Old photographs are delicate objects. If they have not been stored properly, they will most likely have suffered damage from the time they were taken until now. Old photos that have been stacked tend to stick together. When you try to peel them off, they may tear and become damaged. Moisture is the biggest damage to old photos. It can make edges curl and make photos stick together. Even the sun can damage old photos, making them disappear. Use these steps to repair your old photos.
Steps
Step 1. Get a high quality scanner
- The price of scanners has dropped significantly. You can buy a good one for less than 100 €.
- Clean the scanner glass to make sure it is free of dust.
Step 2. Scan the photo
- Choose a scan size that is at least 100% high resolution. Going too far over 100% can cause smearing. Scan the image a couple of times in different sizes to figure out what the best percentage is.
- Save the file as tiff instead of jpeg. The jpeg format tends to lose detail.
- Secure the original photograph.
Step 3. Open the photo editing software
This guide uses Adobe Photoshop to explain the repair steps.
Step 4. Repair color, luster and contrast
- Open the basic editing layers of your software.
- Play around with the sliders. Move the sheen level to brighten a dark photo. Arrange the colors to remove the red color. Turn up the contrast for washed-out photos.
- Save all the versions you create under a different name, so you can compare them later and choose the one that suits you best.
Step 5. Fix the scratches
- Enlarge the photo at the specific point of the scratch. Keep a window open with the whole photo where you can see the changes you are making.
- Open the "dust and scratches" filter and start moving the cursor over the scratched areas. Work slowly and check the image often. This filter tends to remove detail as it fixes scratches.
Step 6. Fill in the missing portions
- Open the "clone stamp tool" on your software. It may have another name depending on the software you are using.
- Select a part of the photo you want to clone. Click once.
- Move the cursor over the area you want to repair with the cloned material. Apply the detail carefully. Fill that part completely.
- Adjust the shadow with the shadow options on the clone stamp tool. Before continuing, look at the whole image to see if it looks natural.
Step 7. Trim the torn edges away with the crop tool
Step 8. Print the image
Use an ink printer or photo specification with glossy paper to print the restored photograph
Advice
- Even if the photograph is black and white, scan it as a color image to capture the shades of black and white.
- You can scan your photos in a copy shop for a not too high price if you don't have access to a scanner.
- Go to "Edit" and select "Cancel" if you take an action by mistake or don't like something you've tried to fix.
Warnings
- Do not tear the photos that have glued together. Placing the group of photographs in a hot water bath for about an hour causes them to soften without spoiling the image.
- Repairing a seriously damaged photo can be very difficult. If more than half of a person's face is damaged, you may not be able to repair it without the assistance of a professional.
