Google’s Gemini AI assistant can now create hyperrealistic photos and images from simple text prompts, thanks to the integration of a new technology called Nano Banana. But the capabilities extend far beyond simple image generation, offering powerful tools for photo editing and restoration.
Unlike other generative AI image models, Nano Banana 2 is capable of working with existing images, allowing users to add elements, change backgrounds, or modify styles. Early AI image generators could create images from scratch, but attempts to edit those generated images often produced unpredictable results. Now, models like Nano Banana maintain the original image data, modifying only the specified elements – a significant advantage for photo editing and retouching tasks.
The technology represents a significant step forward in accessible image manipulation, potentially democratizing advanced photo editing capabilities. Gemini, powered by Nano Banana, can also restore old or damaged photos. Users can remove blemishes, scratches, and imperfections, as well as colorize black and white or sepia-toned images. Even blurry photos can be sharpened, with adjustments made to brightness, saturation, and resolution, effectively transforming old photos into high-quality images while preserving their original character.
Restoring Old Photos with Nano Banana 2
To use Nano Banana within Gemini, open the Gemini app or access its web version. Once there, select “Tools” and then “Create image.” For professional-level retouching results, switch the option from Fast to Thinking model. While this will grab more time, it will deliver superior results. Upload the image you want to edit by clicking the “Add files” button (the plus symbol). The final step is to write a detailed prompt, instructing Gemini on how to modify the image.
Key elements of the prompt should include:
- Main objective: Professionally restore an old photo.
- Desired outcome: For example, a high-resolution or 4K image.
- Requirements: The resulting image should be a copy of the original.
- Tasks to achieve the objective: Remove imperfections (scratches, stains, dust, tears…), apply color, apply a filter, correct lighting and contrast, adjust exposure, focus the image, increase resolution, eliminate pixels, enhance textures, clarify facial features, and maintain a realistic appearance.
The prompt can be as detailed as needed. The more precise the instructions, the better the results, and the less likely Gemini will make unwanted changes. Remember that the process is iterative; if the first attempt isn’t perfect, rewrite the prompt and resubmit it, or ask Gemini to modify only the unsatisfactory aspects of the already retouched image.
Restoring and Repairing Old and Damaged Photos
For example, to restore an old, black and white photo damaged by time, here’s a detailed prompt: “Restore the old photo by removing scratches, moisture stains, and cracks. Correct the contrast to make details sharper without losing the original paper texture. Maintain the sepia (or black and white) tone and the soft focus of the lens. The goal is for the photo to look as if it were taken yesterday, but with the charm of an old photo.”
Colorizing Your Old Black and White Photos
Here are two examples of prompts for colorizing old photos with Nano Banana 2 from Gemini. If you have a black and white or sepia-toned photograph, here’s a prompt: “Transform this old black and white photograph into a high-resolution, photorealistic color image. The colors should be natural and accurate for the era of the photo, such as warm skin tones, rich textures in fabrics, and vibrant colors in objects. Increase the resolution for sharp clarity, eliminating any grain or imperfections from the original image. Ensure that subtle details, such as the folds in clothing and skin textures, are clearly visible.”
Another example: “Transform this old black and white photograph of an urban landscape into a high-resolution, photorealistic color image. The colors should be accurate for the period, such as the brick tones of buildings, the worn cobblestones, and the colors of pedestrians’ clothing. Increase the resolution for sharp clarity, eliminating any grain, scratches, or imperfections from the original image. Ensure that architectural details, such as shop signs, window frames, and streetlights, are clearly visible. Infuse the scene with natural and realistic light that captures the atmosphere of the moment.”
Scale, Enhance, and Focus Blurry Photos
Another common task when restoring old photos involves the resolution of the original image. Here’s especially relevant for images taken from newspaper clippings or printed in small formats like wallet-sized photos, which are significantly smaller than the resolutions of modern screens and printers. While it’s always best to preserve negatives for higher-quality versions, that’s not always possible with older photos.
In digital retouching, reducing image resolution is straightforward. Although, increasing or scaling the size is more complex, as it requires filling in missing pixels. Fortunately, Nano Banana 2 can handle this, filling in the gaps to produce a professional-looking result. Here are two prompt examples for scaling, enhancing, or focusing blurry or small photos with Gemini:
“Scale this small image to a 4K high-resolution format. Enhance and focus the original image without overprocessing. Reconstruct natural textures based on the content: sharp pores in skin, sharp details in tree leaves, or clear stone texture in buildings. Maintain the original lighting, but make it more defined.”
“Take this blurry photograph and apply a deep focus to all planes. Increase the resolution by eliminating compression artifacts and pixelation. Clearly define the edges of objects and improve contrast for a sense of crystal clarity. The result should be a sharp and clean image.”
