person but expect I am going to have to become one. Therefore the more straightforward the process(es) is, the better it will be for me to pick up. I understand things like dealing with small areas at a time, fixing in layers and recombining etc but have no practical experience doing these so am a bit concerned about the learning curve. The more straightforward the process the better it will probably be for me.
(I do have an "old fashioned" copy stand that I have not yet tried. I am thinking that since I can angle the light bulbs on this stand that I might be able to cut down on the reflections. I would still need to post process on a computer though.)
I have seen products like B/W Styler, Contrast Master, etc mentioned but I'm very inexperienced enough to not know if they would apply in this situation.
I would definitely appreciate even the shortest reply with the hope that any hints might add up in my head and eventually help me through this project.
I do have a copy of PhotoShop 6.0.1 and can of course get GIMP or any other free software. I do not have finances to spare to purchase anything new and I realize this could very likely be a problem.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts anyone is willing to share and if wanted, I can pass on a typical photo for someone to play with.
Paul Hurm
paulhurm@gmail.com
For initial reference you may want to look at http://www.typicalfrenchkiddies.com and read the introduction. Generally, I have several hundred B/W prints (unfortunately no negs) taken by my grandfather during his World War One duties. Typical of old prints like this, silver has crept to the surface and when scanned these areas reflect the scanner light and I end up with bright / washed out areas.
I would like any suggestions for a set of processes to try to fix these prints as much as possible for possible book publication. I am not a graphics person but expect I am going to have to become one. Therefore the more straightforward the process(es) is, the better it will be for me to pick up. I understand things like dealing with small areas at a time, fixing in layers and recombining etc but have no practical experience doing these so am a bit concerned about the learning curve. The more straightforward the process the better it will probably be for me.
(I do have an "old fashioned" copy stand that I have not yet tried. I am thinking that since I can angle the light bulbs on this stand that I might be able to cut down on the reflections. I would still need to post process on a computer though.)
I have seen products like B/W Styler, Contrast Master, etc mentioned but I'm very inexperienced enough to not know if they would apply in this situation.
I would definitely appreciate even the shortest reply with the hope that any hints might add up in my head and eventually help me through this project.
I do have a copy of PhotoShop 6.0.1 and can of course get GIMP or any other free software. I do not have finances to spare to purchase anything new and I realize this could very likely be a problem.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts anyone is willing to share and if wanted, I can pass on a typical photo for someone to play with.
Paul Hurm
paulhurm@gmail.com