Photo Restoration and Enhancement Process

The Photo Restoration and enhancement process represent a series of steps that can be terminated at any time along the process, ending with simple restoration, mostly facial sharpening, full photo sharpening. We can also apply many other enhancement techniques. such as lightening are darkening certain parts of the photograph, enhancing the overall brightness and clarity, and on to colorization. It all depends on how far a client wishes to take the process.

In this example (Also see our example page), we begin with a photograph that has been significantly damaged, including a major tear and even a missing section, though in this case that is not very difficult to correct. In other instances, a missing peace might require extreme artistic correction.

From there, the photo is prepared for scanning and final restoration by taping the pieces together as best we can.

After scanning this photo in, we begin with the initial restoration process, which involves returning the photo to its original size and condition before the ravages of time. This is a process that almost always involves using cloning tools and blending tools. We clone areas near the damage into the damaged area when we can and then blend them with the area by hand. This process is used to also remove dust and scratches. In some instances, we must revert to artistic additions to correct certain features of the photo. The results are not meant to improve the original photo, but to put it back in its original state. We may also brighten or otherwise manipulate the contrast of the photo if that is required to put it back into its original condition. This is required when the photo has faded.

Note that this restored photo is here produced much larger than the original, which was approximately 3 inches by 4 1/2 inches. At that size, it does not look nearly as out of focus as it does here. However, we almost always at least enhance the sharpness of the face and make it printable in a larger size as this does not require much additional work. Going a step further and increasing the sharpness of the overall photo often requires some amount of additional artwork done by hand. However, the results can be dramatic and allow for the photo to be printed at a rather large size.

This is a stopping place for most photos. However, we can continue the work to colorize the photo. Once again, this can require a considerable degree of artistic work. While the original color is created by a computer program, it is very often not accurate and must be manipulated by hand to produce the final product.

It should be noted that while this may seem like a long and complicated process, it’s often not as long and complex as it may seem. For example, the above photo, which is fairly simple, was restored, enhanced, and colorized over about 3 1/2 hours. More complex photos can take considerably longer but we do use various computer programs to speed up our work.