Computer assisted age progression.

A computer assisted method for altering the perceived age of a human face is presented. Our technique is based on calculating a trajectory or axis within a multi-dimensional space that captures the changes in large scale facial structure, shading and complexion associated with aging. Fine facial details associated with increasing age, such as wrinkles, are added to the aged face using a variation on a standard image processing technique called high boost filtering. The method is successfully applied to two-dimensional photographic images exhibiting uncontrolled variations in pose and illumination. Unlike our previous work on automated age progression, here the objective is to allow a certain degree of manual control over the process by the adjustment of three key progression-control-parameters. In the future this work may form the basis for a software tool to be used by forensic artists.