"Combining photo restoration with digital compositing to breathe new life into old memories."
When you set out to add a dead relative to a photo, you are often working with source material that has seen better days. Scratches, fading, and dust are the enemies of a realistic edit.
This article explains why "Restoration First" is the golden rule of memorial artistry and how to achieve it.
Why Restoration Must Come First
Imagine trying to sew a patch of faded, torn denim onto a brand new pair of dark blue jeans. It will stand out immediately. The same logic applies to photos.
- Resolution Mismatch: Old photos are often soft and grainy. Modern photos are sharp and clean.
- Damage: A scratch across a face might look "vintage" in the original photo, but once you cut that person out and put them in a modern setting, it just looks like a mistake.
The 3-Step Restoration Workflow
Step 1: Physical Cleaning
Before you even scan, wipe the photo with a microfiber cloth. Dust is easier to remove in real life than in Photoshop.
Step 2: AI Restoration
Upload your scan to a tool like Remini, MyHeritage Photo Enhancer, or VanceAI. These tools use deep learning to "hallucinate" missing details, sharpening eyes and smoothing skin.
Warning: The "Wax Figure" Effect
AI can sometimes over-smooth skin, making people look like plastic dolls. If this happens, dial back the strength of the enhancement or overlay a bit of the original grain to bring back texture.
Step 3: Colorization (Optional)
If your loved one is in black and white but the target photo is in color, use an AI Colorizer (like Palette.fm). It's not always perfect, but it provides a great base layer that you can tweak later.
Conclusion
By taking the time to restore your source image before you attempt to add a dead relative to a photo, you honor them twice: once by preserving their original image, and again by giving them a new life in the present.