1910-1920 photo restoration

my girlfriend's mom gave me a 'brownie' photo in hope that i can get it digitally restored and cleaned up. the photo is really old and was shot in 1910-1920s. my goal is to add color and clean up the heavy speckles that cover the entire surface. besides the speckles, the photo is in really good shape.

can anyone help with the 'despeckling' part?

If you're using CS2, try the healing brush tool.
In a task like this one tool is never enough. Clone stamp is an option too.

Good luck

[QUOTE=Uniko]If you're using CS2, try the healing brush tool.
In a task like this one tool is never enough. Clone stamp is an option too.

Good luck[/QUOTE]

i have tried that same technique, but when you use the healing brush, doesn't it just sample from the surrounding or selected area? and if the entire photo is speckled, then it should only give me the same result; speckled. maybe that technique works with a combination of techniques applyed prior to.

in my next post, i will include the photo in which i am working on to make elaboration much easier (can't do it now because i am at work).

thanks for your input.

it does, but assuming there are some clear areas you can sample with a smaller brush and use the healing brush at a smaller size. you might also pick a color that's very similar to the area around it and play with blending modes if the healing brush doesnt work.

that sounds a lot more promising; i'll have to apply that technique once i resintall photoshop (it was acting up).

when it comes time to purchase my monthly photoshop user magazine, i'm quick to notice the contest winners, especially for the photo restoration (of classic photos) category. and once i see its selected winner, i flip! there is so much process in the process that it is almost too much to take in all at once.

all in all, wish i were better with photoshop. but with any adobe product, it all takes a truckload of time and patience.

worked on an interesting project like that, ill dig it up and see if i can be of any help on how i did it.

amazing, as usual, is Photoshop User magazine. i have been receiving these mags as part of a promotional offer to new purchasees of the adobe creative suite, and with this months issue, i got the help i had been searching for (color restoration).

so a word to the wize, or those wanting wize advice... buy Photoshop User or join NAPP to get the subscription. who would you rather submit your question to, a non-pro or the pro's?

Has anyone come across a ps plug-in called akvis retoucher? Is it worth buying or can the same results be achieved in cs alone? Any comments/opinions?