Complete Guide to Photo Restoration

Quick Answer To restore an old or damaged photo, upload it to EditThisPic and describe the repair needed: 'fix the scratches', 'repair the torn corner', 'restore faded colors', or 'colorize this black and white photo'. AI can fix multiple issues in one edit or do them step by step for best results.

Fixing Scratches and Tears

Old photos often suffer from physical damage - scratches from storage, tears from handling, or creases from folding. AI can analyze the surrounding image and fill in these damaged areas naturally.

Upload your damaged photo

Scan or photograph the damaged print at the highest quality possible. More detail helps the AI.

Describe the damage

Be specific: 'remove the scratches across the face', 'repair the torn corner on the right', or 'fix all the creases and scratches'.

Review and refine

Large tears may need multiple passes. Start with 'repair the main tear' then 'clean up the remaining damage'.

Before: Fixing Scratches and Tears — Before

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After: Fixing Scratches and Tears — After

Prompt: "Remove all the scratches and restore the photo"

Restoring Faded Photos

Time, sunlight, and improper storage cause photos to fade. Colors become washed out, contrast disappears, and details become muddy. AI restoration can bring back vibrancy without making photos look artificial.

Upload the faded photo

Even severely faded photos can often be restored.

Describe the restoration

'Restore the faded colors', 'bring back the original color vibrancy', or 'fix the faded and washed out appearance'.

Adjust if needed

If colors are too saturated, refine with 'make the colors more natural' or 'reduce saturation slightly'.

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Prompt: "Restore the faded colors and bring back vibrancy"

Colorizing Black & White Photos

Transform old black and white photos into full color. AI analyzes context clues - skin tones, foliage, skies, clothing - to add realistic, historically appropriate colors.

Upload your B&W photo

Higher resolution photos give better colorization results.

Request colorization

'Colorize this photo with realistic colors', 'add natural colors to this black and white photo', or for more control: 'colorize with warm skin tones and green foliage'.

Adjust specific colors

If needed: 'change the dress to blue' or 'make the sky more vivid'.

Before: Colorizing Black & White Photos — Before

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After: Colorizing Black & White Photos — After

Prompt: "Colorize this black and white photo with realistic colors"

Restoring Damaged Faces

Faces are often the most important and most delicate part of old photos. Damaged faces require careful restoration to maintain likeness while repairing scratches, tears, or fading.

Assess the damage

Note what's damaged: eyes, skin texture, facial features.

Restore gradually

Start with 'repair the scratch across the face while preserving the likeness', not aggressive enhancement.

Preserve character

Avoid over-smoothing: 'restore the damaged areas but keep the natural appearance and age'.

Removing Noise and Grain

Old photos often have heavy grain from film, while scans can introduce digital noise. AI can clean these up while preserving important detail.

Upload the noisy image

Works on both film grain and digital noise.

Remove noise

'Remove the grain and noise while keeping details sharp', 'clean up the grainy texture', or 'reduce noise without losing sharpness'.

Balance detail

Some grain adds character. If over-smoothed: 'add back a little natural grain'.

Complete Restoration Workflow

For severely damaged photos, work in stages. Doing everything at once can produce unpredictable results. A step-by-step approach gives you control and better outcomes.

Repair physical damage first

Fix tears, scratches, and missing pieces. This is your foundation.

Restore colors/contrast

Once the image is intact, bring back faded colors and proper contrast.

Enhance faces

Carefully enhance facial features without changing likeness.

Final cleanup

Remove noise, sharpen if needed, and do final quality adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can AI restore heavily damaged photos?

AI can restore most damage including scratches, tears, fading, and missing sections. However, if a large portion of a face or critical area is missing, results may be approximate. The AI fills in based on context clues.

How accurate is AI colorization?

AI colorization is remarkably good at guessing appropriate colors - skin tones, skies, foliage, and common objects. However, it can't know the actual color of a specific dress or car. Think of it as 'realistic' rather than 'historically accurate' unless you guide it.

Should I scan photos before restoration?

Yes, scanning at high resolution (300-600 DPI) gives the AI more detail to work with. Phone photos of prints can work but may introduce additional blur or reflection.

Can restoration change someone's appearance?

Good restoration should preserve likeness while repairing damage. If the AI changes features too much, use prompts like 'restore while preserving the exact likeness' or do more targeted repairs.

How do I restore a photo with missing pieces?

The AI can fill in missing corners, edges, or sections by analyzing the surrounding image. Use 'fill in the missing corner' or 'reconstruct the torn section'. Large missing areas involving faces may need manual guidance.

Can I restore photos from the 1800s?

Yes! Very old photos often respond well to restoration. Start with physical repairs, then colorization if desired. The AI handles daguerreotypes, tintypes, and early photographic prints.

Why does my restored face look plastic?

Over-enhancement can make faces look artificial. Use 'restore naturally' or 'preserve the skin texture'. You can also back off with 'make the face restoration more subtle'.

Can I remove dust spots from scanned photos?

Yes, use 'remove the dust spots and specks' or 'clean up the dust and scratches from this scan'. The AI distinguishes between dust artifacts and actual image content.

How do I preserve the original while having a restored copy?

EditThisPic never modifies your original file. Download the restored version as a new file. Keep your original scan safely stored.

Can I colorize a photo and fix damage in one step?

You can, but for best results, fix physical damage first, then colorize. This gives you more control and often produces cleaner results.

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