Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 4/16/2009

Question
I have a more than 20 years old color photograph (my own as a child). It has got a semitransparent violet colored coating now. After scanning, the picture is still visible but not much comprehensible.  

Is there any way I recover this image? As the picture is not completely visible, it is difficult to determine what pixels are there.

Even partial recovery will do, please suggest something. I have intermediate knowledge of PhotoShop, not a beginner but not an expert also. I work as a JAVA programmer.  

Answer
Hi Lerry,

I would scan this at the highest settings possible making sure to crop closely so the scanner does not adjust this further. Then use the Auto Levels setting when you bring it into Photoshop. Normally I tell people to avoid this, but if the image is this far gone, then at least this will try to bring something back.

Thanks

Kevin