"Converting" black and white photos to colour

[handrawn]

luv it

[ernie-f]

Untill today there is no knowing way to automize a black & white colorization.
The only way do a good job to colorize a black & white photo is to understand the world in the time the photo is taken. The colors for i.e. gras, sky, trees a.s.o. are known.
The magic is to use the tools are given to achieve a realistic look.

I made a restauration for a client with the wish how could it look in color at this time. I don't do it in Xara but in Photoshop.

Here is a comparism. Original – my work – colorize-it.com

[Boy]

You didn't only colorize that old photograph, you also restored it and removed all blemishes. You did a great job but I imagine that colorizing an undamaged photograph would have given you an even better result.

[ernie-f]

I imagine that colorizing an undamaged photograph would have given you an even better result.

Yes you're right. A good photo give us a better result and less work on it.

[Boy]

Here's a picture I colored in by hand. The original was quite small, so it has a lot of grain. A bigger original would give a smoother result.

[ernie-f]

Yeah, thats what I meant. Got a feeling about how could it have looked like back then. It must be clear, that the process to colorize have given limits not only by the gardients in the black & white photo.
Well done. Good job.

[Fred C]

Well done, Ernie!

[ernie-f]

Well done, Ernie!

Thank You Fred.

Here is an other Sample where I colorize a B&W photo and put it into an existing color photo for a book cover.

[Boy]

It's fun to do this work, isn't it?

[ernie-f]

It's fun to do this work, isn't it?

Hi Boy,
yes it is.
But for me is it work too and often verry stressfull!