Restoring An Ancestor’s Photo In Photoshop CC

Restored heritage photo
Before/After Restored Photo

It’s been a while since I last made a post about photography. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere on the site, I’ve been learning how to retouch and restore photographs in Lightroom and Photoshop CC for some time now.

Having completed two online courses specifically about photo restoration, I wanted to test my skills in restoring an actual heritage family photo. The photo that I chose to work on is a copy of an ambrotype (a successor process to the better-known daguerreotype). This particular image is of my great-great-grandfather, Isaac (ca. 1850s). Thanks to my cousin Jon for the scan!

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Diva Challenge #256 – Artoo and Boo-Kee

Diva Challenge #256 Entry
Tile for Diva Challenge #256 (Tangles: Artoo, Boo-Kee)

The Diva’s challenge for this week is to create a duotangle using the patterns Artoo and Boo-Kee. Both tangles were originated by Laura and named after her two sons. Step outs are available here and here.

I enjoyed learning these two tangles. Thanks to the Diva for another fun challenge!

Diva Challenge #254 – Valentangle

Diva Challenge #254 Entry
Tile for Diva Challenge #254 (Tangles: Heartstrings, Lolo, Scrolled Heart)

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, the Diva’s challenge for the week is to create a valentine-themed tangle. Anything goes, as long as it is consistent with the theme. Colors may be added as well!

I decided to go with a heart shaped string, and filled it with Heartstrings by Helen Williams. Afterwards I surrounded the heart with a line of Lolo by CZT Hsin-Ya Hsu. Lastly, I added a single Scrolled Heart (also by Helen Williams) at the top.

As always, thank you to the Diva for another enjoyable challenge. I wish everyone a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

Diva Challenge #253 – Molygon

Diva Challenge #253 Entry
Tile for Diva Challenge #253 (Tangle: Molygon)

Molygon was recently announced as the newest tangle in the official Zentangle newsletter from Rick and Maria. To give tanglers an opportunity to try out this brand new pattern, the Diva has selected it for this week’s Diva Challenge #253. A step out is available here. To keep up with the latest news, be sure to sign up to receive the official Zentangle newsletter here.

I found Molygon to be both easy and not so easy. The shape is simple (like a crescent moon), and yet not so simple. The main things to keep in mind are, I think, the spacing you want between the shapes, as well as how large and thick you want the shapes to be.

For my tile I wanted sort of a kaleidoscopic feel, and to evoke the image of a flower. For better or worse, this is what I came up with. On a special, personal note I want to say that my daughter (a college student) watched me shading my tile, and then asked if I would give it to her to keep. She said she loved the floral look! This made me amazingly happy, and of course I gave her the tile when I was finished. Ah, the power and serenity to Zen!