Ink removal from vintage photograph

Discussion in 'Photo Restoration' started by kingarthur, Dec 30, 2010.

  1. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Does anybody have any suggestions for removing ink from a photograph of 60+ years old without damaging it.

    Regards
     
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Dave
    Why not just scan and photoshop it?
     
  3. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Thanks to the actions of a deranged 3 year old a while back, I found it can be done with Isopropyl & extremely gentle/cautious dabbing with cotton wool.

    BUT!
    I'd think twice before trying it Dave. Lots of scope for completely trashing the original, and if it's printed on a matt finish paper or is particularly precious I wouldn't even start.

    Big blotch? Or writing etc?
    I'd go with what D says, get it scanned at a decent resolution before trying. Might be something one of us can clean up with the magic pencil?
    Certainly get a decent scan as a backup before trying any restoration.

    (Obviously, I don't know what it is, or where the picture's from, but have you dug about to see if there might be a usable negative of the print knocking about?)
     
  4. Rav4

    Rav4 Senior Member

    Could it be fixed with PhotoShop? If you think it possible try posting it.
     
  5. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    I'd go along with a digital solution.

    DONT touch the original !!!!!!

    Scan it and get it onto your computer in as many versions as posible.

    Transfer the results to a flash card or any such storage device and take it to a good photographer
    (You will know if they are good when you have seen previous stuff they have restored).

    Trust me........ that is the way you should be going.

    Ron.
     
  6. Nicola_G

    Nicola_G Senior Member

    I would agree Dave, digitals probably the best way. I don't know what your skill level is like in Photoshop, but I can do it for you if you send me the scan. Scan it at 600-1200 dpi to ensure there is scope when I'm retouching. PM me and I will send you my email address.
     
  7. jef

    jef Junior Member

    Yes, I'am a student photography. And please don't try anything with the original. Like Nicola says, make a digital copy (.tiff) at the highest resolution and make a restoration in Photoshop.
     
  8. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Received and understood, would anybody care to offer there services, I don't have photoshop myself.

    Many thanks for the replies, certainly no ambiguity there with what needs to be done.

    Cheers
     
  9. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    I would agree Dave, digitals probably the best way. I don't know what your skill level is like in Photoshop, but I can do it for you if you send me the scan. Scan it at 600-1200 dpi to ensure there is scope when I'm retouching. PM me and I will send you my email address.


    Just seen your kind offer Nic,will pm you.
     
  10. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Thanks to the actions of a deranged 3 year old a while back, I found it can be done with Isopropyl & extremely gentle/cautious dabbing with cotton wool.

    BUT!
    I'd think twice before trying it Dave. Lots of scope for completely trashing the original, and if it's printed on a matt finish paper or is particularly precious I wouldn't even start.

    Big blotch? Or writing etc?
    I'd go with what D says, get it scanned at a decent resolution before trying. Might be something one of us can clean up with the magic pencil?
    Certainly get a decent scan as a backup before trying any restoration.

    (Obviously, I don't know what it is, or where the picture's from, but have you dug about to see if there might be a usable negative of the print knocking about?)

    Certainly no chance of a negative was taken in Italy 1943. Nicola has kindly offered her services so will send it over to her to look at.

    My wife has kindly agreed to me using our dining room for putting up all my grandfathers war time photographs, his medals and memorabilia (as long as I redecorate,that is):lol:

    Ive also obtain some excellent framed prints of Arnhem that I want to display. It will be my own little museum project, something for family and friends to marvel over whilst dining at one of my many culinary soiree's:lol:
     
  11. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Dave if the original isn't too badly ink-stained, how about having it framed it alongside the photoshopped version? Your very own kind of then and now :D
     
  12. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    KINGARTHUR,"something for family and friends to marvel over whilst dining at one of my many culinary soiree's:lol:". I would love to come to dinner Dave, :D just dont ask what that bulge in my coat is when im leaving ;) :lol:
     
  13. PsyWar.Org

    PsyWar.Org Archive monkey

    Presuming we're talking about a black & white photo with blue ink stain? If so, a quick tip to help with the digital retouching, scan the photo in colour. Then by copying, say the Red colour channel into a new greyscale image, much of the ink will magically disappear from the image ;-)

    Lee
     
  14. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    KINGARTHUR,"something for family and friends to marvel over whilst dining at one of my many culinary soiree's:lol:". I would love to come to dinner Dave, :D just dont ask what that bulge in my coat is when im leaving ;) :lol:


    Suit you sir:lol::lol::lol:
     
  15. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Dave if the original isn't too badly ink-stained, how about having it framed it alongside the photoshopped version? Your very own kind of then and now :D


    I may just do that, good suggestion:)
     
  16. Nicola_G

    Nicola_G Senior Member

    Presuming we're talking about a black & white photo with blue ink stain? If so, a quick tip to help with the digital retouching, scan the photo in colour. Then by copying, say the Red colour channel into a new greyscale image, much of the ink will magically disappear from the image ;-)

    Lee

    I will bear that in mind Lee :)
     
  17. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Presuming we're talking about a black & white photo with blue ink stain? If so, a quick tip to help with the digital retouching, scan the photo in colour. Then by copying, say the Red colour channel into a new greyscale image, much of the ink will magically disappear from the image ;-)

    Lee


    Thanks for the advice Lee,Im passing it over to Nicola. G,she's a photographer and I'm a numpty,best leave to complicated stuff to her me thinks.:lol:
     
  18. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Get the scan on here, let's see some competitive spirit ;).
     
  19. Nicola_G

    Nicola_G Senior Member

    Pixels at dawn Adam? Who will be your second? lol
     
  20. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Thanks to the actions of a deranged 3 year old a while back, .

    It's in the genes Adam, you can't fight it. Learning to live with it is the only option. :)
     

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