help with this photo

[JamesB]

I have a photo I just scanned of my wifes grandmother who passed away several months ago. We want to print this in 8x10 for her grandfather. I tried to edit it and clean it up a bit and fix the focus some, but when I picked up the print today it looks real blurry.

can someone give it a try. its real grainy, scanned in at 1200 dpi, this is the original scan.

I want it cropped just above the 3 lamps on the wall and just below her feet. It needs to be formatted for an 8x10 print

its 1.8mb

http://www.james-benton.com/nena0256.JPG

here is a sample of the crop I would like



Thanks

James

[LoungeLizard]

I am far from being an expert with this, but how's this?

http://loungelizard.smugmug.com/photos/53313427-O.jpg

I duplicated the layer, used Nik Sharpener on that top layer (laser/autoscan), then reduced the opacity of the top layer to about 70%. I then flattened the image, ran Noiseware on it to remove some of the noise, and did a SmartSharpen on it.

Not sure if it's "great" and I know others on this board can do MUCH better, but I just thought I'd try (gave me a break from processing wedding pics!)

[PeteQ]

Here's a couple I quickly tried. One id the entire 8x10 format, the second a 100% crop.

[evil4blue]

Here's my try. Its hard to do any real NR on such a small image so I really only reduced color noise. The luminosity channel is still pretty noisy.

[PeteQ]

Nice work Steve...

[JohnRushing]

I have no ideal what I'm doing but I figured I would give it a shot, good practice if nothing else. Not sure I did any good but here's my attempt.

[evil4blue]

Originally Posted by PeteQ

Nice work Steve...

Thanks, I used your threshold WB trick on this one and then used Photokit sharpener for 35mm scans to sharpen.

[JohnRushing]

Man seeing it larger really shows how much I had the color off. Oh well live and learn.

[PeteQ]

Originally Posted by evil4blue

Thanks, I used your threshold WB trick on this one and then used Photokit sharpener for 35mm scans to sharpen.

I need to get that software. I'll put it on the list....

[Nevyn]

A quick try. I have a full sized file if you want to PM me with your e-mail address.

Still a bit too much noise in some areas (window frames etc - maybe you can selectively blur that down a bit.

[mwhigham]

I used Noise Ninja, then adusted the levels. I made a duplicate layer and did an USM of 150,1.5,0. This is what I got.

[RandySmith]

Here is my version.

The window seemed to be a distraction to me, so anyway here's my quick version:

[Nevyn]

Nice idea with the border, kind of distracts from the noise on the walls doesn't it?

[RandySmith]

Although it is difficult sometimes to do for my "own" photographs, I try to evaluate a photo 1st by composition, then by technical qualities ... if the image is grainy, noisy, poorly exposed ... "BUT" has a great composition and either tells a story or has important emotional value then to "me" that's what makes the photo a keeper. My point being, take the New Orleans disaster for example, look how many people were carrying their family photo albums through the rain and flooded water. Do you think that they will be concerned in a month or two that the images are streaked, water spotted, etc., etc. and NOT technically perfect ?

James - I think your wifes grandfather is going to be very proud and happy that you took the effort to make something special for him, don't get too wrapped up in trying to make it 100% technically perfect. Just my opinion of course.

Randy

[JamesB]

Thanks for all the effort everyone. When my wife gets home I will have her look at these to see which one she likes best.

I know the photo I have will still make her grand father very happy, I just want it to be a little better than what I have been able to produce.

you guys are great!!!!!

James