undo photo filter without original file

[jeannew62076792]

My son's wedding photographer was a mistake. She applied filters to several of the best photos without saving the original versions! I want to recolor one that she faded and (maybe) applied sepia to. Here is the one I have that needs to be recolored:

Here is the color the way it was originally:

Can this be done? If so, how?

Thanks a million! Jeanne

[Derek Cross]

If you have the original memory card and the pics have not been overwritten it may be possible to retrieve them. But it's a cautionary tale to always save a copy of your original photographs!

CardRecovery Download - Photo Recovery from Memory Card

[jeannew62076792]

No, I don't have the original card, unfortunately. Yeah, this photographer was a really let down. I would NEVER save my work to the original file. Ugh!

[sishamIAGD · Accepted solution]

You could get it close using 'Match Color'.

If you have both files open in Photoshop and then with the one with the discoloration go to Image>Adjustments>Match Color...

Select source:

Then make slight adjustments to the Luminance/Color Intensity/Fade you should be able to get pretty close to the original colors.

It may take a few attempts to get it near what you want but worth a go.

Let us know how you get on?

[jeannew62076792]

Thanks. I have tried that multiple times. I really wasn't getting close. I think the edited version is so desaturated that the color match output hasn't enough to work with. I always wind up with significant hot spots. I appreciate the suggestion - I at least know that I was on the right track! I will keep playing with it. What a shame that the photographer wasn't professional enough to save all the originals separately and only play with copies!

[Derek Cross]

Presumably the photographer didn't shoot the originals in RAW, (and save your copies as JPGs) as changes applied to the RAW format images are non-destructive.

[sishamIAGD]

It is a very big shame that the photographer hasn't worked on copies of the original files, especially it being such a special occasion and one that can't be taken again. Very poor show by the photographer.

I really hope you can get near what you want.

[josephlavine]

Once you get a workable solution, whether it be using Color Match or another sequence, make sure to save the process as an Action so you can apply it to the remainder of the images.

[shumicse]

Its just needed some basic adjustment in brightness/contrast!