RED to normal

[Mark Kohnitz]

I have a number of photos that were scanned from slides. These images are 50 or more years old and the slides degraded to this majorly red-colored shift. How do I recover them to some degree of "normal"? Just need a few suggestions to set me on the right path.

[kevin stohlmeyer]

You can do a combination of manual and auto adjusting using adjustment layers.

Add a Levels adjustment layer as the top layer, then click "Auto" to start.

You can then fine tune using the individual color channels in the Levels layer.

These are a bit extreme, so auto may not be able to do much.

IMO I would convert these with a black and white adjustment layer and convert them to grayscale.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

If the scanning is still going on two recommendations:

• Scan 16bit and

• do NOT save them as jpgs. 

Edit: Though none of those will noticably help with the Color Correction itself. 

[Jumpenjax]

You can choose adjustments>curves and reduce the red going to the channel red and pull down the line until you are happy with the adjustment.

[Norman Sanders]

I believe trying to return this image to authentic color is a lost cause. Rather, I suggest you convert each into a grayscale image or a duotone.  (This quick sample used Image > Adjustments > Black & White followed by a Curve adjustment. I believe local Dodging and Burning would improve the result.)

[davescm]

Hi

I would probably go for Black and White - perhaps with a tint.

However if you really want some colour then start with a fairly aggressive curve adjustment on the individual channels.

Then add some hand coloring using a soft brush on a layer set to Color blend mode

Dave