IMPROVE YOUR OLD PHOTOGRAPHS No.3

Combining computer technology and principles of painting.

This is a photograph of a local dignitary that hung on a very light effected wall for twenty or more years. As you can see it is very faded and any blue/green has faded out completely.

The first move was to scan it into adobe photoshop and remove all color. In other words convert it to a 'greyscale' format.

Next I applied contrast and then converted it back to 'RGB' or a 'color' file since I nedded to add color. I added color using 'color adjust' and 'variations'.

Next I used masks and more color controls to vary certain elements.
Then I removed the background and applied a diagonal brown/gold color gradient from the top left to the bottom right.
I needed to touch up the result by adding a little rouge to the cheeks, sparkle to the eyes, depth to some of the shadows and generally to work the portrait up just as if I were doing a conventional portrait in paint.
The result you can see below.

The final print size was 18" by 14", printed with a wide format epson printer, on canvas, with pigment inks and varnished before re-framing and replacing on the wall.To see the real thing and how I present it in a commercial setting go HERE to my ebay gem store and look to the presentation of the rubies!

GO TO .... painting clothing
menu