How to Restore Your Old Photos Using Gemini

We all have those precious old photos tucked away in boxes or albums. You know the ones I’m talking about – faded family portraits, cracked vacation snapshots, or yellowed pictures of grandparents from decades past.

These photos hold our most treasured memories. But time hasn’t been kind to them. Scratches run across faces we love. Colors have faded to brown and sepia tones. Some pictures are torn or have missing pieces.

I used to think these damaged photos were lost forever. Then I found something that changed everything.

Meet Google’s Nano Banana Image Model

Google recently released a new AI model called Nano Banana through their Gemini platform. This model specializes in photo editing and restoration. I’ve been testing it for weeks, and the results are incredible.

The model can repair damage, restore missing details, and even add realistic colors to black and white photos. Best of all, it’s free and easy to use.

You have two ways to access it:

• Go to gemini.google.com and start a new chat
• Visit aistudio.google.com and select “generate media,” then choose “nano banana”

Let me show you exactly how I use it to bring old photos back to life.

Restore Partially Damaged Photos

My first challenge was an old photo of a woman. It had deep scratches across my woman’s face. See the photo given below.

Here’s what I did:

1. I uploaded the damaged photo to Gemini
2. I used this specific prompt:

Restore this photograph to its original quality by repairing scratches, folds, discoloration, and missing details. Keep the people, objects, and background realistic while preserving the original style, lighting, and colors. Do not add new elements or alter the identity of the people—only repair the damaged areas.

The results blew me away. The model filled in the missing details perfectly. It removed every scratch while keeping woman’s face exactly as it should be. The fold damages vanished completely.

Why this prompt works so well:

• It tells the AI to fix specific damage types (scratches, folds, discoloration)
• It emphasizes keeping everything realistic and original
• It prevents the AI from adding random new elements
• It protects the identity and appearance of people in the photo

The key is being clear about what you want fixed while setting boundaries on what should stay the same.

Restore and Colorize Old Photos

Sometimes I want to go further than just repairs. Many of my oldest family photos are in black and white. Adding realistic colors brings them to life in a whole new way.

For this, I use a modified version of my restoration prompt:

Restore this photograph to its original quality by repairing scratches, folds, discoloration, and missing details. Then carefully colorize the image, keeping skin tones, clothing, objects, and background realistic. Preserve the original style, lighting, and atmosphere without adding new elements or changing the identity of the people.

This two-step approach works beautifully. First, the model repairs any damage. Then it adds colors that look natural and period-appropriate.

I tested the same old photo with partial damage. The restored version showed woman’s bright eyes and the soft blue of her dress. Even small details got realistic colors.

The model is smart about historical accuracy too. It doesn’t add modern colors or styles that wouldn’t fit the time period.

Tips for Better Results

After restoring dozens of photos, I’ve learned a few tricks:

• Start with the highest quality scan you can make. Even damaged photos benefit from high resolution.
• Be specific in your prompts. If you want certain colors preserved, mention them. If there’s damage in a particular area, call it out.
• Don’t expect miracles with severely damaged photos. The model works best when at least 70% of the original image is intact.
• Save your original files. Always keep the damaged photo as a backup before trying restoration.

These aren’t just photos – they’re pieces of our family history. Every restored image is a connection to people and moments that shaped who we are today.

I’ve spent weekends going through old photo albums with my parents, restoring pictures together. We’ve saved memories that were almost lost forever. My kids can now see their great-great-grandparents clearly for the first time.

The technology that makes this possible still amazes me. A few years ago, this kind of restoration would have cost hundreds of dollars per photo at a professional lab. Now anyone can do it in minutes.

Pick one damaged photo that means something to you. Scan it at high resolution if you haven’t already. Head over to Gemini and give it a try.

You might be surprised by what’s possible. That faded photo of your grandparents might have more detail than you ever imagined. Those scratched vacation pictures could look as good as the day they were taken.

Your family’s visual history doesn’t have to fade away. With tools like this, we can preserve these precious moments for future generations to see and appreciate.

Start with one photo. See what happens. I bet you’ll be hooked just like I was.