Old Photo Restorer
Repair scratches, improve contrast, and recover faded portraits.
Drop an image here
PNG, JPEG, WebP, or AVIF · up to 25 MB
Repair a viewing copy while preserving the scan
Restoration can reduce scratches, stains, fading, and low contrast. Face and texture reconstruction can also generate plausible details that were not recorded in the scan.
Create a neutral high-resolution scan first, store it separately, and upload only a duplicate for AI processing. Treat the restored result as a derivative for viewing or sharing, not a replacement for the archival record.
How to restore an old photo responsibly
- 1
Create a clean high-resolution scan
Capture the complete print, including its edges, and save an untouched master.
- 2
Process a duplicate
Run restoration on the copy and avoid stacking several aggressive passes.
- 3
Compare and label the result
Inspect important details beside the scan and store the output as an enhanced derivative.
Useful restoration cases
Faded family portraits
Improve contrast and visibility for a sharing copy.
Light scratch repair
Reduce isolated damage without discarding the original scan.
Album viewing copies
Prepare consistent derivatives while preserving archival masters.
Restoration can invent identity-sensitive detail
- Missing facial and texture detail may be generated rather than recovered.
- Severe tears, overlap, or blur can require manual restoration expertise.
- Automatic colorization, if used, estimates colors and should be labeled.
Old photo restoration questions
Will restoration change a person's face?
It can. Compare facial features with the source and known references, especially after strong enhancement.
Should I scan at a high resolution first?
Yes. A detailed neutral scan gives both the archive and restoration process the best available source.
Can I discard the original scan after restoration?
No. Keep the untouched scan because the restored version may contain generated or interpretive changes.