Project Introduction
Sometimes design isn’t about creating something new — it’s about saving something old. In this extra credit challenge, you’ll use Adobe Photoshop CC to digitally restore a severely damaged photograph. The image provided has scratches, folds, and wear that make it nearly unrecognizable, and your job is to bring it back to life while keeping it authentic.
Photo restoration is a real-world skill used by professional photographers, archivists, and designers who work with historical material. It takes patience, attention to detail, and a strong understanding of Photoshop’s repair tools. You’ll be removing blemishes, reconstructing missing areas, correcting tonal balance, and carefully blending repairs so the final result looks natural.
This isn’t about making the photo look “modern” — it’s about respecting the original while removing distractions. By the end, you’ll not only have an impressive piece for your portfolio, but you’ll also have experienced the kind of technical, detail-driven work that pays off in both freelance gigs and industry settings.
Creative & Technical Focus
The real creative test here is subtlety. A great restoration doesn’t scream “Photoshopped” — it feels seamless, like the damage was never there. That means balancing cloning and healing tools with restraint, adjusting levels to bring out details without flattening tones, and sharpening just enough to enhance clarity.
Think of it like digital surgery: precise, careful, and controlled. Your design instincts will tell you when you’ve done enough and when you’ve gone too far. Clients, families, and even museums rely on this type of skill to preserve their history — now it’s your turn to practice it.
Project Requirements
- Final Deliverable:
- Restored version of the provided damaged photo.
- Export in both JPG (for portfolio display) and PSD (with all layers preserved). Provide a DOWLOAD button on your Portfolio that will download the full file from your Google Drive.
- Process Requirements:
- Use Photoshop CC only.
- Employ non-destructive editing where possible (layers, masks, adjustment layers).
- Use healing brush, clone stamp, patch, content-aware, and other repair tools.
- Adjust levels, contrast, and sharpness to improve clarity.
- WordPress Portfolio Requirements:
- Embed the restored image in your portfolio post (JPG) with a Before & After Image Compare Block in WordPress.
- Include at least 1 Project Type.
- Add 5–10 Tags (examples: photo restoration, Photoshop CC, repair, digital media, damaged photo, retouching, portfolio project).
- Create a unique Featured Image blending the Before & After images in a creative way.
- Write a project explanation (250–350 words) that covers:
- Which Photoshop tools you used most.
- How you balanced authenticity with repair.
- What challenges you faced in restoring the image.
Project Grading Rubric
| Criteria | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress Portfolio Post | Intro, unique title, tags, featured image, clean layout. Both original and restored versions embedded for comparison | +5% |
| Restoration Accuracy | Damage removed while maintaining authenticity of the original photo | +5% |
| Photoshop Technique | Effective use of repair tools (healing, cloning, masking, etc.) | +5% |
| Image Quality | Final export is clean, balanced, and visually polished | +5% |
| Effort & Execution | Shows patience, detail, and effort beyond a quick repair | +5% |
| Total (possible) | 25% Extra Credit |
OCP & Standard Alignments
01.02 – Demonstrate knowledge of basic computer functions and terminology. …because Photoshop’s file management and layer system are essential to this task.
01.06 – Use appropriate communication skills to interact effectively with others. …because documenting and explaining your restoration process is part of professional workflow.
02.01 – Apply knowledge of design elements and principles. …because balance, contrast, and tone all factor into restoration decisions.
04.07 – Demonstrate knowledge of photo editing software. …because mastery of Photoshop’s repair and adjustment tools is the backbone of this assignment.
04.03 – Create a digital portfolio to showcase multimedia projects. …because your restored photo and explanation will be displayed on WordPress.
05.01 – Demonstrate proficiency in advanced design. …because high-level retouching requires precision and intentionality.
Digital Media & Multimedia Design 