How to Restore Archive Photos

Old photographs can become faded and damaged but you can restore them using simple photo editing software.

Archive photos, like any old photographs, can become the victim of time, as the photo fades, becomes discolored and gathers dust and scratches. The dust and debris can be removed manually, however, to correct the color and quality of the photo you will have to scan the photo to bring it onto your computer where you can edit it digitally. By combining the right restoration tools, with some simple digital editing techniques you can restore your archive photos to their former glory in no time at all.

Things You'll Need

• Cleaning cloth or brush
• Scanner
• Computer
• Photo editing software

Instructions

1. Remove any dust and debris from the surface of your archive photo. Gently wipe the photo from corner to corner with a soft brush or cleaning cloth.

2. Turn your scanner on and place your photo image side down on the scanning glass. Align the photo with the corner of the scanner before closing the lid of the scanner.

3. Adjust the settings on your scanner. If you have the option between color and grayscale, then select color by pressing the corresponding button. Scan your images at 300 dpi and choose where on your computer you want them to be saved.

4. Click "Scan" or press the scan button on your scanner to scan the image. Allow the scan to complete before clicking "File" then "Save" to save the scanned photo to your computer.

5. Run your image editing software such as Windows Live Photo Gallery, Photoshop or GIMP by double clicking on the desktop icon.

6. Open your scanned photo in your selected program by clicking "File" then "Open" and selecting your image from the drop-down menu.

7. Adjust the lighting on your archive photo. Open the adjustments panel, then increase the brightness, contrast and saturation levels of your photograph by dragging the marker on the slider bar from the left side to the right.

8. Correct the color levels in your photograph by using the "Adjust Color Toot" in Windows Live Photo Gallery or by using the "Levels" tool in Photoshop. Adjust the slider bars to change the temperature and tint of the photograph. Alter the position of the saturation marker on individual colors to restore faded colors.

9. Click "Filter" and then select "Dust and Scratches" from the drop down menu in Photoshop to clean specks and scratches from your photo. Use the "Sharpen" tool to remove blur from the image by moving the marker from left to right on the slider.

10. Admire your restored photograph. Notice the difference in image quality between the original scan and your restored image. Repeat the process for any further archive photos.

References

• HP: Restoration Techniques
• BBC: Using a Scanner