A 96 yr old photo in need of some digital TLC

Discussion in 'Photo Restoration' started by Jonathan Ball, Feb 11, 2011.

  1. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    I picked this up on ebay for 99p as I couldn't resist giving an old photo a good home. At present I'm trying to identify the unit but I was wondering if it was possible in some way to digitally repair the edges of the photo? I could just crop the image using my iphoto software but it would be fun to see if anyone has any ideas.

    For anyone interested the photo is inscribed on the back with 'Amritsur 1915'

    Thanks

    Jonathan
     

    Attached Files:

  2. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Very nice old photo.,looking forward to seeing the finished result.
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Cheers Jonathan

    Its a shame your can't see the shoulder titles more clearly-The PTI Lance Jack bottom right looks the best bet.
     
  4. Nicola_G

    Nicola_G Senior Member

    I think, after a brief glimpse, that you might be able to rebuild some of the building behind etc. Will take a better look and let you know.
     
  5. Nicola_G

    Nicola_G Senior Member

    Yes you should be able to rebuild it by cloning from other areas. The damage can also be repaired and shouldn't cost too much. The photo is in amazing condition given its age. PM me and I will give you a price if you are interested. I offer a retouching service which Dave attest to.
     
  6. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    Amritsur is in the Punjab, unlike Amritsar - home of the temple and infamous 1919 massacre.

    Shame the officers cap badge is so small - cant see any other clues in there.

    Green Howards were in the Punjab then, but it could also be British Indian Army, although lack of Indian soldiers would suggest British Army.

    Seller couldnt help, I take it?

    Pete
     
  7. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Thanks for the ideas.

    I'm trying to enlarge the cap badge and the Lance Jack Andy pointed out without losing too much in resolution, so far without much success.
     
  8. lancer3397

    lancer3397 Junior Member

    find attached a VERY fast and dirty fix to show you what Photoshop can do.

    I didn't really go in and fix all the nitrate dots on the soldiers as I was going cross eyed, but you can see what can be done.

    if you have it as a higher scan I can have a stab at it if you want.
     

    Attached Files:

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  9. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The rupert in the middle has a cap badge visible on his hat. The junior's with the weird lanyards may be a clue as well and particular to a specific regiment. The seniors with black sashes are just orderly Sgt's.

    Edit:

    Sorry I missed the officer comments first time around.
     
  10. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Lancer, or is it indeed Vincent?

    The quick restoration job you have done is truly fantastic. How fast is your very fast??
     
  11. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Ha, serve me right for wandering off and having my tea after my weaker effort :rolleyes:.

    jonphot2.jpg-edges.jpg

    I came to the same conclusion as Lancer; needs to be a higher res scan Jonathan, to make fuller tidying worthwhile.
     
  12. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Adam

    Thank you for what you have done it's great. The original photo is only 5" x 3" and I would like to frame a copy at the size it is here. I'm not very technically savvy as most but when I did scan it I saved at the highest possible quality/resolution setting for a Jpeg image. I'm trying to see if I can improve the quality. Anyone else got a Mac and knows how?

    I've added the scan of the photo at it's original size. I don't know if this helpsor not but I thought it wise to include.
     

    Attached Files:

  13. lancer3397

    lancer3397 Junior Member

    my fast and dirty was 30 minutes.

    re the scanning, what you need to do when scanning the image is not focus on selecting a size. what you're wanting to do is scan at a certain DPI.

    print quality is normally 300dpi.

    it's the DPI that determines the image size. 150dpi at least is what you should be aiming for.
     
  14. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Thanks Lancer. I understand now. I've rescanned the image in post #12 to 150dpi as suggested.
     
  15. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    If anyone is at all interested I posted the photo on the GWF with regards to the identification of the men. The following is a very interesting post from Dave...

    It is my understanding, although I happy to be corrected if I am mistaken, that the WOs' and Sgts of the Somerset Light Infantry had the unique distinction of wearing their sashes over their left shoulder and tied on the right side as in the photo above; whilst those of all other regiments and corps wore it on the opposite side.
     
  16. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  17. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Thanks Owen I'd taken a look. Either the 2nd or 1/4th or 2/4th or 1/5th or 2/5th. It would be nice to know if the point about the sash over the left shoulder was correct.

    Updated: This is from wikipedia and confirmed by the source used..

    A distinction unique to the regiment was that the warrant officers and sergeants wore their sashes over the left shoulder and tied on the right side, in the same manner as officers. This commemorated the regiment's stand at Culloden, where the large number of casulties to officers led to the sergeants taking command.[2][6] This was authorised in 1865, although appears to have been worn earlier without authority. In 1898 officers of all regiments were ordered to wear the sash knotted on the left side, with the exception of the Somerset Light Infantry who were permitted to continue with the knot on the right.[56]
     
  18. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    I've been sent a photo of the 2/Somersets from India as a comparison photo. I can't help feeling that the Officer in the centre of the front row looks uncannily like the Officer in my photo. Wishful thinking?
     

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  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    She that must be obeyed says no.

    Well done though on IDing the Regt etc. Has anyone mentioned about those rather large lanyard type things on the juniors? They do look a bit POSH.
     
  20. Rav4

    Rav4 Senior Member

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