PS helps this Faded Photo

RP, from San Jose, CA, using Windows XP and Photoshop CS sent this one in...

[Quote] I scanned a photo from circa 1900. Original is damaged, with a hazy look over all the dark colors. Looking at the original at an angle I can see the discolorment over the black, white areas do not have it. It is particularly bad in the bottom left corner where the man's legs are.
Is it aging of the paper? A problem with the ink? and How can I get the haze to go away? Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks. [END QUOTE]
This is a tough one. Follow along...

Old Photos and Tarnish

Unfortunately, the Silver content in old photos sometimes tarnishes in the extreme dark areas due to humidity and atmospheric conditions. For these areas, there isn't much even Photoshop can do. You'll have to rebuild them.

It also looks like this photo has had some retouching done some years ago. So we'll have to overcome that as well.

First you should go back and re-scan the image to at least 4-times its original size. So, if it's a 5 x 7 your target size will be 20 x 34, or 400% depending on the scanner software you're using.

This hopefully will capture all the very subtle shades in the shadow and highlight ranges. You may want to scan it several times, each time adjusting your scanner to capture detail.

You can sometimes increase your ability to retouch a photo by multiple scans. Don't always expect a single scan, nor Photoshop, to capture everything you'll need for excellent results.

A very light scan can raise detail from the shadow areas, and a very dark scan can hold the delecate light tones in the highlight areas. These can later be combined into a composite holding both ranges.

Your best bet is first to remove all or most of the color. This will render a grayscale image so you can
* increase black levels
* balance and then add contrast.

You can put the sepia toning back later if you desire.

Open an Adjustment Layer "Hue Saturation" (Layers > New Adjustment)

Now slide the saturation slider all the way to the left. The color should be removed leaving a black and white photo.

Much of the very dark areas like the man's feet and legs cannot be helped much unless you intend to 'rebuild' them using the painting tools. Most people aren't qualified to do this so it is probably best left alone.

Now open a new Adjustment Layer, this time "Brightness/Contrast"

and work with those sliders. You should see favorable results immediately.

You can also use your Dodging & Burn-In tools for localized 'custom' lightening and darkening. Use carefully.

You can also do a certain amount of adjustment via the Levels command.

Click the Photo layer

Use: Image > Adjust > Levels

Toggle "before and after" by clicking the "Preview" button.

Now gently slide the left slider (under the histogram) to the right until it runs into the beginning of the shadow ramp. Likewise, move the right slider to the left until it enters the highlights ramp.

Now slide the center slider left and right while observing the changes in the photo.

This will achieve a well balanced image. When satisfied, click "okay".

Since we cannot be there to look over your shoulder, you'll have to experiment with all of the above settings until you move toward perfection. After each 'major' edit, save a file "trail" by using the File > Save As to rename and save the file.

Let us know how it turns out.