GIMP Version: 2.10.32
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: W10 (64bit)
GIMP Experience: New User

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Greetings,
This possibly is easy. I looked at a bunch of history did not see an answer. If I'm just using the wrong search term please advise.

I'm digitizing a bunch of old photos for my parents. For some reason the 'sky' is gone in several images, in others of the same vintage it is fine.

My question is: is there some method or script that can show the value of images? When I make a layer mask to replace the sky, it sometimes looks very fake. I have gotten the shadow direction down and even had some success with desaturating the sky image. I'm just thinking there has to be a better way and the brains here probably have seen/done this before.
Any help would be much apricated.
Tanx,
neogimp

Can you post one of the images you have trouble with?

I loaded one up. Circa 1970-71. Notice the sky is 'gone' but rest of image is OK.

Just playing with Colors>Curves on a duplicate layer can bring some sky back and brighten the image a bit. Just value, blue, and green. I didn't mess with the red settings.

For individual pixels, see the pointer dialog to explore the image with your mouse, and the sample points dialog if you want to see how some sample pixels change during your processing.

For the whole image (or specific areas if there is a selection) see the histogram dialog.

What paramerters are you scanning with? Scanner type, scan settings, color depth etc..

Can your scanner /scanner software output raw format files? If so you may want to use Art, Darktable, or Rawtherapy.

Another solution: select the white patch in the sky, and use an in-painting filter (resynthesize here, but there are others) to fill that area from the rest of the sky.

Select roughly the sky (no need to be precise with trees and roofs, just don't select them), then
Filters > G'MIC > Repair > Smooth [Bilateral], default setting are good enough, output to a new layer

The example given was not the best---laziness on my part. I just selected the first image that came up. I have uploaded anther example.

As for the scanner. It is a 'el cheapo' unit without much in the way of adjustment. I think the only options are where the file is stored and the resolution.

Thanks to all who shared their knowledge, I now have some idea's that I never considered. Thank you.

neogimp

Masks and curves will get you most of the way there, but it can't overcome incorrect exposure....