Restoration examples

Old photo restoration examples: before and after.

Compare original and restored images across public-domain photographs and generated scenes. Explore scratches, creases, fading and missing details.

Restoration case studies

Three restorations to study closely.

These reference cases show the balance we aim for: clearer detail, repaired damage, and the same familiar people.

Public-domain studies and generated scenes show simulated damage and AI repair. Results vary by photo.

Faithful · Keep original colors

A faded portrait

Public-domain portrait with simulated patchy fading from age and light exposure. AI restoration uses this faded input.

Before · Full photograph
Before restoration: A faded portrait · Full photograph
After · Full photograph
After restoration: A faded portrait · Full photograph

Compare the eyes, beard and hat edge. Clearer contrast does not prove that facial details are more accurate.

Public-domain source 745 × 1400 px
Full · Keep original colors

Creases on an American family photo

AI-generated 1940s American family scene with simulated scratches and creases. The repair was generated from this damaged image.

Before · Full photograph
Before restoration: Creases on an American family photo · Full photograph
After · Full photograph
After restoration: Creases on an American family photo · Full photograph

Compare the faces, hands and clothing across the fold. Reconstructed details are interpretations.

AI-generated scene1536 × 1024 px
Full · Add natural color

A damaged family photograph

Public-domain photo with simulated irregular edge tears and paper loss. Color and rebuilt areas are AI interpretations.

Before · Full photograph
Before restoration: A damaged family photograph · Full photograph
After · Full photograph
After restoration: A damaged family photograph · Full photograph

Inspect the torn edges, small faces and poster lettering. A plausible repair can still change a person or invent a detail.

Public-domain source 1400 × 975 px

Learn what to check before downloading

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Restoration QA test set

Twelve different kinds of old-photo damage.

Generated samples used to exercise the restoration flow across black-and-white and color photographs, solo portraits and group scenes.

Before restoration: A 1910s portrait, clear of glass-plate cracks
After restoration: A 1910s portrait, clear of glass-plate cracks
BeforeAfter
Test sample · Cracks

A 1910s portrait, clear of glass-plate cracks

Diagonal cracks, chips, dust, and damaged borders were repaired while keeping the monochrome studio portrait intact.

Generated test sample · for restoration QA
Before restoration: A 1920s family print with its corner restored
After restoration: A 1920s family print with its corner restored
BeforeAfter
Test sample · Torn edge

A 1920s family print with its corner restored

The torn corner, frayed edges, creases, and fading were repaired while preserving the original sepia look.

Generated test sample · for restoration QA
Before restoration: A 1950s couple, free of water damage
After restoration: A 1950s couple, free of water damage
BeforeAfter
Test sample · Water stains

A 1950s couple, free of water damage

Brown stains, mold freckles, curled corners, and color shift were reduced without changing the couple or porch setting.

Generated test sample · for restoration QA
Before restoration: A 1930s couple with a clean silver print
After restoration: A 1930s couple with a clean silver print
BeforeAfter
Test sample · Scratches

A 1930s couple with a clean silver print

Horizontal scratches, dust, a puncture, and edge abrasion were repaired while preserving the period setting and clothing.

Generated test sample · for restoration QA
Before restoration: A 1940s wedding group, gently brought back
After restoration: A 1940s wedding group, gently brought back
BeforeAfter
Test sample · Fading

A 1940s wedding group, gently brought back

Faded color, red dye bleed, fingerprints, and edge damage were corrected with a restrained period palette.

Generated test sample · for restoration QA
Before restoration: Three children behind a repaired fold
After restoration: Three children behind a repaired fold
BeforeAfter
Test sample · Fold creases

Three children behind a repaired fold

A deep center fold, horizontal creases, and edge abrasion were removed from this 1960s family snapshot.

Generated test sample · for restoration QA
Before restoration: A 1970s reunion with its color recovered
After restoration: A 1970s reunion with its color recovered
BeforeAfter
Test sample · Mold

A 1970s reunion with its color recovered

Mold spots, yellowing, color blotches, and a missing emulsion patch were repaired across the family print.

Generated test sample · for restoration QA
Before restoration: School friends beyond the magenta leak
After restoration: School friends beyond the magenta leak
BeforeAfter
Test sample · Color bleed

School friends beyond the magenta leak

Magenta bleed, a bright light leak, uneven exposure, and edge curling were corrected in this 1980s snapshot.

Generated test sample · for restoration QA
Before restoration: An early-1900s portrait with its corner rebuilt
After restoration: An early-1900s portrait with its corner rebuilt
BeforeAfter
Test sample · Missing piece

An early-1900s portrait with its corner rebuilt

The missing lower-right paper area, chipped border, foxing, and crease were reconstructed in sepia.

Generated test sample · for restoration QA
Before restoration: A lakeside picnic with detail restored
After restoration: A lakeside picnic with detail restored
BeforeAfter
Test sample · Sun fade

A lakeside picnic with detail restored

Sun bleaching, silver mirroring, dust, and faint double exposure were reduced across this 1950s group photo.

Generated test sample · for restoration QA
Before restoration: A 1990s graduation group, back in focus
After restoration: A 1990s graduation group, back in focus
BeforeAfter
Test sample · Dust and blur

A 1990s graduation group, back in focus

Dust, lint, lower-frame blur, and print abrasion were cleaned up while keeping the campus scene and gowns unchanged.

Generated test sample · for restoration QA
Before restoration: A 1930s child with a preserved paper texture
After restoration: A 1930s child with a preserved paper texture
BeforeAfter
Test sample · Emulsion peel

A 1930s child with a preserved paper texture

Emulsion peeling, pinholes, fine cracks, and darkened corners were repaired without colorizing the sepia portrait.

Generated test sample · for restoration QA
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