Have an old family photo that’s faded, scratched, torn, or damaged? Bring it with you! In this hands-on class, we’ll explore how photo restoration has evolved from painstaking edits in Adobe Photoshop to powerful new AI tools that can repair an image in seconds. You’ll see traditional and modern Photoshop techniques, experiment with Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT, and try restoring a photo of your own. But AI introduces a fascinating challenge: What if it “fixes” something that was never there? We’ll finish by exploring how to use AI responsibly, protect personal images, recognize AI-generated changes, and preserve the authenticity of the photographs and memories that matter to us.
Kimberly Graham is an instructional designer, educator, and creative professional with a background in photography, graphic design, and digital media. During her years as a photographer, she developed a deep appreciation for the art of preserving moments, memories, and stories through images. At Auburn University, Kimberly serves as an Instructional Designer and Educator in Organizational Development & Engagement, where she creates engaging learning experiences and explores innovative ways to integrate technology into education and creative work. Combining her experience in photography with her interest in emerging technologies, Kimberly is particularly fascinated by the possibilities of artificial intelligence in photo restoration—using modern tools to breathe new life into treasured images while preserving the stories and history they represent.