Photo restoration for dummies (a friendly guide for everyone)
If you have a box of family photos and no idea where to start, this guide is for you. We keep the language simple, stay away from tech jargon, and walk you from "what do I even click?" to "wow, I can frame this."
What "restoration" really means
Restoration is the process of repairing visible damage and improving clarity so the photo looks closer to the way it did when it was new. You might be looking at a faded or yellow tint, a scratch or crease across a face, a scattering of dust or stains, or soft faces because the original scan was tiny. AI tools help by spotting damage, repairing small gaps, and improving sharpness and color. Think of the software as a smart assistant that suggests careful touch-ups rather than a magic wand that rewrites your family history.
A quick start in ten minutes
Head to clear.photo if you want the true "for dummies" path. Choose one photo that matters to you and make a quick scan with your phone or a flatbed scanner. Upload it to clear.photo, select Restore, and wait a moment for the preview. If the photo feels tiny or a little soft, add Upscale so you get a larger and clearer copy. When the result looks good, download it, save it somewhere safe, and either print it or share it with your family. That first success gives you confidence to return later for a deeper clean or a higher quality scan. Quick links: Restoration and Upscaler.
Scanning without stress
You can rely on a phone camera or a scanner. The phone route is fast and perfectly fine for most memories. Place the photo on a plain, dark surface near a window with indirect light, clean the phone lens with a soft cloth, and hold the phone straight above the print so the frame is full. Take a handful of shots, pick the sharpest one, and watch for glare. If you see streaks of light, shift your position or adjust the angle slightly before trying again.
A scanner shines when you are working with prints or album pages. Set the resolution between 300 and 600 dpi, using the higher value for tiny wallet-size pictures. Wipe the glass with a microfiber cloth and avoid spraying liquid on the surface. Scan in color even if the photo is black and white, because it preserves more detail, and save the file as JPEG for a smaller size or TIFF/PNG if you want every bit of information. If an album page resists, photograph the page instead of forcing the print loose, and pause to ask a professional when a photo feels glued in place.
What the AI actually does
Behind the scenes, the software fills in scratches and small tears by borrowing nearby pixels, reduces grain and random specks while keeping clear edges around faces and clothing, balances color so skin looks natural rather than orange or green, and sharpens soft details from tiny prints or old scans. You still guide the final look, deciding whether to keep the original mood, add gentle color, or stick with classic black and white.
Settings that matter (and the easy choices)
Resolution, file type, and color settings influence the outcome. Higher resolution is the safe bet, so aim for 300 dpi when you scan if you are unsure. JPEG files work well for everyday sharing, while TIFF or PNG preserve every detail at the cost of larger sizes. Scanning in color is still recommended even if you plan to keep the restored version in monochrome.
Print size cheat sheet
Use these numbers to match print size with enough pixels for a crisp result: a 4×6 inch print needs about 1200 by 1800 pixels, a 5×7 inch print needs roughly 1500 by 2100 pixels, an 8×10 inch print likes 2400 by 3000 pixels, and a 12×18 inch enlargement looks best at 3600 by 5400 pixels or higher. If your scan comes in smaller, run Upscale after restoration before sending it to the printer.
Simple cleanup before you scan
Clean hands keep fingerprints away, so wash and dry them first. Gently brush dust off the surface with a soft brush and skip household cleaners or water entirely. A tidy workspace without drinks nearby goes a long way toward protecting fragile originals.
When to try again
Glare or shine in the scan usually means light is bouncing from overhead fixtures, so move away from ceiling lights or tilt the photo slightly and reshoot. If faces still look soft after the first restore, run Upscale and then apply Restore to the larger version. When colors feel strange after colorizing, compare it with a black-and-white version or lower the color strength. Deep tears across a face can improve dramatically, yet perfection is rare; a better scan or a specialist can push the result further.
Keep the "old photo" feel
It is easy to over-polish. Ask yourself whether the image still feels like it belongs to your family or if it resembles a modern stock photo. When the charm of the era starts to fade, dial back the strength or keep a hint of the original grain.
File names and backups matter
Keep the original scan untouched as your safety net. Give files clear names-something like 1991-grandma-birthday-original.jpg and 1991-grandma-birthday-restored.jpg-so they are easy to find. Save them in at least two places you control, such as your computer and a trusted cloud drive, to prevent another round of detective work later.
Quick FAQ
Do I need a scanner? A clear phone photo works for most jobs.
How long does it take? A single photo usually takes only a few minutes from scan to download.
Can I print the result? Yes. Use the cheat sheet above, and if you are unsure, upscale once before printing.
Should I colorize black-and-white? It is a personal choice. Try it, compare the options, and pick the version that feels right.
What about very damaged photos? You will still see an improvement. For extreme cases-missing faces, burns, severe water damage-combine a careful scan with Restore, Upscale, and, if needed, help from a professional retoucher.
Ready to give it a try? Pick one photo you love, scan it simply, upload it to clear.photo, tap Restore, and watch your memory come back to life.