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Evergreen7
Evergreen7
Participant
January 4, 2017
Answered

How do I correct old photos that have MAJOR yellowing?

  • January 4, 2017
  • 6 replies
  • 4621 views

I have a stack of very old photos that all have the same yellowing issue.  I've tried adjusting the red, yellow and green levels individually and it helped but I'm thinking there is probably a better way?  I've attached an example.  Can anyone give me the steps to apply to get this photo looking somewhat normal? 

Thanks for any help!

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Terri Stevens

    It think you would fair better creating a B/W image and if required try tinting with color by hand.

    6 replies

    Evergreen7
    Evergreen7Author
    Participant
    January 4, 2017

    Thank you!  I appreciate the feedback!  I'm going to give it a shot with b/w and maybe hand painting.  Thanks again!

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 4, 2017

    Like Terri said

    When the colour has gone as much as this I would go for black and white or a hand coloured - black and white approach

    Dave

      Terri Stevens
      Terri Stevens
      Legend
      January 4, 2017

      That is extremely good Dave. Who would believe the original could be turned into that?

      davescm
      Community Expert
      davescmCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 4, 2017

      Cheers Terri - bit rough and ready to be honest as I was in a rush.

      I also realised I did not post how..... so, it was:

      A black and white conversion

      Then a new layer above with blending mode set to colour.

      Then paint away .......

      Dave

      E
      edgrimley
      Participating Frequently
      January 4, 2017

      Like has been said already your best bet is B&W. I did this using a ton of adjustment layers...

      Terri Stevens
      Terri StevensCorrect answer
      Legend
      January 4, 2017

      It think you would fair better creating a B/W image and if required try tinting with color by hand.

        K´mo
        K´mo
        Participating Frequently
        January 4, 2017

        Yes the colors are mostly gone and perhaps BW or some toning with it gives more pleasant results. I took the method to use Camera Raw filter, first I made the image a smart object. I came with this with a quick tryout

        You can see big difference between different areas and those could be processed further. But like this you get some colors

        ACR settings:

        I also had a mild levels-layer with previous image so the result is not identical but this gives you my idea.

        Mohammad.Harb
        Community Expert
        Mohammad.HarbCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        January 4, 2017

        One way :

        First , Apply   image -> Auto Tone   ) ctrl + shiftt + L , you will get this result

        then convert it to sepia toning , from Hue/ saturation  ( ctrl + U )

        hope this will Help,

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