The Photo Restoration Blog
Search by keyword
Select a category
Browse by topic
Restoring and Colouring the Archives for the Channel 4 Documentary The Space Race in Colour
The new Channel 4 series The Space Race in Colour follows the space dreamers who beat the odds to reach the moon. Woodcut Media produced the two part documentary, which aired on Saturday 26th September with episode one at 8pm and episode two at 9pm. This project...
WW2 Halifax Bomber Photo Restoration – Bobby Singer’s Sierra-Sue
Restoring the Sierra-Sue Halifax bomber photo The photo arrived in poor shape. Torn across one corner, the emulsion lifting in patches, a heavy stain spreading over the fuselage where the image had sat against damp card for decades. Two lines of handwriting cross the...
Restoring and Colouring the Archives for the Channel 4 Documentary The Race for Ancient Egypt in Colour
The new Channel 4 series The Race for Ancient Egypt in Colour explores the years between the World Wars. This era saw archaeology become a weapon for national sovereignty. Woodcut Media produced this two-part documentary. It reveals how the hunt for relics drove...
Britain’s Railway Empire in Colour TV Documentary Channel 4
The new Channel 4 series Britain's Railway Empire in Colour explores a fascinating era of industrial expansion. Woodcut Media produced this two-part documentary. It reveals how the railways acted as a tool for the British Empire. This project marks another successful...
Restoring and Colouring the Archives for the Channel 5 Documentary The Three Kings of 1936
I am proud to announce my work as a Photo Restoration Artist and Colourist. The documentary special The Three Kings of 1936 was produced by Woodcut Media. It premiered on Channel 5 on March 7th 2026. Restored archival stills for this production are subject to...
The Boy and the “Royal” Catch: A Barrow-in-Furness Time Capsule
As a photo restorer working with clients across the UK, I often get a front-row seat to regional history. Every so often, a photograph lands on my desk that tells a story far larger than the frame itself. This was exactly the case when Mrs. Gannon contacted me from...
Sepia photos and why the “Black & White Era” is Fake History
Why were old photos sepia? Sepia was a chemical byproduct of silver sulfide conversion used to stabilize photographic prints. It was a preservative used by early photographers, not an artistic style choice. Is colorizing historical photos accurate? Accuracy in restoration depends on ‘visual archaeology’—the process of researching geological, botanical, and historical data to match the original gray tones captured by specific film types.
Military Photo Restoration: Restoring True Uniform Colours
Key Takeaways: Expert Military Restoration Global Accuracy: We specialise in a research-first principle. Medal Detail: Authentic colourisation of honours, medals, stripes and ribbons requires manual research, not AI guessing. Rank Precision: We identify distinct...
Writing to preserve photographic memories.
Restoring a photo is only the first step. Learn how to document the stories behind your images to create a lasting family legacy.
Sun faded photo restoration
Sun Faded Photo Restoration: Rescuing Your UV-Damaged Memories Do you have cherished family photos, beach memories, or wedding pictures that have slowly faded away while sitting on your mantelpiece? Watching your favourite images lose their colour and detail can be...
Can AI Colorize Old Photos? Artificial Intelligence vs. Professional Restoration
Artificial Intelligence has revolutionised how we edit images, raising the big question: Can you colourise old photos with AI for free online? The short answer is yes, but with significant caveats. While AI tools like MyHeritage and Photoshop’s Neural Filters can...
Photo restoration – 10 reasons why you need one
Have you looked at your old family photo albums recently? Are the pictures yellowing, torn, or covered in scratches? Watching precious memories fade away can be heartbreaking—but you don't have to let them disappear. Professional photo restoration does more than just...