Colorize old filmstrip scans

[Ovi Sergiu]

Hi,
I recently started scanning some educational filmstrips.
The scanned image is kinda foggy and lacks color.

Could someone, please, try and explain if there is something to bring the image to life to look decent?
It would be awesome if you could write me the steps, so I can apply them to the hundreds of scans.

Thank you very much!



Mod edit: One image per request please.

 

[JeffK]

The easiest approach is to use curves to adjust your dark and light points.
Open your image in PS, then duplicate the layer. I always like to keep a copy of my original to compare to.
So your window should look like this:



Now open a curves adjustment layer by clicking on the round button at the bottom of the layer stack:



Your curves layer will open in a new tab. You should see this histogram with the RGB channels combined:



You'll note that there's a big empty space at the right side of the histogram.
What you're going to do now is by clicking on that RGB drop down menu, working with one channel at at time, you're going to pull those sliders so they touch the starting point of the histogram both on right and left sides.
So for example, before (red channel):



And after:



You're going to do that on the Red channel, Green channel, and Blue channel.
Your image should then look like this:



Image is a lot brighter, less faded now.
Then you can go back to the edited image layer and use the spot healing brush to clean up the image.
Here's what I ended up with:



There are several tutorials on YouTube that can help - just search for repairing faded images.

Others most likely will jump in - this at least will give you a start.

- Jeff

 

[chrisdesign]

I tried different approaches for a few hours. I got almost same colors as you. But couldn't fix the scratches.
Your result is very good!

 

[JJLAPIN]

Here is something that takes mere seconds. Use the eyedroppers in Levels. Highlight far right. (Select a White--Girls Shirt)
Shadow far Left. (Select Black--border on bottom)

 

[Babine]

Check out Average Blur in PS HERE. Apply channels in various blend modes to increase colour saturation.

 

[chrisdesign]

This my result.
Sorry... German Photoshop.
But you can see what I've done in each channel.

 

[thebestcpu]

Here is my try.
In a copied layer of original I made it a Smart Object then
- Two applications of SRDx filter plugin from
- Then just adjustments in an added Camera Raw Filter
- Followed by masking back to the original image for eyes or the characters and also using original wording on bottom of image.
John Wheeler

 

[Ovi Sergiu]

Thank you, everyone!
I am amazed to see your replies and results.