How AI Removes Scratches from Old Family Photos

Scratches are among the most common damage types in old family photos — the surface of photographic paper is vulnerable to physical damage during handling, and decades of casual storage produces scratches that obscure image detail. AI scratch removal is one of restoration's most reliable techniques.

The Challenge

Scratch removal works differently based on scratch orientation and severity. Fine parallel scratches from drawer storage respond to frequency-based filtering. Deep scratches that penetrate the emulsion require inpainting-based reconstruction. The algorithm automatically identifies the scratch type and applies appropriate treatment.

How AI Helps

PhotoFix scratch removal is applied at multiple scales — fine surface scratches are addressed by texture analysis, while major scratches are handled by content-aware inpainting. The multi-scale approach recovers image content from both superficial and deep scratch damage.

Next Steps

Gather your photographs, scan at the highest resolution available (600 DPI minimum), and visit PhotoFix to start the restoration process. AI tools can handle damage that once required expensive professional services, making preservation accessible for every family.