Frequently Asked Questions About Photo Restoration
Below you will find answers to the most common questions about photo restoration, colorization, retouching, scanning quality, privacy, and how we preserve the original character of old photographs.
What types of photos can be restored?
Old paper photographs, family portraits, faded photos, album scans, and images with visible scratches, dust, stains, or minor damage can all be restored.
Can the sharpness of an old photo be improved?
Yes, in many cases it is possible to improve detail clarity, contrast, and the overall sharpness of a photo. The result depends on the quality of the original and the extent of the damage.
Is a scan better than taking a photo with a phone?
Usually yes. A flat, high-resolution scan tends to preserve more fine detail and avoids glare, perspective distortion, and uneven lighting. A phone photo can still work well if it is sharp, evenly lit, and captured straight from above.
Do you offer colorization for black-and-white photos?
Yes. We can colorize black-and-white photographs, but our preferred result is not exaggerated color. Black-and-white images often look best when the final version stays close to the original mood, tonal balance, and historical character.
What does photo retouching involve?
Retouching may include improving lighting, colors, sharpness, and contrast, as well as gently smoothing minor imperfections. The goal is to enhance the image naturally without creating an artificial effect.
What is photo aging?
Photo aging gives a modern photograph a retro or vintage style. The effect may include sepia tones, faded colors, film grain, and signs of paper wear.
How long does order processing take?
Standard turnaround time is usually between 24 and 48 hours. The exact time depends on the type of photo, its quality, and the scope of the selected improvements.
Will the final result be identical to the preview?
The preview helps show the direction of the changes, but the final result may differ. The outcome depends on the quality of the source photo, the extent of damage, and the selected enhancement mode.
What file types can be uploaded?
Photos in JPG and PNG formats work best, as do clear scans of old photographs. The better the quality of the original, the higher the chance of a stronger final result.
Can I describe the part of the image that matters most?
Yes. You can use the optional instructions field to tell us which face, object, uniform, jewelry, or background element deserves the most attention. Clear context helps us spend restoration effort where it matters most.
Can I order restoration in two stages?
Yes. A practical approach is to first restore sharpness, contrast, and damage without colorization, review the preview, and only then order a second pass focused on colorization. This often gives better control over the final look.
How do you restore missing parts of an old photo?
We do not treat restoration as generating a completely new picture. We use restoration knowledge and AI-assisted interpolation to rebuild missing readability and small damaged areas in a way that stays consistent with the remaining original information.
Are my photos private?
Yes. We only ask for your email so we can confirm the order and deliver the result. Uploaded images are automatically removed after no more than 14 days, unless a longer period is necessary to complete an active support or dispute case.
Can I order more than one effect?
Yes, depending on the offer, you can combine multiple types of enhancement, such as restoration and colorization, or retouching and image quality improvement.
How was photo restoration done before AI?
Traditional restoration was a slow manual process based on retouching, tonal balancing, dust cleanup, reconstruction, and careful visual judgment by an editor. We did that labor-intensive work before AI and now combine that experience with newer tools that help automate repetitive parts without abandoning restoration discipline.