Increase contrast in old photo

[cbutton69]

I have an old photo with very little contrast; it is faded badly. How can I improve it?

[angelize]

With out seeing the photo I'm kind of guessing here, you can add contrast with the photo tool but depending on how badly the photo is faded you may need to do some reconstructive work. Is it possible for you to post the photo here? Then myself and others would have a better idea of how to help.

[gnurf]

If it's really faded you can bring back details by cloning (Ctrl-K) the photo and apply Stained glass transparency.

[cbutton69]

I have an old photo with very little contrast; it is faded badly. How can I improve it?

With out seeing the photo I'm kind of guessing here, you can add contrast with the photo tool but depending on how badly the photo is faded you may need to do some reconstructive work. Is it possible for you to post the photo here? Then myself and others would have a better idea of how to help.

If it's really faded you can bring back details by cloning (Ctrl-K) the photo and apply Stained glass transparency.

Dear angelize and gnurf, thanks for your replies. I guess I should own up to the fact that it is not an old photo that has faded. It is a photo that I took of a charcoal drawing created by my grandson. However it is true that I'd like to increas the contrast. Are you still willing to help me? (photo attached)

[gwpriester]

There was not a lot of information to dig out of the photo Carol but here is what I did:

I cloned the photo and applied Stained Glass transparency.

I made a Bitmap Copy and and used the Auto function in the Photo Tool > Levels dialog to increase the light and dark values.

I made another clone and applied 50% Stained Glass transparency.

The really cool thing about Xara is you can pile unlimited images on top of one another and experiment will all kinds of transparencies until you get something you like.

[handrawn]

nice Gary

here's one using contone and lighten transparency

[ShapeShifter]

I worked with levels on the original photo of the charcoal picture first before using the mould tool to square it up.
Then used the shade curve on a bitmap copy.

[gwpriester]

So Charlie, anything here work for you?

[cbutton69]

So Charlie, anything here work for you?

Gary, several of the replies did a great job, including yours. Thanks alsoto ShapeShifter and handrawn. I've learned alot from all of them.

[jclements]

ShapeShifter. Shade Curve????

How is that accessed?