Techniques for saving bad pictures...

[Jenna]

Sometimes we have photos we love but they are out of focus or too grainy or dark... what are some techniques digital scrappers can use to "save" those bad shots we still want to use???

Here are a few of my favorite ideas with links to samples. What are yours???


Soften the photo (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=3509&password=&sort=2&cat=all&page=5) (make it dreamy)
Add a Paint-like filter (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11426&password=&sort=2&cat=last1&page=2) to remove some detail
Use it at a small size (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=8525&password=&sort=2&cat=500&page=1) on your layout

[valeri]

Oh, I know, I have used a couple of those type of photos in a montage style layout. Works great because you are more or less creating a dreamy style effect anyway, plus you can cover up imperfections with brushwork.

[susan]

I've got a number of these bad shots... and now I know what to do with them. Thanks Jenna!

[Lauren]

For grainy photos PSP 9's noise reduction filter is just AWESOME- Its become one of my new favourite tools !!

[SuzanneCWalker]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH, YOU GOTTA TRY NEATIMAGE!!!!!!!

There's a free demo download here (http://www.neatimage.com/download.html)


Seriously, it is DA BOMB for clearing up grainy pics, or pics that were really teensy to start... And there's a sharpen feature, too, that just rocks the casbah!!!

Check it out!!

[SuzanneCWalker]

Orrrrrrrrrr... There's always the good ole motion or gausian blur..... Lasso around your subject with a feather set to 20, then copy the subject to a new layer (layer via copy), then blur your background even more so that your subject looks crisp in comparason.........

[emurph2]

I'm with Suz on the Neat Image. That program is a lifesaver and my favorite for getting rid of grain!! I have a demo picture on that site, check it out. I took the hockey photo at ISO 3200 and when printed that picture is as clear as can be.

Here is an example of an ISO 800 photo that I ran through Neat Image:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11905&nocache=1

Erica

[makeca3]

Need to check this out for heritage photos. Thanks for the tip!
Julie