Restoring an old photo

[windrider86]

This took about 8 different layers to create. One layer was used for noise removal. One for cloning, one for jpg repair (PSP) one layer for scratch removal, one layer for blemish removal, one layer for Gaussian blur and one layer for unsharp mask. I did a few different version of this using sepia or black and white.Each layer was enlarged a great deal to view the imperfections. I purposely left a few in so the image would still have that "old" feeling to it.
The other version can be viewed on my Flickr page.

[jagoble25]

That is a really awesome job you did!

[PamEli]

wow, Great job!

[efovargue]

Did you make the 'after' photo more fuzzy deliberately? - is it possible to sharpen it up a bit?

[Quo Fan]

Personally, I think there is a tad too much blur. I would back it off just a titch.

[vitin2]

In the original photo you could clearly see the eyes. In your restoration the eyes are almost entirely gone. I'm new to restoration but I believe the eyes are a very important part of any portrait.

[Photologyst]

First, what a stunning woman! A great start to restoration.

I agree with the comment regarding the eyes. Those should always be the focus of any portrait, windows of the soul and all that. I would go back and enhance the eyes and that lovely mouth.

It looks as if you “smudge painted” the hair? The pearls are over sharpened to me. There is a coarse, white line on the right side (left of model) of the dress.

I think the sepia tone works better.

Another thing that you could try is a bit of tinting on the cheeks and mouth to make it look old fashioned, hand tinted.

Thanks for the photo.