Preparing Your Photos for Restoration
A Guide from PhotoMD
Every photograph tells a story — and the quality of the original image plays a major role in how
successfully it can be restored. While modern restoration tools are remarkably powerful, some
limitations still exist. Images that are severely blurred, extremely low resolution, or missing important
facial details may not be fully recoverable. The good news: the better the starting image, the better the
final restoration.
Best Option: Scan the Original Photo
Whenever possible, a direct scan produces the highest-quality results.
• Flatbed scanner preferred
• Minimum 600 dpi recommended
• Scan in color, even for black & white photographs
• TIFF or highest-quality JPEG preferred
• Even damaged or faded originals often scan surprisingly well
If You Cannot Scan the Photo
A smartphone photo of the original print can still work very well if done carefully.
• Use bright, even lighting (indirect daylight works best)
• Avoid glare, reflections, and harsh shadows
• Lay the photo completely flat
• Hold the camera directly above the photograph
• Keep the phone parallel to the image to avoid distortion
• Capture the entire photo with only a small border around the edges
• Use the highest resolution available
• Do not digitally zoom
• Take several shots — small differences in lighting and focus matter
What Cannot Always Be RestoredRestoration may be limited when:
• Faces are severely blurred
• Important features are missing
• The image is extremely low resolution
• Large portions of the photograph are destroyed
• The original photo is significantly out of focus
PhotoMD focuses on realistic, respectful restoration — not artificial recreation. The goal is always to
preserve the authenticity, expression, and character of the original image whenever possible.
Helpful Extras
• Names of people in the photograph
• Approximate year or era
• Additional reference photos of the same person
• Special requests or family stories connected to the image
Honest Evaluations
Not every photograph can be successfully restored. If a submitted image is determined to be
unrecoverable or unlikely to produce a meaningful result, there will be no charge for the evaluation or
submission. PhotoMD believes in realistic expectations, thoughtful restoration, and preserving
authenticity whenever possible.
A Note About Reconstruction
Some severely damaged images may require reconstruction or artistic interpretation beyond traditional
restoration. When appropriate, AI-assisted reconstruction techniques may be discussed, but these
methods are distinct from archival restoration and may not always preserve exact historical accuracy.
Many damaged photographs can still be improved dramatically — even when they initially appear
beyond repair. If you are unsure whether a photo can be restored, feel free to submit it for evaluation.
Sometimes the results can be remarkable.
PhotoMD
Established 2003