Fortunately, modern artificial intelligence can work wonders, but even the smartest tool needs quality "source material."

In this article, we'll look at how to properly prepare old photos for digital restoration using Memoreel, so the result is not just "good," but stunning.

1
From paper to a digital file

It all starts with digitization. Of course, a professional scanner provides the best quality, but you can achieve excellent results with a regular smartphone if you follow a few basic rules.

How to properly photograph an old photo:

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Lighting is everything Photograph in daylight (for example, near a window). Smartphone sensors work best at low ISO – that means less digital noise and more detail.
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Avoid glare and shadows Don't try to shoot directly from above if there's a bright lamp above you – you'll see your own shadow. Instead, place the photo on a flat surface and find an angle where the light is even.
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Clean lens This sounds obvious, but fingerprints on the camera lens are the main reason for "hazy" photos. Wipe it before every shot!
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Stability Hold your phone steady. If possible, rest your hands against a table.
2
Framing (Crop)

Once the photo is taken, it's important to "trim the excess." Artificial intelligence works better when it doesn't have to analyze album edges, a table, or a rug in the background.

Use the crop tool: You can do this in your phone's gallery or directly in the Memoreel editor (look for the scissors icon).

Golden rule: The less unnecessary information around the photograph itself, the more accurately the AI can recognize faces and textures.

Proper photo cropping (Crop) - example
After restoration (expanded) Before restoration
Before
After

Keep in mind: If you don't crop the image precisely to the edges, the AI will try to "generate" additional background. Some may find this an interesting effect (expanded frame), while others may see it as an unwanted artifact, so it's safer to crop precisely along the photo edge.

3
Choosing a filter – Film or Digital?

Memoreel offers two main approaches to restoration. The choice depends on your taste and the condition of the original:

Recommended
Film filter

Preserves the classic film grain and warm tones. Tests show that this filter often provides the most natural result, especially if the original is heavily damaged.

Alternative
Digital filter

Produces a modern, sharp, and very clean image. It often creates a "Wow!" effect, but be careful – if the faces in the original are very poorly visible, this filter may introduce minor visual imperfections.

Memoreel filter selection

Tip: Start with one photograph, try both options, and compare which one best suits your family archive.

Restored photograph - film filter
4
Additional options (Extra section)

Memoreel is not just an "enhancer" – it's a tool that lets you fine-tune the details:

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Eye color If the automatic mode hasn't guessed the correct eye color, you can manually specify it in the "Extra" section.
Eye color specification
Eye color menu
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Aspect ratio change Here you can convert a vertical image to horizontal (16:9) or vice versa. This is especially useful if you want to use the old photo for Instagram Stories or as a desktop wallpaper.
Summary: Remember this!
✓ The better the uploaded image, the better the result
✓ Use daylight and clean the lens
✓ Crop the excess - focus on the photograph itself
✓ Start with the Film filter - it provides the most natural result
✓ Don't be afraid to experiment with Memoreel settings

Ready to bring your memories back to life?

Head to MemoReel and try restoring your first photograph right now!

Start now First photo restoration is free. No registration required.