There is a new AI image spreading on the Internet, one that could bring new life to the dusty shoe boxes and family albums. Chatgpt users have discovered that the AI assistant can take old photos and mimic a restored, colored version.
I first saw it discussed on a Reddit wire, one that was originally skeptical of Chatgpt’s restoration ability for good reason.
AI was far more likely to take an old main image and ‘restore’ it by making a main image of someone who may be the cousin of the person in the original photo. Thanks to tips that others shared on Reddit and Instagram on how to make it work properly, I cobbled up a prompt that does a pretty good job for it.
The prompt i settled is: “Upsal and are colored this photo while it holds it true to the time period. Do not change the event, expression, background or dressing; add only period-kind color and details. The new photo should overlay the original exactly.”
It doesn’t actually restore the picture, but you might think of it as a recreation of an art forager with a modernist strip. The results are in color, with better resolution, any damage that has been repaired, and even some lost details reintroduced.
Again, it is important to remember that this is not the same as improving the actual photo, but it is funny and certainly feels less problematic than ironing Studio Ghiblis style.
To test the trend, I drew some photos from public domains from the Library of Congress, which is really a great resource. Check out some of the results below.
Restoration of rough rider
First up is President Theodore Roosevelt. The picture catches Teddy in the middle of a writing at his desk. The desk has a large plaque and, a much of the time, liquor ducks with glasses. After Chatgpt performs his work, you can see some fine details and colors.
Now not all of these details are right. Hand positions, chair arm form, a radio replaced with what looks like a big candle and more. However, it managed to catch a lot of the man himself pretty well.
Bike for the future
Next came the bicycle delivery boy. Again, the person looked incredibly like the original. The original photo was already lively, with puddles on a street that is clearly dirty. The colored version decided that it meant the street had a nice wooden floor for some reason.
Still, the sign of the building pops behind the cyclist along with the crowd in the background really really. It even managed to get the reflection of the bike on the ground.
Soda Jerk
To move on in time is this soda. A happy colleague who smiles as I hand over what I can only assume is an egg cream or a root beer flowing with flair from a Broadway actor playing “Guy Who Loves Seltzer.”
Chatgpt delivered a restored version that spiked his face and expression, not to mention the loop. Of course, the hair is a bit away and I’m not sure how tasty the modern drink looks, but it seems he enjoys his job in the black void behind the counter.
Iterate, Iterate, Iterate
Then the two policemen came in their long coats and high hats. I assume that the serious barts were part of the uniform. The colored version brought their uniforms to life with deep navy blue tones and brass buttons that are practically shining.
The officers are slightly taller than their black and white colleagues with something better tailoring, but it is a photo that belongs in the same law enforcement portraits.
Mr. Mustache
When we talk about barts, it’s the right star on the last photo. You hardly even notice the Lord behind it. It’s not just facial hair, it’s architecture. The recovered version very easily cleaned up the stray hair, but otherwise this was the most impressive result.
The face, mowing, coat and even the crisis in the shirt is there. Each brush is crispy and wherever he is on his way, I would very much like to see the rest of the barbershop quartet.
