BEFORE AND AFTER RESTORATION

BEFORE
original size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

AFTER

WHAT I DID: I first cropped the picture and then doubled the cropped size.  The main damage was the  light on the left side of the photo, so, I darkened that as best I could. The whole photo needed more contrast. I then colorized the photo.

BEFORE
original size: 2 7/16" x 3 1/2"
this was an old bent tintype with scratches

AFTER

WHAT I DID: As with the previous photo, I first cropped the picture and then doubled the cropped size.
I then got rid of the damage and filled in the clipped corner.  The photo needed to be brightened and the contrast adjusted.  I then colorized it.

Many of the photos on this site started out as xeroxed copies that relatives have sent to me.  I restored them as best I could, given what I had to work with.  While you can't add what isn't there, you can definitely improve what is.  Photos are a great way to bring the entire family into the genealogy project.  They don't have to be the finest photos to be of value to generations to come.  It is more fun to find out about great great grandpa when you know what he looked like.  It's also a great way to find out who all those mystery people are in your photos. By the way, the 2 photos on my opening page of Marion and Joseph were once a black and white photo of them together.

This was the before photo.