This One AI Tool Makes Family Photo Restorations EVEN BETTER [Gigapixel 7]
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Introduction
In the quest to preserve cherished family memories, especially after losing a loved one, scanning and restoring old photographs has become a vital process. After the recent passing of my father, I found myself diligently scanning our family photos to create digital copies. One particular request from my mother stood out: she wanted me to clean up a nostalgic photo of me as a toddler and print it anew. The original photograph, taken when I was just a little boy in Brooklyn, New York, had a resolution of about 6 megapixels and, while it was suitable for some edits, needed help in detail and clarity, particularly on my face.
Enter Topaz Labs' Gigapixel 7, an AI-powered upscaling application that has made waves with its second-generation face recovery model. Promising double the detail and preservation of original facial features when compared to the first model, it seemed like the ideal tool to enhance my childhood photo.
Preparing the Photo for Enhancement
Starting with the photo scanned using an Epson Picture Scanner, my first step was to crop the image appropriately for a 5x7 print. This involved adjusting the aspect ratio and positioning the crop to focus on me while maintaining a pleasing composition. After making the necessary adjustments, I decided to eliminate distracting artifacts using the content-aware removal tool, opting for this over the more advanced generative remove since it was sufficient for my needs.
Once the image was cropped and cleaned, I moved on to basic edits. This included adjusting the white balance, lowering the white point and highlights, and enhancing exposure. Adding an S-curve helped increase contrast, while a slight adjustment to the temperature countered the warm tone of the original photo. The changes I made were relatively minor but significantly improved the scanned photo's initial appearance.
Upscaling with Gigapixel 7
After exporting the edited image to my desktop, I opened it in Gigapixel 7.4.2. Upon uploading the image, I compared the original resolution alongside the upscaled version. Initially defaulting to the first-generation face recovery, I quickly switched to the Gen 2 feature, which immediately presented a cleaner and sharper outcome. With the option to adjust the slider for face recovery detail, I found a sweet spot that balanced clarity and naturalness.
Gigapixel 7 offers two operating modes: “Realistic” and “Creative.” Preferring the realistic approach, I proceeded with the recommended sharpening and denoise settings. The software’s comparison feature also allowed me to analyze various models, and I concluded that the low resolution V2 model provided the best results for my project.
Finishing Touches
Before finalizing the photo, I noticed some residual artifacts that required further attention. With Gigapixel effectively enhancing depth and detail, I returned to Lightroom for additional adjustments. This involved applying a mild color grade, enhancing shadows and highlights, adding clarity, and finishing with a vignette for greater focus on the subject.
The final image—now dramatically improved—was ready to be exported and sent to the printer. Overall, the combination of Gigapixel 7's Gen 2 Face Recovery and my meticulous editing process resulted in a photo that my mother would surely cherish.
As a recovering family photo restoration enthusiast, I can confirm that Gigapixel 7 has become an essential tool, especially for anyone working with old, low-resolution images. Its advancements in AI face recovery make it easier to bring those memories back to life, ensuring that they’re not only preserved but look stunning as well.
If you're interested in exploring Gigapixel 7 further, you can find a link below. Moreover, for those wanting to learn more about content-aware removal techniques, I’ve included a linked tutorial on that topic as well. Your support through likes and subscriptions is always appreciated, as it helps me share more valuable insights. Thank you for joining me on this journey through family memories and photography.
Keywords
- Gigapixel 7
- AI-powered upscaling
- Face recovery
- Photo restoration
- Family photos
- Content-aware removal
- Image editing
- Scanning photos
FAQ
Q: What is Gigapixel 7?
A: Gigapixel 7 is an AI-powered photo upscaling tool made by Topaz Labs, designed to enhance the resolution and quality of images, particularly effective for restoring lower-resolution photos.
Q: How does the second-generation face recovery model in Gigapixel 7 differ from the first?
A: The second-generation face recovery model offers double the detail and preserves original facial features better than the first model, resulting in a more natural and clearer outcome.
Q: Can I use Gigapixel 7 for any type of image?
A: While Gigapixel 7 can be used for various image types, it is particularly beneficial for low-resolution images or older photos that require enhancement.
Q: What should I do before using Gigapixel 7?
A: Make initial edits such as cropping and cleaning up artifacts in a photo editing software like Lightroom before upscaling in Gigapixel 7 for optimal results.
Q: Is the face recovery function in Gigapixel 7 always necessary?
A: No, the face recovery function is optional and is most beneficial when working with photos with low detail in the facial areas.