About A.B. Cannon
Adam "A.B." Cannon has spent over a decade refining the art of historical photo restoration. As founder of A.B. Cannon Restoration, he specializes in bringing unprecedented authenticity to historical imagery through a meticulous combination of manual restoration and precise colorization techniques.
His process emphasizes absolute fidelity to historical detail—from period-accurate dyes to atmospheric conditions of the era. This technical precision, paired with extensive historical research, has established him as a trusted partner for world-class museums and national institutions seeking to preserve and enhance their archival collections.
"We entrust our most meaningful moments to photographs. For over a decade, I've dedicated myself to adding powerful immediacy to our captured moments through restored clarity and color. My passion is renewing these fragments of time—personal and historic, allowing viewers to connect with our collective past in ways previously impossible. Whether you're exploring these images or considering entrusting me with your own, I invite you to pause and immerse yourself back in time."
"Incredible"
-Buzzfeed
Revitalization Process
Repair & RestorE
Damage from time is carefully removed while preserving every authentic detail. Each image is meticulously repaired by hand, respecting the original process and historical integrity of the image.
Enhance
Original clarity is revealed through precise technical adjustments, recovering detail already present in the original images. No artificial sharpening or fabricated details—only what the camera captured.
ColorizE
Period-accurate colors are researched and applied with historical precision. Every hue, from military uniforms to environmental conditions, is verified through extensive documentation and expert consultation.
A Commitment to Fidelity
Empathy & Truth
Every photograph captures a moment in time—whether intimate family memory or pivotal historical figure. My work preserves these authentic moments exactly as they were, removing only time's damage while keeping every meaningful detail intact.
AUTHENTICITY
Each image demands understanding of its precise moment in history—from available dyes to cultural context, I maintain relationships with experts to guide each interpretation. No AI shortcuts, no artificial embellishments.
Manual Precision
Meticulously restored by hand, pixel by pixel. Each image receives focused, individualized attention through careful restoration techniques enhanced by modern precision tools.
About Restoration
Photo Origins
Historical photographs come in many forms—from weathered family portraits to pristine institutional archives. Private collectors, museums, and families entrust with their irreplaceable memories, each receiving the same exacting standards of restoration.
Most restorations begin with high-resolution digital captures, ensuring original artifacts remain protected and undisturbed. This approach allows for microscopic precision while safeguarding physical originals. Secure digital workflows enable institutions and collectors to preserve their most sensitive materials without risk.
The Art of Restoration
Each restoration begins with the highest quality scan possible, preserving every detail of the original photograph. Using specialized software precisely calibrated for restoration, damage is meticulously removed layer by layer. Hidden details emerge through careful enhancement, revealing clarity that has been obscured by time.
Adding Color
Colorization is an intensive process that can span up to 100 hours for a single image. Faces demand particular attention, often requiring hundreds of distinct layers and thousands of individual colors to achieve lifelike results. Every detail, down to individual pores and subtle skin tones, is deliberately considered. This methodical approach ensures each photograph is restored with absolute fidelity to its original moment in time.
