Photographer Spends 1000s of Hours Painstakingly Restoring ‘Unrestorable’ Photos And Here Are His 16 Most Impressive Works
Mario Unger is a photographer, photoshop artist and musician from Austria who is currently fascinated with bringing old and damaged photos back to glorious, colorful life.
Mario's aim with his amazing editing skills is to reduce the feeling of time - bringing history to us in a way that is immediately more recognizable and relatable. Even though some of these photos were taken over 100 years ago they feel like we are living them again - that connection with history is real and very special.
What do you think? Do you feel a closer empathy with the subjects in Mario's restored photos? Scroll down below to check them out for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!
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Unknown Woman, Ca 1880
"Texas Couple, Ca 1900, One Of The Hardest Restorations And Colorizations I Did So Far. Working Time, About 15 Hours"
Old Man, Photo By C.m.bell Ca 1890. Library Of Congress, Glass Plate Negative
Not The Easiest Restoration
Westover Landing, Virginia. Officers Of 3rd And 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry Illustrating The Hardships Of War. 1862
Mrs. Abraham Lincoln (Mary Todd), 1855
Man 1890, Name K.c.holt, Photographer C.m.bell
Young Girl's Photo Restoration
I love old photos of people in their gardens, and that you placed roses in her hands.
I always wonder things like if the house still exists, and if there’s an ancient rose bush in that exact same spot...
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Terrific job! Did you get the feet from a photo library or shoot yourself?
A fairly good save, considering what was restored to the fragmented photo. However, in the process you lost some of the interesting sunlight on her face and dress.
Oh, yeah, she looked soooo much better with the sun glaring on her nose, and shadowing her eyes in comparison. Those that can, do. Those who can't, criticize.
Load More Replies...The Photographers Daughter, C.m.bell 1870
I know this is morbid, so I apologize, but I look at old pics like this and it's fascinating to me that this child has grown, had children, lived a full life, and passed away. Yet, in this photograph, she will forever be three years old. life is weird.
Antietam, Md. President Lincoln And Gen. George B. Mcclellan In The General's Tent 3. Okt. 1863
Interested to know the story of the Confederate flag laying on the ground...
Arthur Morgan Chase, Ca 1916
Joseph Dore, Ca 1862
I like the B & W pics the best, as that is how they would have been at the time.
Vintage Photo Restoration
Her rolled down stockings on the right- It was obviously hot so 0-flecks given.
Heavily Damaged Photograph, Ca. 1960
Vintage Photo Restoration
Andrew Johnson (December 29, 1808 – July 31, 1875). The 17th President Of The United States
Sorry to say this,but why does it look like he smells something disgusting
Stunning! So much training to get these results. And I bet he gets countless emails from people asking him to do one for them for free or obscenely cheap.
As a Civil War enthusiast, I love seeing the restored pictures from then.
Yes - I just wrote a short story set in 1893, so these strike a note with me as well.
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I AM A LOVER OF ALL PHOTOGRAPHY MY DAD HAD A PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO IN BECKLEY WVA HE GAVE IT UP WHEN I WAS THREE BUT I ENJOY ALL PHOTO'S SO THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO YOUR VERY GOOD AT IT
wow--love the photos and the awesome job done with them! that has to be some very gratifying work
Some of these brought tears just thinking of the friends and relatives who got to see these people restored and as alive as they can ever be. Thank you.
I wonder why the colored version of this kind of photo restoration look so vintage. They are made to look colored version of old cameras...why not modern ones?
For me, adding colour brings the photos to life. This man does an incredible job. Kudos to him.
Stunning! So much training to get these results. And I bet he gets countless emails from people asking him to do one for them for free or obscenely cheap.
As a Civil War enthusiast, I love seeing the restored pictures from then.
Yes - I just wrote a short story set in 1893, so these strike a note with me as well.
Load More Replies... I AM A LOVER OF ALL PHOTOGRAPHY MY DAD HAD A PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO IN BECKLEY WVA HE GAVE IT UP WHEN I WAS THREE BUT I ENJOY ALL PHOTO'S SO THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO YOUR VERY GOOD AT IT
wow--love the photos and the awesome job done with them! that has to be some very gratifying work
Some of these brought tears just thinking of the friends and relatives who got to see these people restored and as alive as they can ever be. Thank you.
I wonder why the colored version of this kind of photo restoration look so vintage. They are made to look colored version of old cameras...why not modern ones?
For me, adding colour brings the photos to life. This man does an incredible job. Kudos to him.
