How to Repair an Old Torn Photo in Photoshop

The results of this episode will absolutely astound you! Learn how to completely repair an old torn photo in Photoshop!

Reassembling the Photo

If you want to put together an old torn photo, you’ll need to start by scanning it in to a computer. Don’t worry if it’s in multiple pieces- we can fix that! Just be sure to Begin by selecting the pieces of the photo. Duplicate the background layer while they are selected so that you don’t work on the background layer. Then, cut and paste the pieces to be on their own individual layers. You can now use the move tool to bring them back to their original positions. Be sure to align all of the elements of the photo.

Dust and Scratches Begone!

Here are the tools to use for editing out tears, scratches, and any other blemish that can be found on your old photo:

Spot healing brush tool:
-Samples from a source automatically
-Best used for small, isolated blemishes
-Be sure to select “content aware” at the top of Photoshop

Clone stamp tool:
-You choose the source sample, which allows for much more control
-Be cautious of duplicating obvious spots

Brush tool:
-Only use if there are next to no options for sampling
-Takes a good eye and and a steady hand (this is essentially hand painting)
-Might require added noise to look realistic
-Much easier with a tablet than with a mouse

Fixing Discoloration

If you are working with an old aged photo, often times there will be a lot of discoloration in the image. To balance the colors we use a selective color adjustment layer, because it make it very easy to target specific colors (as well as whites, blacks, and neutrals) and then alter them.

[Dezgadgets_n_things]

Aaron, Just want to thank you for this.  I truly believe Phlearn will receive Karma 10 fold for this one.  this will truly bring joy to sooo many people.  There are plenty of us who have older family with photos in the same condition that would love to see there old tattered images restored to their full glory.  This will bring tears to some & warm heart felt smiles to others.  Thanks Aaron.  

[Erickhetfield]

I've always wanted some in depth tutorial about photo restoration. This is very useful and fun to do. Could you guys make a tutorial about colorize black and white old photos? Thanks for the awesome job. Aaron is the best.

[MrMoonpie]

This maybe the best episode I have seen to date!  Aaron, the thing I love about the videos you and your team make are the explanation behind tools!  This is such a great help, especially to us who are new.  When I began this quest to learn Photoshop and photography my first and daunting question was, "What makes a good photograph?"  I can now see how all of this is beginning to come together.  Thank you for your videos and increasing my depth of understanding.

I appreciate all you do!

Moonpie  

[phinster]

This is by far the best retouching and repair tut I have seen on youtube. Excellent Skills and Technical ability.

[TonyOwenUK]

Truly awesome. Before watching Phlearn religiously Photoshop always seemed like black magic. You explain each step brilliantly and it all makes perfect sense, great job :)

[Paulom]

This is by far one of the best tutorials i've ever watched. It would have taken any other guy at least an hour to do this job on screen. Thanks a lot, Aaron

[GeezerMike]

One of the more informative tutorials from the best photoshop site on Youtube and the WEB

[MyChannel-hcgu]

This is the BEST Photoshop tutorial I have found. I'm taking graphic design in school and have been working on restoring photos for fun. This video taught me so much more than I already knew. Thanks!

[nenadblazin]

I used to be so scared of photoshop until you guys came along. Thank you so much for making it simple. In the ocean on photoshop you're a safe island for islanders like me! Aaron you're the best! Best regards from Serbia.

[michaelcloud]

I believe by far this is one of the greats in photo restoration tutorials. Great explanation on the tools needed and what and how to use them. Please add more of these type of tutorials. Please Please Please. God Bless

[RosaBrandDesigns]

I've got a lot of family photos from the early 1900s and you just made my life a million times easier. Thank you!!! <3

[HarjeetKaur]

Sir, you are the best teacher I've ever seen. Finding a way through this software isn't as hard because you take so much time and effort to explain what you are doing and why you're doing it.. Thank you so much for phlearn!

[jayjay]

That's the reason why I subscribed to this channel. You're so the best. Thumbs up!

[ezmetics]

This tutorial is probably my favourite on this youtube channel... The results are astonishing.

[mixandreo]

Kinda new to photoshop and trying my best to learn, your tutorials are the best out there. You are trying to make them as short as possible and full of great information.
In short .. thank you and thanks to all the team

[CaiShuRen]

Fantastic tutorials. I always look forward to seeing a new episode of PHLEARN week after week. I must say it is THE best photoshop tutorials in youtube ever.

[cambike]

Again, excellent easy to follow tutorial.

Would love to spend a day learning with you.

Thanks again for the best channel on Youtube

[CraigPerry]

Outstanding. You post great stuff normally but this has serious wow factor.

[madddog]

Great, and I mean GREAT episode! I consider myself an intermediate "shopper" and this video was a tremendous help to me personally. Once again, thanks

[alanpantilanan]

This is the best tutorial in photoshop i've seen...keep up the good work..