Faded photos and so-so snapshots… we all have our share, don’t we? Maybe you have old family photos stuffed into shoe boxes or sitting around in albums. And as the years go by, they quietly fade into oblivion. But you don’t have to lose those memorable moments someone captured long ago. With a few simple steps, you can preserve those precious family photos so future generations can enjoy them too.
Or maybe you have some images that look, well… okay… but there’s just something about them that you feel is lacking. They might look a little dull or uninteresting. They could use a little zest and vibrance.
Here’s a super simple technique you can use in both cases to enhance your images before using them on your scrapbook layouts.
Step 1: Turn back the clock
- Open your faded photo in Elements. Press Ctrl J (Mac: Cmd J) to duplicate the layer. Name it Enhanced.
- Go to the Menu Bar and choose Enhance > Auto Levels. Already you may see some improvement in your image.
- With the Enhanced layer still selected, press Press Ctrl J (Mac: Cmd J) to duplicate that layer.
- With the top layer selected, go to the Blend Modes menu and click on Multiply. You may find that this significantly darkens your image, or it may only darken it a little bit.
- Lower the opacity on this layer until the image looks good to you. I set mine at 60%. Yours may differ.
- Finally, with the top layer selected, press Ctrl E (Mac: Cmd E) to merge the two Enhanced layers.
- Click on the eye icon next to the restored layer to hide it, and then compare it with your original image. Big difference, eh?
Now save your enhanced image as a JPG and rename it, leaving your original image intact.
Step 2: Turn up the volume!
You can also use this same technique to punch up any image that you feel could use a little extra boost of contrast or color. Take a look at these water lilies…the original image looks pretty nice. But, wow… what a difference in the enhanced version! Just follow the same simple steps outlined above.
And that’s how you can turn back the clock and turn up the volume on faded photos and so-so snapshots!
Image credits: Morguefile.com
Download a PDF version of this “A Quick Fix for Faded Photos” tutorial.
Windows: Right click on the link and choose “Save Target As” or a similar command.
Mac: Click on the link to download the file.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
How did you know?!!!
I’ve spent the last week emptying my shoebox full of our baby pictures from the 30s. Some of them are really faded. I also have a few polaroids that I was going to discard. I can’t wait to see if I can restore them. I’ll let you know how they come out. Thank you so much for this tut.
Thanks for the PDF file. I have to scan in old photos for my Mom and some are very faded. I was wondering how to of if I could fix them. I’ll give it a try next week. This came are just the right time!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for these PDFs. . . OMG I’ve learned so much from them……………………PLEEEEEEEEEEZ keep them come’n cause I’m really GRATEFUL for each one I receive……………………………..
Thank you this will be very helpful.
Thank you for these tutorials, and especially for including the Elements version!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m working on old family photos now.
How nice. Thanks for the tip. I have a number of pics that can use this.
Thanks everyone! So glad you’re enjoying the Tip! Please be sure to show us what your photo restorations look like (before and after) — post them in the Scrapper’s Guide Tip of the Week or Photography Galleries. You’ll find them at http://www.scrappersguide.com/forums. And if you’re not already a Forum member, why not register and join us! It’s free, and we get together every week to talk about the tips, ask and answer questions and inspire each other to grow in their creative skills!
Thanks, brilliant step by step i did my mum & dad’s photo that had faded badly from my siters wedding 20yrs ago. I tried this a year ago in GIMP but failed miserably, just goes to show free programs are no match for Photoshop !
Graham, so glad you enjoyed the tip, and were able to rescue your vintage photo. Yes, Photoshop is wonderful!
This is an incredible tip! I had a few pictures where the lens fogged up after exposing the camera from a cold a/c room to outside. I tested out the technique and the shots look 1000% better. Thanks a ton!
Jennifer, so glad it worked for you!