If you register for free, you will be able to post threads, vote on polls and lots more. If you have problems with the registration or logging in, please contact the administrator.
I have a job to restore a set of Maori Guide photos, I've fixed most of the rips, tears, and stains, but am having a heck of a time when I print the finished photo out, the hair that I've circled is dull and flat, has no texture at all. I've tried all sorts of merges, and varing transparency, and just can't get it right. Any hints?
The best to experiment is to make a curves adjustment layer. This way, you can experiment how they work. Make a S shaped one (like a smoothed stair step)
Or you put a copy in multiply mode, and add a mask (the circle in a square icon in the layers palette) and paint out the areas that you don't want to see affected, as long a lowering the opacity if the effect is too strong...
I agree with Pierre, curves is the best way to go.
Do understand that you can't create anything out of nothing.
What some people do in such a situation is to paint hair...I've seen it done a couple of times, but I admit, it takes some practice.
I opened the photograph and duplicated it on another layer. Blend mode to Soft Light. Then I added a layer mask and painted a bit with black and a soft 65 brush in the mass of the hair round her neck. (was a bit too dark).
Then I took the burn tool and softly burned (I have a pen) the hair on her head to add some contrast.
This is a quickie: with a bit of work, it can be much better.
ciao!
If yoou want to use levels, best do so in your scanner software because you will make gaps in the histograph when doing so in Photoshop
Photo restoration help. 
Linear Mode
