How to make an old photo look new in photoshop

The art of photo restoration! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make an old photo look new in Photoshop:

Before you start:

1. Scan or import the photo: Scan the photo at a high resolution (at least 300 DPI) or import it from your digital camera or phone.
2. Save a copy: Save a copy of the original photo before making any changes. This will ensure you have a backup in case something goes wrong.

Step 1: Remove dust and scratches

1. Use the Spot Healing Brush: Select the Spot Healing Brush tool (J) and set the brush size to around 50-100 pixels. Brush over the dust and scratches to remove them.
2. Use the Clone Stamp Tool: If the Spot Healing Brush doesn't work, use the Clone Stamp Tool (S) to clone a clean area of the photo over the dust or scratch.

Step 2: Adjust brightness and contrast

1. Use the Levels adjustment: Go to Image > Adjustments > Levels (Ctrl+L) and adjust the black, white, and gray points to balance the brightness and contrast.
2. Use the Curves adjustment: Go to Image > Adjustments > Curves (Ctrl+M) and adjust the curve to fine-tune the brightness and contrast.

Step 3: Remove fading and yellowing

1. Use the Color Balance adjustment: Go to Image > Adjustments > Color Balance (Ctrl+B) and adjust the color balance to remove yellowing or fading.
2. Use the Hue/Saturation adjustment: Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation (Ctrl+U) and adjust the hue and saturation to remove any unwanted color casts.

Step 4: Enhance details and texture

1. Use the Unsharp Mask filter: Go to Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask (Ctrl+Shift+F) and adjust the settings to enhance the details and texture.
2. Use the Surface Blur filter: Go to Filter > Blur > Surface Blur (Ctrl+Shift+F) and adjust the settings to smooth out the texture while preserving the details.

Step 5: Remove tears and creases

1. Use the Content-Aware Fill: Select the torn or creased area and go to Edit > Content-Aware Fill (Ctrl+Shift+Delete). Photoshop will fill the area with a matching background.
2. Use the Clone Stamp Tool: If the Content-Aware Fill doesn't work, use the Clone Stamp Tool (S) to clone a clean area of the photo over the tear or crease.

Step 6: Save and export

1. Save the edited photo: Save the edited photo as a new file (e.g., JPEG or TIFF).
2. Export the photo: Export the edited photo in the desired format and resolution.

Tips and Variations:

• Use the "Reconstruct" feature in the Content-Aware Fill to fill larger areas.
• Use the "Perspective Warp" tool to correct perspective distortions.
• Use the "Healing Brush" tool to remove blemishes and imperfections.
• Experiment with different brush sizes and settings to achieve the desired effect.
• Consider using third-party plugins or scripts to automate certain tasks.

Remember, photo restoration is an art that requires patience, attention to detail, and practice. Don't be afraid to experiment and try different techniques to achieve the best results.