This document provides instructions for restoring an old photograph using Photoshop. It recommends using non-destructive editing techniques like layers and masks instead of deleting pixels. Key steps include downloading the photo, rotating and cropping it, applying sharpening and noise reduction filters to the overall image, and then cloning, spot healing, and patch tools to fine tune repairs on a separate layer. Frequent saving in PSD format while working and different formats like JPEG or TIFF when finished is also advised.

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(Step by Step Instructable)
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Non Destructive Editing

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Using “Layers”

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Using “Masks” instead of deleting

5. I
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SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE
SAVE
In at least three places

6. I
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While working, save as “PSD” file type
When finished,
● If uploading to the web
→ Jpeg
Save for web vs. changing image size
● If archiving and
sufficient space
is available
→ Tiff
*Use a Png file type if a transparent
background needs to be saved.

7. Step 1:
Step 2:
Download this
(Or find an old photo)
File→ Open→
Find the download
(Or Drag and Drop it in)
Step 3:
Step 4: Copy the layer
Unlock

8. Your Screen should look like this:

9. Step 5:
Image→ Image Rotation→ 90 degrees CW
This is your tool bar.
It is usually located on the left hand side of
the screen. If it disappears, it can be found
under Window→ Tools. Scroll and hover
over each to find the tool you need.

10. Step 6: Find “crop.” It is the fifth button from the
top. Holding the mouse button down will open more
tools in each.
For every tool that is selected from the tool box,
a second menu set will appear at the top.
Common
error→
The check
mark on the
top right of
the screen
must be clicked before you can proceed.

11. Filter→ Sharpen→ Smart Sharpen.
Remove lens blur option. Experiment.
Rename your second layer by double clicking
on the name. Title “Overall,” Click the eye
on the layer to toggle its visibility on and off.
These overall changes save you much work down the road.
Final steps before fine tuning the image:
Filter→ Noise→ Dust and Scratches. Experiment with
Radius and Threshold

12. Click and drag “Overall” to the copy/new layer symbol at the
bottom of the Layers palette. It looks like a turning piece of
paper is located next to the trash can. This will copy your
layer.
Double
click the
layer
to rename

13. Work only on your “fine tuning” layer.
3x
Ctrl + is our hot key
for magnification.
Work methodically, left to right, across and down.
Clone stamping: Areas of damage that are too far gone to be
healed. Click the clone stamp tool, alt click an area you want
to copy, and click to paste the “cloned” area in. This is located
9 tools down and looks like a rubber stamp.
Fine Tuning Tools

14. Can you find
where the
spot was?
Spot Healing: This tool samples the information surrounding
it and “fills” in the spot based on that data. You can click a
spot or click and drag over a long line. The key is, to always
have the tool slightly larger than the defective area. Sizing
can be changed at the menu that appears with the tool. You
may have to right click and hold down on the tool to find it.

15. Patch Tool: This tool, like the spot healing brush, samples
the information surrounding it and “fills” in the area based on
that data. It is located with the spot healing brush. Click and
hold down to access it. Set the submenu to “destination.”
Use a
combination
of patch, spot,
and clone
stamping to
heal the tear.

16. Final Touches

17. Curves and Refer to slides 5 and 6