Another evolution of a family heirloom

[HAB911]

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.

[niyad]

1. KNR

[Srkdqltr]

2. Ok I'm A casual observer. I like the second one best.

The third is too polished for a vintage picture.

What is it about the hat that looks wrong?

[3catwoman3]

3. I think the hat is too white.

I agree with you about finding the second photo the most appealing - tidied up but still looks old.

[HAB911]

5. the hat and stripes should be the same

I was conflicted to make the stripes match the hat or the hat match the stripes. Will go with the latter.

[HAB911]

7. I have difficulty with recovering texture

the hat, on the print is dirty and cleaning it and getting any texture is difficult for me

[3catwoman3]

4. The second photo is the most appealing.

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]

6. That is amazing

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. thank you! Check out my first attempt if you haven't seen it

https://www.democraticunderground.com/103693708

[PatSeg]

13. Really nice

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]

9. My father was a portrait photographer.

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]

20. My father taught me how to colorize

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]

10. I do like the third one...

but agree with other posts that the hat has no definition and is too stark white

[MichaelSoE]

11. Definitely the 3rd. The correction to the white balance rendered the skin tones to a healthy glow

but it's just my preference. Nice job on both.

[Biophilic]

12. I like them all, but I feel like I'm most likely to actually meet the 3rd one.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. My dear HAB911...

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]

15. im going to have to try it on some old family photos

[moonshinegnomie]

16. just tested it. wow....

this is a before and after shot of an old out of focus shot

[HAB911]

17. getting close to magic

[PatSeg]

19. That is really impressive

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!

[Karadeniz]

18. #3

[Grumpy Old Guy]

21. I've been trying PhotoAI too.

So far, I think it's great.