Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 6/17/2010

Question
QUESTION: i have photo and computer experience but ive never used
photoshop, elements, gimp, etc. to modify a photo or a print.

attached is an airmail envelope from the the time of the 1968
olympics from mexico. photoaging has faded the date on this and a couple others. ideally i want to reprint '68' on the original
in the same font style as the rest of the postmark but ill settle for a color photocopy. im sure this is simple. i hear that
elememnts7 which is about 20 bucks can do simple stuff same as photoshop for 100smore. some say freeware like gimp, etc. can easily handle it. i dont have time to learn it all now. i hope to fix this in a few hours or days. i just need brief instructions. im quite coherent. i dont need a walk thru in person. attached is a .jpeg of the original hardcopy with personal data brushed out with win paint. ill buy elements 7
if thats the fastest way to get expert advice instead or pore over a dozen tutorials. sure later i want to become proficient.
now i just want to redo this item. thanks for youyr attention.

ANSWER: Hi Manny,

First, Elements is $99, and Photoshop is $1,000.

Once you have the sofware, its pretty simple. In elements or photoshop, use Levels to darken the faded image for reproduction. There is really no way to recreate this postmark with moden fonts, etc. since it was a custom piece of art.

Thanks

Kevin



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ok to make it clear i only need to restore the date where the cancellation has faded the most. ideally print the date on the
original ot at least on a photo of it which will be printed.
the font can be approximately the same. how is this done, step
by step?

ANSWER: Hi Manny,

You can either select just the date using a selection tool (such as the lasso or magic wand). Once you have a good selection, you can use Levels to adjust the exposure. This will make it darker and match the un-faded part of the image.

If you have a font that is close enough, you can just use the type tool to type in the date and match the size, shape, etc. Just click on the document and start to type. It will appear on its own layer and allow you to adjust, edit the text as needed.


Thanks

Kevin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks again for being specific. im wondering if its not only possible to modify a scanned photo and pront it but in this example its possible to
type in text, in this case 68 and print onto the original--guess this means a special kind of printer which can be focused on a target area
of the original. your ability to answer depends on your knowledge of
the limitations of consumer printers. i may need to ask hp or something.

Answer
Hi Manny,

What you are asking is going to be a very difficult and complex undertaking. You will need to create a blank document the same size as the original card, then place the new text directly over the same position as the old. You will then print on a normal printer (there are no special printers as you were suggesting). This will take a lot of trial and error, so print on cut blank stock until you get it lined up perfectly.

Thanks

Kevin