Squirrel2014
Established Forum Member
Where's that cup of tea ... ???
Posts: 685 
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by Squirrel2014 on Feb 13, 2019 23:07:58 GMT
Hi all
I've not posted for some time but have, when time has allowed, been lurking around ...  I've been working on another 'project' which has been taking up so much of my time for the past few months. So, my apologies for now requesting some help
I have been asked if it's possible to 'enhance' the photo (below) where there is an area of significant over-exposure. I'm not a photographer, so have no idea how this photo is so dark around the over-exposed bit. Maybe poor use of flash, perhaps (at a guess)
However, I've tried to get some 'colour' into this area using Levels, Brightness/Contrast, Hue & Saturation but it seems, to me, that this is an impossible task. My knowledge and experience / techniques etc are sadly very lacking regarding any kind of photo enhancement so it could be that I need directing to a particular technique. I still feel that, as there seems to be absolutely no colour in the focal point of the image, any enhancement will be 'zilch'
Would you either confirm it's not possible or, if possible, how it could be achieved, please? As I've mentioned, I suspect it's not possible 
My friend, who has asked me to help, uses PSE v12, and I have tried in PSE v14.
Many thanks for any help / advice
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Post by Major Major on Feb 13, 2019 23:18:18 GMT
It looks to me like that area is blown out beyond repair if only a jpg is avaiiable. Does your friend have a RAW version by any chance?
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Post by pontiac1940 on Feb 13, 2019 23:25:21 GMT
Hi Squirrel2014 Alas, there is nothing in the blown out areas. See * below. All these points are white. 100% white. Recovery is not possible as there is no detail at all. Most unfortunate. Perhaps others can sprinkle some pixie dust on the image. Good luck. Clive  |
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Post by Bailey on Feb 14, 2019 3:32:09 GMT
I agree with the others.
I opened the image in PSE. I then waved the cursor over the white area and looking at the RGB values in the Information Panel, they are all 255,255,255 (pure white with no detail whatsoever).
You won't be able to recover any detail if jpg is the only format you have.
If you have the original raw file, you might be able to recover some detail if it is there in the raw file.
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Post by Tpgettys on Feb 14, 2019 3:35:17 GMT
Perhaps others can sprinkle some pixie dust on the image.
Not doable, unfortunately. As you demonstrated those areas are pure white, meaning there is simply no information there.
Not quite the same thing, but it reminds me of those TV shows where they zoom in on a completely pixelated image and then magically extrapolate a high-definition image of a face, license plate, etc.
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Post by Bailey on Feb 14, 2019 3:47:29 GMT
[offtopic] Not quite the same thing, but it reminds me of those TV shows where they zoom in on a completely pixelated image and then magically extrapolate a high-definition image of a face, license plate, etc. Yep  The various flavours of the CSI and NCIS franchises comes to mind. [/offtopic] |
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Post by Tpgettys on Feb 14, 2019 4:52:38 GMT
Yep The various flavours of the CSI and NCIS franchises comes to mind.
Them's the ones!
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Squirrel2014
Established Forum Member
Where's that cup of tea ... ???
Posts: 685
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by Squirrel2014 on Feb 14, 2019 22:20:40 GMT
Hi there Apologies for not replying before this. Apart from being busy, I've not had any email notifications for some reason, so I need to check/change the details in my profile. Thanks to you all for all your replies. I really appreciate them. I've just been with my friend and have had chance to discuss this photo. He's shown me the original slide and there is definitely detail on the slide so maybe his 'converter' device is not working as well as it should. It is quite old, I believe. However, I've got a device which I used to digitalised all my parents slides so I've brought a couple of slides home and will see if I can install my device and see what sort of a job it does on these photos. Again, thanks very much for all your comments. I'll post back once I've tried my own converter where, hopefully, there will be good news |
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Post by Bailey on Feb 17, 2019 10:34:24 GMT
Hi Squirrel2014,
The application software that comes with the slide scanner I use (the "scanner" actually takes a photo of the slide) allows me to configure the "scan" before saving it. Hopefully yours does as well which will help maintain details present on the slide image.
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Squirrel2014
Established Forum Member
Where's that cup of tea ... ???
Posts: 685
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by Squirrel2014 on Feb 17, 2019 11:11:10 GMT
Hi Squirrel2014, The application software that comes with the slide scanner I use (the "scanner" actually takes a photo of the slide) allows me to configure the "scan" before saving it. Hopefully yours does as well which will help maintain details present on the slide image. Hi Bailey Thanks for your response.
I've installed my slide scanner device and adjusted the Brightness as much as possible. Although I've got some improvement, it's certainly not sucessful.
Unfortunately, I've not got any batteries for my 'hand held' slide viewer (so rarely use it) but, looking at the slide under a good light, it's clear the detail is there.
So, I'm not sure where to go next, hence your advice, please ...
This is the photo digitalised using my slide scanner. I think you can see the difference between this image and the image posted earlier -
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Post by pontiac1940 on Feb 17, 2019 18:26:15 GMT
I took a quick run at the new scan. However, it is still difficult and there remain areas with no details. Consider taking the slide to a pro scanner and explaining the problems. They might be able to scan the slide and get some details in the bright areas. Good luck, Clive  |
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Post by Sepiana on Feb 17, 2019 18:55:16 GMT
I took a quick run at the new scan. However, it is still difficult and there remain areas with no details.
Clive, you did bring some of the details back. Would you be kind enough to share what technique(s) you used? In this way, it will be a learning experience for the OP and for others who may encounter a similar problem.
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Post by pontiac1940 on Feb 17, 2019 19:13:48 GMT
Fiddle. Fiddle. Fiddle. Fiddle. Fiddle. Fiddle. Fiddle. Fiddle. Fiddle. Fiddle. Fiddle. Fiddle. Fiddle. Fiddle. Fiddle. Oh gosh, Sepaiana. Saved. Opened in ACR [two or three times] and literally fiddled: brought up darks and messed with whites and highlights and more. The EVs across the image vary a lot from near blacks to blown whites. 'Tis a challenge. Squirrel2014, if you get this scanned by a lab, ask them to concentrate on the baby, specifically the face. The seat and legs can be "rescued" but will improve along with the face. The face needs to start as close to "good" as possible..the rest can follow. Clive
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Squirrel2014
Established Forum Member
Where's that cup of tea ... ???
Posts: 685
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by Squirrel2014 on Feb 17, 2019 20:44:31 GMT
Hi Clive and Sepiana
Clive, you've certainly made a difference to the image. Thank you very much for taking the time, and patience, to work on it. Yes, I agree, I think the slide, and the others in a similar position, need to be scanned in by a professional. I shall pass this information (link to thread) on to my friend.
Sepiana, thanks for asking the question of 'how'. It's very helpful to hear how Clive achieved this improvement
A further option would be to simply project the image onto a screen and take a photo. Although potentially not as 'professional' , this may be sufficient for the purpose, of course. Certainly, I feel this would be interesting to be able to compare the outcomes, eh?
Hopefully, I'll see the result of a professional scanner, and should be able to post the result.
Again, I really appreciate all your input
Julie
Many thanks to you all, for all your suggestions and advice
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Post by Bailey on Feb 17, 2019 22:46:19 GMT
Hi Bailey Thanks for your response.
... So, I'm not sure where to go next, hence your advice, please ... Hi squirrel2014, Although you have extracted more detail, most of the remaining white area is still rgb 255,255,255 or very close to it so you still won't be able to recover much more. If the detail on the actual slide is still greater than the second image you posted then I would try more tinkering with the scanner adjustments/configuration to see if a little more detail can be retained in the scan. After that what I normally do is try some of the more common post processing techniques to enhance scanned images: In PSE try one or more of the following not in any particular order - 1. duplicate the layer and set the duplicate's blending mode to Multiply. (Screen blending mode to lighten under-exposed images) 2. Use various adjustment layers (Levels,Brightness/Contrast, Hue/Saturation etc) with or without masking on appropriate elements in the image. 3. Adjust shadows/highlights with or without masking on appropriate elements in the image.
4. Try cloning or healing the blown out skin tones from other elements in the image. (In this image, most probably will be tedious to maintain a realistic look)
5. Open the jpg in ACR and adjust the various sliders to try to extract detail and enhance the image.
hth |
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I've been working on another 'project' which has been taking up so much of my time for the past few months. So, my apologies for now requesting some help 
