Restoring old photos is one of the coolest things you can do in digital photography. The best part is that anyone can do it. All it takes is a scanner and a nice image editing program.

Important Photo Restoration Tools

There are many several tools that you just can't do without when it comes to restoring photos.

Cloning tool

This is my favorite tool. Depending on the program it may go by different names such as clone stamp tool, rubber stamp, or copy tool. Basically, it lets you copy an undamaged area of the photo over a damaged area - thus "healing the photo.

Dodge and Burn Tools

The dodge tool lets you lighten the area of the photo that you paint over - this is a great tool for lightening up areas of a photo that are hidden in the shadows.

The Burn tool does just the opposite. By painting over an area using the burn tool you can darken the photo. Often this tool will enhance details.

Brush Sizes

Nearly every tool you use in photo restoration requires that you adjust the brush size to match the size of the blemishes that you are covering. Whatever program you use to restore images - it is critical that you are able to vary the brush size.

Convert to Black and White

Often photos are too faded or discolored to restore to their state. In cases like these it is often better to convert the whole image to black and white. In good photo editors it is best to do this by removing the saturation from the image.

Colorize the Image

Often people want to know how to add color to given areas of a black and white image. The best way to do this is to create a new layer then paint on the transparent layer. After painting the given area adjust the layer's opacity and state.

I have created a CD to accompany this topic. It is $5 + $2 shipping.

If you are interested - email me.