Our step by step guide to
Restore your old and damaged photos

1. You take the best photo of your old photo that you can then email it to us
2. We adjust the lighting and colouring of your photo
3. We repair any rips, marks, stains or blotches on your photo
4. We re-create and re-imagine parts of the photo that have been destroyed
5. We sharpen up the detail
6. We re-adjust lighting and colouring to bring it to life.
7. You decide if you want it printing or painting

1. Take the best photo of your old photo that you can

2. Adjust the lighting and colouring of your photo.

Many old photos suffer from poor lighting, which often deteriorates further over time. As demonstrated in this example, not only is the lighting suboptimal, but the flash has also washed out some details in the center-left portion of the image. We can correct the lighting to create uniform brightness throughout the picture. Additionally, we can transform your black-and-white photo into full color. In this example, the colors of the dinner jacket, shirt, and bow tie are straightforward, as are the flesh tones. With the customer's input, we colored the buttons and chain gold and provided a lovely blue backdrop to make the subject stand out.

3. Repair any rips, marks, stains or blotches on your photo

Naturally, the older the photo, the more likely it is to be damaged. Besides fading, it may have suffered from various forms of damage. There could be stains, rips, tears, and even missing sections due to wear and tear. We will repair these imperfections by removing the damage and reconstructing the missing parts. When the damage affects the background, our designer can easily replicate the surrounding pattern or create a similar one to ensure a seamless restoration.

In the example above, the customer sent in this very old photo of a corporal from the Scottish army with many rips, creases and stains on the photo as well as it being black and white. We fixed all the damage and then colourised the image asking the customer for examples of the uniform, kilt, hat and socks to ensure we got it right.

4. Re-create and re-imagine parts of the photo that can't be seen

As mentioned above, some photos may have parts of the subject that are damaged or of such poor quality that they need to be re-imagined. This is where our designers' skills come into play, along with feedback from the customer to ensure we are on the right track. This process can require multiple iterations, as it might not be right on the first attempt, but we are committed to making changes to your mock-up until it is perfect.

In this example, the customer sent in a flat 2D drawing of their grandfather and our designer created the 3D lifelike image of him based upon the drawing. The customer was absolutely amazed with what we did and commissioned the painting for a very special birthday present.

5. Sharpen up the detail

Old photos were taken with cameras that lacked the high-resolution capabilities of today's million-pixel models. The lenses and photographic paper used in those days couldn't capture the sharp, crisp detail we now expect. We can enhance these images by adding that missing detail. Using the latest technology and AI, we can transform even the most blurred images into crystal-clear photographs, bringing them back to life!

This example shows a lady on the street from many, many years ago and as can be seen the photo is very blurred and there isn't much detail to be seen at all. We have brought this back to current day standards and added the sharpness and detail that we have come to expect.

6. Decide whether you would like it painting, or as a print

Finally, if you do wish to proceed you can either have your restored photo printed or painted. Some of our customers love to see their old photos painted in oils by one of our artists. But another option is where we can produce your photo onto either high quality photocard, or onto canvas which can be framed or stretched with a gallery wrap, this option is much cheaper and prices start at just £49