Realistic Photo Restorations Using AI and Photoshop

Restoring damaged photographs with AI can seem straightforward, but getting realistic results requires more than just a good algorithm. Knowing how to blend AI with human adjustments can drastically improve your restoration workflow.

Coming to you from Unmesh Dinda with PiXimperfect, this informative video breaks down the limitations of using AI-based tools like ChatGPT for photo restoration. Dinda tests multiple prompts designed to repair scratched or aged images, highlighting common issues like the AI creating results that don’t fully resemble the original subject. One key insight from the demonstration is how small facial features, especially lips and jawlines, often don't match precisely after AI restoration. To address this, Dinda walks through using Photoshop’s liquify tools to manually refine these mismatches. His straightforward approach reveals practical steps to maintaining realism and avoiding the uncanny valley, making the final image appear naturally restored.

In more complex restorations—where images are colorized or have substantial damage—AI-generated faces often deviate significantly from the original person. Dinda presents an effective workflow to resolve these issues, demonstrating how tools such as Photoshop's neural filters and Topaz Photo AI can be combined for better facial recovery. He emphasizes Topaz Photo AI's strong ability to restore facial features clearly, highlighting it as a preferred option when Photoshop alone isn't enough. Additionally, the video shows techniques like blend modes, alignment with the difference mode, and careful color correction to seamlessly merge the original image with AI-restored elements. These practical methods give you greater control, allowing for subtle yet impactful refinements.

Expanding on these core ideas, the tutorial dives deeper into enhancing the authenticity of AI-restored images. Dinda covers detailed approaches like selectively blurring overly sharpened AI-generated textures, carefully applying Gaussian blur, and reintroducing controlled sharpening and grain via Photoshop's Camera Raw Filter. These nuanced touches ensure your restorations don't have an artificial or overly digital appearance. By thoughtfully integrating these techniques, you can significantly elevate the realism and overall quality of your restored images. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Dinda.

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based photographer and meteorologist. He teaches music and enjoys time with horses and his rescue dogs.

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