Reading Faint writing on old pictures

[Pipsmom]

I seem to run across this a lot lately but wondering how do you go about reading faint names written on old photos? I've tried everything on this one but still cant make out all the names...some too faint to even consider....... :question: Just wondering

 

[colleague]

yes, that's a big problem

because when you enhance the text, there is still the possibility that you can't read everything

maybe you could ask the owner of the photo if he knows what the names are

(I enhanced the text a little with HDR from the free Nik-filters pugin )

 

[Pipsmom]

Thanks for the response Colleague, I'm waiting on his response as his memory is still sharp and he has helped me before when I can't read everything. His collection goes back to the 1800's onwards and he kindly let me have all of them to practice on.
Your text recover was better than mine, will have to remember the Nik HDR, as I didn't try that yet. Thank you

 

[agentmoeller]

I used a combination of Levels and Curves adjustment layers.

Didn't get much better.

It's tough because the text is not a uniform color, so, darkening some of it will wash other parts out.



Agent.

 

[Pipsmom]

Thank you for the effort, I can actually make out a few more of the last names I'm familiar with...Big Thank you

 

[colleague]

you can Always use masks , so you can darken only a part of the photo that needs darkening

 

[agentmoeller]

you can Always use masks , so you can darken only a part of the photo that needs darkening

True, but some of the text is totally washed out - no way to know what to darken and what to lighten. It would still be difficult.