The video below gives a great insight into the colourisation process, taking away the impression that photos were captured in another time.
“Photo colourisation isn’t just colouring within the lines — it requires meticulous research to make sure that every detail is historically accurate. The colour of military uniforms, signs, vehicles, and world fashion spanning decades needs to be accounted for before even opening digital software like Photoshop. That means digging through sources like diaries, Government records, old advertisements, and even consulting historical experts to get the colours right.”
Three French boys looking at a knocked-out German panther tank, Normandy, 1944.
Coloured by Marina Amaral.
Tower Bridge construction, London, 1889.
Colorised by Dynamic Chrome.
David Attenborough, c1950-51.
Coloured by Mads Madsen.
Plenty more on Reddit’s Colorized History.
One of the commentators on this Photoshop tutorial (below) talked of adding colour to a photo of his great grandfather, to give it to his grandmother. Brilliant gift idea.
Vox video (top) via Paul Wilsdon.
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