Proofsheet
Restore an old portrait photo — example resultReal example
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Downloads the original example, not your own edited photo. On phones that open it instead, touch and hold the full image to save it.

Made with this exact default prompt; output can vary.

Photo editPortraitsFamily

Restore an old portrait photo

A cleaned-up copy of an old single-person portrait with scratches and dust removed. Upload a clear photo, paste this prompt into ChatGPT, Gemini or Grok, change the parts in brackets to suit you, and generate.

Part of the Old photo restoration trend

Written for
ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok
You'll need
A clear photo to upload
Status
Tested 19 Oct 2026 in grok-imagine-image-2.0
Test settings
Reference photo: an AI-generated old photo of fictional adults, made to look damaged for this test. Uploaded with the default copy text unchanged. Aspect ratio matched the reference photo (3:4). First result used; resized to 1200x1600 and converted to WebP.
Variability
Repairs and colours are the model's guess and vary between runs; always compare with your original photo.
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Prompt
Use the uploaded old photo as the reference and restore it; the person in it is me or a member of my family. Keep the face exactly as it is: same features, expression, age, skin tone and proportions; do not beautify, slim or reshape it; check the result against the original.
Scene: the same portrait with the same framing and background, with scratches, dust spots and small stains removed.
Pose: keep the pose exactly as in the original.
Clothing: keep the original clothes and jewellery; repair only damaged areas.
Light: keep the original light direction and contrast.
Style: carefully restored photograph, keeping the original black-and-white tones, fine natural grain kept, no added detail.
Format: same aspect ratio as the original photo
Avoid: changing the face, age or expression, adding colour, adding new objects, over-sharpening, plastic-looking skin, text, logos, watermarks.

Customise

For example: scratches, dust spots and small stains.

For example: keeping the original black-and-white tones.

Fields start with illustrative values; replace them with your own facts. The prompt updates as you type. Copy prompt copies your version.

How to use it

  1. Open an external image tool listed above. The tested model, if any, is named in Status.
  2. Upload a clear reference photo of the subject. If it includes identifiable people, get their consent and check each face.
  3. Customise the fields, copy your version, paste it with the photo and generate.
  4. Compare the result with the reference. If a face, pose or detail changes, ask for one correction or try again; an exact match is not guaranteed.
How to use this prompt
  1. This prompt changes your own photo. Choose a clear reference photo, and get permission from people who can be identified.
  2. Upload the photo in the external AI app you chose. Fill Customise, press Copy prompt and paste the prompt with the photo.
  3. Compare the new picture with the original. Face, hands, clothes and pose can change. An exact likeness is not guaranteed.

Full guide: Search, Copy, Save and test labels

Good to know

  • Heavy damage across the face can make the model guess features; compare closely with the original.
  • Use reference photos you have the right to use; get consent from identifiable people.

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