I made an attempt tonight at trying to save this old and damaged photo as a favor for a family friend. I would think there is probably some software for something like this, but I am not aware of any. This was done in Photoshop, using mostly just the cloning tool, and contrast/brightness. Im not finished yet, but I dont know if Ill know when to quit. I know I cant make it look like new, but there are a couple of areas Im not happy with, mainly the collar of her dress. Its all blotchy, and I dont know how to smooth it out without loosing detail, at least without spending too many hours using the cloning tool. Anyone have any ideas? Also, is there any software designed for old photo restoration, or do I already have it? Any tips for doing this sort of thing would be nice too if anyone has any ideas for improvements. Thanks much!

Well - there IS software for something like this - and it's called...Photoshop! And, as a result, you can se why - great restoration! Esp. the hair portion where there really wasn't anything to clone from (except other regions of hair). Good Job!

Marshall you did an amazing job! The original was extremely damaged...

I am, therefore I create.......
--- michelleamarante.com

Amazing job. Very well done.

Man I think you are done. Ive worked up a few of these, and it is too easy to go overboard with the correction. The only glitch I notice is the hair above the left hand eye. But considering the shape of the original, I defiantly think that you are there. Great job, job, by the way.

I restored a damaged photo once that was no where as tough as your project. The only thing I can suggest is to maybe try and highlight the hair along the edge where the light source is aiming at to give it a more natural look. Not sure how you would do that...maybe a slight touch of dodging(?) Regardless of whether you try that, I'm sure your friend would be ecstatic with the results you have already achieved. I am more than impressed! :)

I've only done a couple of these myself, for friends also... I think you've found out that the main think is taking time over it - and you seem to have done that already coz this is a fabulous job. I think you should stop here - it's a brilliant job as it is. I've seen a few people go too far with restorations and completely lose the feel of the age of the original, purely because they forget that the original image (before aging and damage etc) would have looked far from perfect by todays standards anyways! (",)

Great restortation! You might try a little gaussian blur on the collar, it does a great job of taking out blotchy spots, keep the edge of the collar sharp and it will look like you lost no detail. Sometimes the easiest way to accoplish that look is to create a duplicate layer, use the blur on the top layer then erase the parts that you want to stay sharp. Once done combine the two layers.

Just a freaking amazing job. The original was really in bad shape.

Thanks for all the input. This one was an all nighter, or as we say down south, this one took a six-pack. Watapki, I'll try that blur on the collar and see how it works. My concern is that it may lose what little texture there is and look too smooth. Perhaps just a dash of blur might do it. Thanks all!

Excellent job Marshall, there is nothing better than Photoshop for this kind of thing as showcased by this image!! Agree with Randy re the little gaussian blur on the collar, and the layering technique suggested, maybe a less advanced way is to try the blur tool which can also do a good job. I have some great books to recommend if you need to learn some other ways.

Danny O'Byrne  http://www.digitalartzone.co.uk/

"All the technique in the world doesn't compensate for the inability to notice" Eliott Erwitt

This is great, to say its something you have'nt done on a regular basis!!. You have the best tool in Photoshop. If you want to take it further - look at any books done by Katrin Eismann. Its my Bible!! Dave........:)))

you have done a miraculous job & have made your friend very happy! :] well worth the sleepness night- that blur trick sounds like a good ideal- be interested to see the result-