Finding Comfort in AI Photo Restoration
Beyond the Criticism A Personal AI Story
AI image tools get plenty of criticism, often for good reason. But I’ve found an unexpected use for one this year that’s been meaningful.
Healing Through Pixels Restoring Family Photos
After a difficult family time, I’ve been using Google Gemini to restore old photos. I wanted to bring back my family of origin one last time…as I now let go of dad.
The process has been incredible. I took a black and white image of my mum, and the AI recreated a full-color version. It didn’t just add colour; it recovered detail I’d forgotten was there. It has been part of a heart-wrenching process, but it’s also given me some comfort.
I’m currently writing more about this experience and what it means when we use AI for something this personal.
How to Restore Your Own Photos with AI
If you want to try it yourself, it's quite simple. Open the free Gemini app, upload an old photo, and prompt it with something like “restore this into a modern, colourful classic.” The results can vary, but it’s certainly worth experimenting with.
Join the Conversation Share Your Story
Have you used AI to reconnect with family history or old memories? I’d genuinely like to hear how it went.
