* Photo Editing Software

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PyreneesPirate
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Photo Editing Software

Post by PyreneesPirate »

Hello All,

I am in the process of scanning lots of old family black and white photos and saving them in a directory on my laptop. Some of these photos need attention, scratches, pen marks and general fading etc.

I am sure that many of the FHUG have already been through this process.........What type of software do you use to edit and enhance old photos?

Any relevant info on this subject would be very much appreciated?

All the best
PP
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Gowermick
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Re: Photo Editing Software

Post by Gowermick »

Being a tightwad by nature, I always look for opensource software. The one I use for managing photos etc is GIMP (General Image Manipulation Program). It is a sophisticated program, and does most thing you may want to do. Do a Google search for Gimp2.
Mike Loney

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http://www.mickloney.tribalpages.com
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GeneSniper
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Re: Photo Editing Software

Post by GeneSniper »

Another 2 options are Paintshop Pro and Photoshop Elements, you can download trial versions before you commit to a purchase if GowerMicks suggestion of GIMP2 is not for you. I can't give any advice as I haven't used any of these for many years and as with most software like this they can become bloated and unusable over many years. My preference was Paintshop Pro when I used it for my photography, but as I said many years ago.
William

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Jane
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Re: Photo Editing Software

Post by Jane »

Personally I use an old copy of Photoshop Elements (10), but the others are fine.

If you are scanning, you might also want to make sure you use the best options with the scanner, especially for faded photos as adjusting in the scanner software can make a huge difference.

This site looks dated but the information is still good
https://www.scantips.com/
Jane
My Family History : My Photography "Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad."
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tatewise
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Re: Photo Editing Software

Post by tatewise »

There are several popular ones listed in fhugdownloads:graphics|> Downloads and Links ~ Graphics Packages.

My favourite is IrfanView which with all its Plugins does much more than just photo editing, and it is free.
Mike Tate ~ researching the Tate and Scott family history ~ tatewise ancestry
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jimlad68
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Re: Photo Editing Software

Post by jimlad68 »

Scanning:
<> scan high dpi, you can always reduce later

<> save to *.png file or other lossless format, that way you can re-edit later with much less loss in quality.

<> best tip I stumbled upon, especially for faded or over/under exposure:
- most scanners give you the option to preview (usually quick but lower quality); check out the histogram:
- COLOUR For each colour channel, red, green blue (NOT Master), drag the left slider to where the "spikey bit" starts, then the right slider left to where the "spikey bit" ends.
- you can also adjust the middle slider to give emphasis to one side.
- GREYSCALE is much easier, just the Master to adjust.
- for example for Canon scangear see 1/2 way down this page "Adjusting Histogram"
https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/index? ... =ART142958

<> you can do similar with levels in most/any photo-editing software, but if you do it up front when scanning, saves messing later, also, you get a much better "original scan"

<> don't ask me to explain this, I just know it works for me, I have recovered some very poor prints and negatives.
Jim Orrell - researching: see - but probably out of date https://gw.geneanet.org/jimlad68
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DavidNewton
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Re: Photo Editing Software

Post by DavidNewton »

Given that the aim is very specific, the restoration of old black and white photographs, it is probably worth looking for specialised software. The following link https://windowsreport.com/old-photo-res ... -software/ might be worth a look.

David
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fugu68
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Re: Photo Editing Software

Post by fugu68 »

I use Akvis retoucher from the list David mentions. I’ve had excellent results removing scratches, tears etc. and got up to speed with it very quickly. It’s not exactly cheap, but works well - I think there is a trial version available.
Andrew Slater: researching Slater and Lewis.
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PyreneesPirate
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Re: Photo Editing Software

Post by PyreneesPirate »

Many thanks to you all for your prompt and informative posts, I REALLY appreciate it!!

It looks like after finishing my mammoth conversion of Witnesses with Mike T the other day (thanks for your help Mike!), I will be trialling a few Photo software packages soon!!

Thanks again to all and keep safe and healthy.

Best wishes
PP
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laz_gen
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Re: Photo Editing Software

Post by laz_gen »

Can I suggest a freeware program called Faststone Image Viewer.

I find it an excellent image viewer plus it has various editing features to adjust colour, btightness, contrast etc.

It also has a scanner feature so scanning images directly into the program is possible

https://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm
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dahliarose
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Re: Photo Editing Software

Post by dahliarose »

I've been using Photoshop Elements for many years and find it does everything I need to do. I recently took advantage of a special offer to upgrade to Photoshop Elements 2022 which allows me to colorise old photos.
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