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Restore Old Photos Using AI Just in Seconds

August 15, 2024 471 views

Storing photos in digital format is a great option, allowing you to browse through your collection at any moment from anywhere, as long as you have the device on which you stored the photos. However, storing and displaying photos of your loved ones in traditional paper form is timeless, as it gives you a more tangible feel as you relish the memories of the good old days. Unfortunately, traditional photographs, whether Polaroid or glossy paper, will eventually wear over time.

Since the picture quality wasn't the best back then, trying to restore the pictures only makes matters more difficult using traditional methods. But the advent of AI is paving the path to reviving old photos with just a click, so you can recall your memories in the best way possible and remember your loved ones with a clear, vivid image. AI-powered tools can restore these precious photos, ensuring your memories are preserved beautifully for future generations.

Restore Old Photos Using AI


What is AI Photo Editing?

As the name implies, AI photo editing refers to photo editing that utilizes the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist you in enhancing and modifying your photos. AI photo editors eliminate the need of performing certain manual tasks such as removing backgrounds, enhancing image quality, cutting and moving subjects, and making color and contrast adjustments by allowing you all that in just a single click.

These tools employ machine learning and advanced algorithms to analyze your photos and perform the necessary edits, allowing you to achieve more in less time. AI photo editors offer numerous benefits, including:

  • Time-saving: Automating repetitive tasks like color correction frees up your time for more strategic endeavors.

  • Creativity boost: AI tools expand the boundaries of creativity, offering features like generative fill and style transfer to enhance your work.

  • Quality improvement: Enhancements like upscaling low-resolution images and removing blemishes can significantly improve photo quality.

  • Cost reduction: Many AI photo editors are free or have affordable subscription models, making them accessible for both personal use and small businesses.

  • Enhanced accuracy: AI tools achieve a level of precision in edits that is often difficult to replicate manually.

What is WPS Photos?

When you think of WPS, chances are you think of the notorious all-in-one office suite. However, WPS Photos is a standalone photo editing and viewing tool powered by AI, allowing you to perform much more than you can imagine. From simply viewing images to compressing them for sharing or using them in your documents, WPS Photos offers all the major AI photo editor features, including Magic Eraser, Background Remover, Upscaler, and Blur Remover.

It truly completes the whole productivity package by sorting your photos, editing, and more all under a single umbrella tool. With WPS Photos, your productivity will know no bounds.

WPS Photos
  • Advanced AI: WPS Photos leverages cutting-edge AI technology to enhance your images effortlessly.

  • Beginner-friendly: Its intuitive interface makes it easy for beginners to start editing photos like pros.

  • One-step office: Seamlessly integrates with the WPS Office suite, providing a unified experience.

  • Favorable price: Offers a cost-effective solution for photo editing and viewing.

How to Restore Old Photos Using AI?

Restoring old photos can be a deeply satisfying experience, especially when you see cherished memories come back to life. I recently used WPS Photos to restore a damaged old photo of my grandmother with the help of its AI tools, and I’m excited to share the process with you. I know you might initially think, "This will be too difficult", recalling the challenges of traditional photo editing methods. But trust me, these AI tools are incredibly user-friendly and make the process much simpler than you might expect.

Step 1: Upload Photo in WPS Photos

To start, you need to upload your old photo into WPS Photos:

  • Right-click on the photo you want to restore.

  • From the context menu, select “Open with”.

  • In the flyout menu, choose “WPS Photos” to open the image.

Upload picture into WPS Photos

And just like that, your image will open in WPS Photos!

Pro Tip: WPS Photos is compatible with various image formats, including JPEG, PNG, WebP, and JPG. If your old photo is in a different format, you might need to convert it first. There are many free online tools available for this, or you can use the "Save As" function in most image viewing programs to change the format.

Step 2: Restore Old Photo Using AI

Now that we have our photo ready in WPS Photos, let's move on to the exciting part – restoration! WPS Photos offers a range of AI-powered tools that make this process both easy and exciting.

To begin editing, click on the "Edit" button in the top right corner of the WPS Photos interface. This will open the WPS Photos editor, where you'll find all the basic picture editing tools alongside the AI tools we'll be using.

Edit photos on WPS Photos

Enhance Image Quality

The first step in restoration is to sharpen and clarify the image. Here's how:

  • Click on the "AI Enhancer" tab on the right pane.

  • Select the "Image Quality Enhancer" tool.

  • Apply the enhancement and watch as your old image becomes clearer and less blurry.

WPS Photos Image Quality Enhancer tool

I was amazed at how this tool brought out details I hadn't noticed before. The grain of my granny's cardigan suddenly became visible. Here is how the image turned out after using the WPS Photos Image Quality Enhancer tool.

Comparing images before and after the enhancing tool

Upscale Image (2x, 4x)

Next, let's improve the resolution:

  • Still in the "AI Enhancer" tab, locate the "AI Image Upscaler" section.

  • Choose either "2x Upscaler" or "4x Upscaler", depending on how much you want to increase the resolution.

WPS Photos AI Image Upscaler

The difference this makes is incredible. Even when zoomed in, the image remains sharp and clear. In professional terms, this process increases the pixel density, allowing for larger prints or displays without losing quality. I could now see the sparkle in my granny's eyes!

Comparing images before and after Upscaling

Colorize Photos

If your photo is black and white like mine was, this next step is truly magical:

  • Find the "B&W Photo Colorizer" tool in the AI tools section.

  • Apply the tool and watch as AI fills your image with lifelike colors.

WPS Photos B&W Photo Colorizer

I was genuinely moved when I saw my granny's photo in color for the first time. The AI did an impressive job of guessing the colors – her favorite off-white dress was spot on, and even the warm tone of her skin looked natural. It felt like the photo had been taken yesterday, not decades ago.

Comparing images before and after B&W Photo Colorizer

Throughout this process, I was consistently impressed by the intuitive interface of WPS Photos. Each tool is readily accessible with just a click, and the results are immediate. This stands in stark contrast to the complex photo editing software I’ve used previously.

Step 3: Preview and Download the Restored Photo

You're almost done! Here's how to save your masterpiece:

1. Before saving the restored photo, take a moment to preview it. You might need to upscale it to 4x or sharpen the image further. Use the AI tools to make any final adjustments to your restored image.

Preview image on WPS Photos Editor

2. When you're satisfied, click the "Save" button to save your restored image.

Save restored image


3. If you want to convert the image to a PDF (great for sharing or printing), click on the "Save as" button and select the "Export to PDF" option.

Export restored image PDF using WPS Photos Save as feature


And there you have it – your old photo, restored to its former glory (or perhaps even better)!

Compared to traditional photo editing tools, WPS Photos' AI features make enhancing old photos using AI straightforward, even for those with no prior experience in photo editing. The process is not only easy but also deeply rewarding. Seeing my grandmother’s photo transformed into a clearer, more colorful, and higher-quality image brought back a flood of memories and put a big smile on my face.

Restored photos are ideal for creating family albums, printing and framing, or using in digital photo frames. They provide a meaningful way to connect younger generations with their family history, vividly bringing the past to life.

I encourage you to try this with your own old photos. Whether it’s faded vacation snapshots or grainy portraits of long-lost relatives, WPS Photos can help you preserve and enhance these precious memories. It’s the best software for photo restoration available today, offering a free AI tool for photo restoration that truly brings your images back to life.

Bonus Tips: WPS AI Eraser Tools

In July, WPS Office introduced an impressive new tool designed to boost productivity and streamline your workflow. WPS Photos is a standalone application that goes beyond simple photo viewing. Powered by AI, it combines advanced photo editing capabilities with a productivity suite’s photo viewer. Whether you need to compress images or perform professional-grade edits, WPS Photos has all the tools you need to excel.

Let's take a look at another WPS Photos AI tool to erase unwanted objects from an image.

Step 1: Open the image from which you want to erase an object in WPS Photos.

Open Image in WPS Photos


Step 2: Hover over the "Edit" button on the top right and select "AI Eraser" from the drop-down menu.

WPS Photos Edit button


Step 3: The image will now open in WPS Photos Editor, a dedicated photo editing tool.

WPS Photos Editor


Step 4: Under the "AI Eraser Tools" section, you have two options to choose from for erasing unwanted objects from the image:

  • AI Eraser: Simply hover over the unwanted object, and WPS AI will highlight it. Click on the highlighted object to erase it from the image.

WPS Photos Editor AI Eraser


  • Smart Eraser: Use the smart eraser to select the unwanted object with a brush and erase it from the image.

WPS Photos Editor Smart Eraser


Step 5: Once the unwanted object has been erased, preview the image. If necessary, use other AI tools provided by WPS Photos to enhance the image quality, remove the background, or add watermarks.

WPS Photos Editor Preview Image


Step 6: Save the image by clicking on the "Save" button at the bottom of the toolbar.

Save image after editing with WPS Photos AI Eraser Tools


Step 7: If you want to export the image as a PDF, click on the "Save as" button and then select the "Export to PDF" option to save the image as a PDF.

Save image as PDF after editing with WPS Photos AI Eraser Tools


FAQs:

1. What types of damage can AI photo restoration fix?

AI Photo Restorer can repair various types of damage in old photos, bringing them back to life. Here are the main issues it can fix:

  • Surface Imperfections: Eliminate scratches and folds to restore smoothness.

  • Blemishes and Marks: Clean up stains and spots for a flawless look.

  • Color Loss: Revive washed-out colors to make the photo vibrant again.

  • Image Blurriness: Enhance sharpness for clearer details.

  • Facial Clarity: Refine facial features for a more defined and natural appearance.

2. How does AI photo restoration compare to manual methods?

Here is how AI photo restoration differs from manual methods:

  • Speed and Efficiency: AI restoration delivers results in seconds or minutes, whereas traditional manual editing can take hours.

  • Accessibility: AI tools are easy to use and require no specialized skills, making photo restoration accessible to everyone.

  • Consistency: AI provides consistent results for all photos, whereas manual editing can produce varying outcomes depending on the skill of the person doing the work.

Rediscover Memories Now With WPS Photos!

Old photos hold immense and indescribable potential for unleashing feelings and emotions beyond our imagination, especially for those to whom these photos mean the most. I have witnessed this firsthand, seeing how my grandmother was overjoyed and then overcome by sadness by the pictures. Yet, at the end of it all, it was the fact that she was able to cherish the memories, recall them, and revisit her old days that meant the most to me.

Without WPS Photos, this wouldn't have happened. It is a tool worth exploring. I highly recommend opting for WPS Photos for upscaling photos, as they truly give "upscale" a whole new meaning.

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.