unblurring an image

**StopWhiningAlready** · 12-29-2011, 07:46 PM

Does anyone have any suggestions around how to unblur an image that has been intentionally blurred, probably using photoshop or something similar? The image doesn't have to be perfect, just good enough to read the letters that were blurred.

I received some IM-related materials not long ago and my BS meter is in the Red. I'd give out more info, but I have a feeling that the individual is a frequent visitor of BHW and don't want to cast aspersions until I've determined whether or not the BS meter was correct.

SWA

**HoNeYBiRD** · 12-29-2011, 07:51 PM

depends on how much it's blurred, you can try to sharpen it, but if it's too blurred, it won't help much

**DamageX** · 12-29-2011, 07:54 PM

Unsharp mask

**download** · 12-29-2011, 07:54 PM

Not everything you see on CSI is true

At most you could try using the sharpen tool, but I'm no professional.

**kirkonpolttaja** · 12-29-2011, 07:57 PM

pinching tool and trial and error, try to pinch all loose/blur pixels together to form blurred letters.

Have to check this out if it is possible...

**flyingbear** · 12-29-2011, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by download

Not everything you see on CSI is true

At most you could try using the sharpen tool, but I'm no professional.

actually, most things in CSI are not what they are in reality,

btw, you will have to filter the image (sharp is one of the filter), but really depends on how blur it is.

**peterbruce** · 12-29-2011, 07:58 PM

It's impossible to unblur most images.

**DamageX** · 12-29-2011, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by peterbruce

It's impossible to unblur most images.

I take it you haven't used Photoshop much?

**peterbruce** · 12-29-2011, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by DamageX

I take it you haven't used Photoshop much?

Have a look over my designs...
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=4795e14de4

**DamageX** · 12-29-2011, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by peterbruce

Have a look over my designs...
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=4795e14de4

Alright, I'll take that back. Was an odd statement coming from someone familiar with the software.

**StopWhiningAlready** · 12-29-2011, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by peterbruce

Have a look over my designs...
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=4795e14de4

I'd say Peter may have more than a casual understanding of Photoshop. Nice cover art by the way.

As for CSI, I saw the same references to CSI in 3 articles that came up as I searched for unblur image info. I didn't expect much, but figured someone here may have a unique approach to slightly sharpening the image. The image also appears to have been protected, so it's likely a dead end. Thanks for the info. APpreciate anything additional thoughts anyone has.

**carlito** · 12-29-2011, 09:07 PM

I know it has been done to arrest a pedophile who blurred his photo online, but the authorities managed to know what the algorythm used to blur the pic (there are many way to blur a pic, depending on the tool used, it's just mathematics) and then by using some reverse engineering they unblur it.

But it's not a tool that you can find at wallmart I think

nor in photoshop...

**mrtwister_65** · 12-29-2011, 10:12 PM

Crop out some small part of it and give us on some file uploading site and we'll tell you if its possible for this particular image.

**blackouts** · 12-29-2011, 10:16 PM

and then by using some reverse engineering they unblur it.

...

**Patton** · 12-30-2011, 12:31 AM

99% of the times it is not going to be possible.

**bertbaby** · 12-30-2011, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by peterbruce

Have a look over my designs...
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=4795e14de4

Really neat design work! Ever do novel covers?

Also, I see that Photoshop has some new unblur functionality as well. Checkout Geek.com and blind deconvolution.

**rado84** · 12-30-2011, 02:55 AM

Because I cannot post links, type this in G:

MAX 2011 Sneak Peeks - MAX 2011 Sneak Peek - Image Deblurring | Adobe TV

**meatro** · 12-30-2011, 03:07 AM

Enhance feature coming soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxjiQ...layer_embedded

(watch the video.. really.)

**whatlljk** · 12-30-2011, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by carlito

I know it has been done to arrest a pedophile who blurred his photo online, but the authorities managed to know what the algorythm used to blur the pic (there are many way to blur a pic, depending on the tool used, it's just mathematics) and then by using some reverse engineering they unblur it.

But it's not a tool that you can find at wallmart I think

nor in photoshop...

I remember that story. It only worked in that case because the idiot pedophile didn't blur his face -- he made it into a 'cool'-looking spiral, which would easily be 'un-spiraled' to show his face. An actual, thorough blur destroys the clarity of the picture totally instead of scrambling it in a reversible way.

**jon_xx_x** · 12-30-2011, 04:13 AM

Originally Posted by whatlljk

I remember that story. It only worked in that case because the idiot pedophile didn't blur his face -- he made it into a 'cool'-looking spiral, which would easily be 'un-spiraled' to show his face. An actual, thorough blur destroys the clarity of the picture totally instead of scrambling it in a reversible way.

Yeah, that's what I thought it was too.