Restore Old Photo
Use this prompt to restore an old, damaged photo to something that looks clean and modern.
The method
Use the prompt below along with an upload of the photo you are trying to restore. The example was created with ChatGPT, but this should work well with any image generator that is able to accept uploads.
The prompts
Restore this photo with period-accurate techniques, addressing any age-related issues it may have, such as blurring, damage, fading, scratches, tears, folds, worn-out areas, or being in black and white.
First, analyze the image to identify the approximate era and original photographic process to ensure a historically accurate restoration. Make it look fresh and clear by gently sharpening soft edges and facial features without overdoing it, smoothing out grainy spots or noise if present, and reconstructing missing parts with realistic textures that match the original. If colors are faded or absent, bring them back naturally and vibrantly but true to the era's photographic technology without looking artificial; balance colors to match natural lighting, adjust brightness and contrast so everything pops nicely, and maintain original tonality. Add subtle details to faces, objects, or backgrounds that might have been lost, like fine lines in clothing, lifelike skin textures, or small elements in the scenery, while keeping the overall feel authentic, preserving natural grain patterns, and not changing the composition. Ensure the whole image is balanced, with no harsh shadows or washed-out areas, remove technical defects while respecting the nostalgic charm and exposure qualities of the time.
Finally, upscale it to a higher resolution like Full HD 32k for better clarity, outputting in a photo-realistic style that looks like a professionally restored or recent high-quality photo.
