5 Replies Latest reply: Nov 3, 2013 8:05 AM by trshaner RSS

    How to recreate this effect?

    mrQQ Community Member

      Hi,

       

      so lately i've been scanning a lot of old photos and negatives. I usually review them with xnView.

       

      Many of these films/photos have faded. They are very redish and not very lifelike.

       

      In xnView, there is an awesome shortcut - ctrl+alt+l - automatic levels. This get rid of red effect and all the age, and makes photo very natural.

       

      In Lightroom, howver, clicking "auto" keeps all the red and doesn't get rid of the age.

       

      How can I get the same effect, that is, get rid of photo fading in LR?

       

      Thanks!

        • 1. Re: How to recreate this effect?
          Todd-Russell Community Member

          Use the Tone Curve in 'Point Curve' mode (click on the curve icon next to Point Curve:). Next Drag the end points of the curve inward horizontally until they touch the ends of the Histogram. This is what "auto levels" does. Make sure you keep the end points on their 0 and 100 vertical axis and only drag them in horizontally. Then you can use LRs other controls as you would normally.

           

          If there is a tint to the image you can also adjust the Tone Curve individual Red, Green, and Blue point curves, by selecting them next to Channel. Follow the above procedure for each channel separately to remove or modify the tint (i.e. sepia). When using the individual R, G, B channels make sure to reset the main Tone Curve RGB channel back to its 0/0 and 100/100 positions.  Watch the Histogram and overlap the separate R, G, B channels as close as possible as one curve. This will give you the best "starting point" for using the rest of LR's controls.

           

          Message was edited by: Todd-Russell Added Histogram detail.

          • 2. Re: How to recreate this effect?
            mrQQ Community Member

            This indeed is close to what needs to be done.

             

            However, why doesn't "auto" do this already? Doing it manually for each photo is very time consuming..

            • 3. Re: How to recreate this effect?
              JimHess Community Member

              The algorithm for the auto setting isn't tuned for faded, old photos. It's not tuned for anything that I'm able to use. I don't use auto. If you are finding consistent settings that work, create a preset and include only those settings that affect what you are adjusting. Then you can apply that preset to each image. Of course, there might be some additional tweaking to get it just right. But the preset can provide a good starting point.

              • 4. Re: How to recreate this effect?
                peter at knowhowpro Community Member

                Good suggestions. I'd add that mrQQ and others who spend time developing good presets for specialty purposes, like coping with aged, faded, and scolored scans and copies, share them by posting them on an Adobe forum where they're available for exchange among users.

                 

                 

                Regards,

                 

                 

                Peter

                _______________________

                Peter Gold

                KnowHow ProServices

                 

                JimHess wrote:

                 

                The algorithm for the auto setting isn't tuned for faded, old photos. It's not tuned for anything that I'm able to use. I don't use auto. If you are finding consistent settings that work, create a preset and include only those settings that affect what you are adjusting. Then you can apply that preset to each image. Of course, there might be some additional tweaking to get it just right. But the preset can provide a good starting point.

                • 5. Re: How to recreate this effect?
                  trshaner Community Member

                  LR is designed primarily for processing digital camera images. The controls (such as 'Auto' Tone) are " optimized" for that purpose and attempt to "automatically" set ALL of the Basic Tone controls.

                   

                  You can "selectively" apply the Auto Tone functions individually. In the LR Basic panel hold down the SHIFT key and double-click on any of the Tone Controls, which will apply the same setting as using the 'Auto' button, but just that single control.

                   

                  To achieve the same function as PS 'Auto Levels' use SHIFT and double-click on 'Whites' and then 'Blacks' controls. Yes it takes two steps, but it should help to establish the White and Black clipping points for your faded image scans.

                   

                  For B&W negatives or prints you might also try using the B&W mode in the HSL / Color / B&W panel or under 'Treatment' in the Basic panel. I find using the B&W mode with LR's Preferences> Presets> 'Apply auto mix when first converting to back and white' checked works quite well. You can also apply one of LR's B&W presets for Sepia or other color effect or create your own 'Split Toning' preset.