Ok initially I was rather deflated by this revelation, but what you're saying makes sense. I love learning (which is why I thoroughly appreciate this message board), and I believe you not only author well researched articles - you are also a very talented photographer. As an aside, I actually requested you as a friend on Facebook to see more of your work, and you graciously accepted - so a belated thanks for that! I am the girl holding a giant white rabbit in my profile picture...
Anyways, if you have time and the inclination to indulge me here - I'd appreciate your expertise on this matter (as it was more difficult to unpick than I thought it would be)...
I'm sure I don't completely have this straight, but I think what you're saying is that what I mistakenly referred to as restoration is actually a form of photo manipulation. Depending on the amount of data a photo has available to work with, these programs either extrapolate or interpolate to sort of "fill in the blanks" when it comes to shapes or the level of detail, is that correct?
Whereas restoration is more like a form of photo editing where only things like tone and contrast would be adjusted? Or is restoration not considered editing at all? And when they remove scratches or stains, that's not retouching or manipulation because those elements never existed in the original photo?
My only other querie is - is photo restoration then only possible on a scan of the original photo because these techniques can only be done digitally? Or is it possible to restore the actual photograph?
I saw a program on the BBC about how they restore paintings, and that involves x-rays and the careful removal of discoloured varnish, then the exact color and pigments of the paint are determined using some kind of spectro something or other, then they carefully inpaint damaged areas... I don't think anything like that is possible with an actual photo though is it?
I think there is a picture of Doc that someone tried to "restore" by drawing on it, and clearly that technique did not pan out too well.
It should be understood that these are not restorations. They are a result of computer programs that interpret small amounts of data and create elements (shapes, sizes, textures, details) that were n... more
Thanks for the correction — Karen M,Sun May 22 13:37
Karen, I think the photo of Doc you are thinking of is probably the Noah H. Rose attempt to "restore" the photograph that Bat Masterson used in his Human Life article about Holliday. Mr. Rose also aim... more
Thanks for pointing it out. So is the author Robert McCubbin an old west photography specialist? I think I saw an auction of some sort where some of his photo collection was being sold…
Yes, Mr McCubbin was a major collector of Old West photos and other items. As I understand it, he and BBB bought True West magazine together. The auction took place in 2019. I attended the photo porti... more
Thank you for your very warm praise. I didn't mean to take away from the enjoyment of the photographs. When someone reads a book, there's value in understanding if it's historical fiction or non-fic... more
I have noticed on Facebook and other social media that some women are using a beauty filer app. Apparently it takes an existing picture and upgrades the image to a perfect face, sans any acne, blemish... more