Watch a 3-Hour Photoshop Restoration Happen in 7 Minutes

Despite all of the hate and bullying that is frequently associated with online communities in the media, it’s nice to remember from time to time that the Internet is also full of kind and caring individuals who want to help others. In the case of Reddit user thehatersalad, that desire to help is coupled with impressive technical skills. Thehatersalad is one of many users on Reddit, and its companion image service Imgur, who are putting their skills to work in helping other users with old and damaged photographs perform Photoshop restorations.

These online communities are replete with examples of amazing restorations and colorizations, but a recent video from thehatersalad gives us a glimpse of the process. The three-hour restoration and colorization of a tattered photo of another user’s grandmother is condensed into a mesmerizing seven-minute time-lapse.

For those inept at the art of Photoshop, like us, the process is hypnotic and the result is incredible. User f2ISO100, the granddaughter of the photo’s subject and the person who submitted the original request, was thrilled by the final image, replying: “I don’t know what kind of emotion you hope to elicit with these, but you made me catch my breath. I feel - for the first time - like I got to see her, back in time. This is so, so beautiful. Thank you so much!”

Those interested in seeing more of these amazing transformations from thehatersalad and other artists can check out the “Colorization” section of Reddit. For those interested in a completely different, and far more humorous, kind of Photoshop “philanthropy,” be sure to visit Photoshop Troll, where the talented artist puts his skills to work for all the right reasons.