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October 13, 2022
Question

Restoring pencil writing

  • October 13, 2022
  • 6 replies
  • 1221 views

My grandmother passed away and I am trying to restore the pencil handwriting on the back of a photo. Any help is appreciated thank you 

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    6 replies

    Myra Ferguson
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 15, 2022

    @kglad I don't know that I did any better than @Semaphoric, but here's what I got using a variety of features which mostly included levels, curves, blend modes, and combining various results and applying more levels, curves, and blend modes:

    kglad
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 15, 2022

    imo, both you ( @Myra Ferguson and @Samantha2657730813h1 ) did a terrific job.  but i wouldn't recommend putting more effort into this, at least, until the op responds.

    Semaphoric
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 14, 2022

    I did a quick attempt with duplicating the Background, running the High Pass filter on it, and setting its blending mode to Linear Light, with a Curves layer above to bump up the contrast on the paper.

    If possible, I would reshoot, propping the print and the camera against something solid, or use a tripod, to get a sharper copy.

     

    kglad
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 14, 2022

    @Semaphoric, wow - good job. (now i feel like i'm prying.)

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 14, 2022

    Do you have access to a scanner? 

     

    I am afraid some of the damage in the upper right quadrant of the sheet may just be too severe to reconstruct the handwriting. 

    kglad
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 14, 2022

    @c.pfaffenbichler, i'm not so sure about that.  this looks worse at the start, https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/how-can-i-enhance-faded-writing/m-p/10066427

     

    but @Myra Ferguson found writing i could barely detect (let alone read) in the original.

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 13, 2022

    I recommend you do a scan at RGB 16bit with a flatbed scanner. 

    But in some particularly affected areas it may come down to guesswork … 

    kglad
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 13, 2022
    Peru Bob
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 13, 2022

    This is the Using the Community forum (which is the forum for issues using the forums).

    Please tell us what Adobe application you are using so that this can be moved to the proper forum for help.