How to Color Old Life Photos
There are a myriad of applications that Adobe Photoshop can do,
and one of them is to convert black and white photos into
colored ones. Now it is possible to give life to previous black
and white images without much difficulty.
This is especially useful for the restoration of old family
photographs.
The usual approach practiced by artists to color photographs is
to apply a multiple layer. It is the process where a fresh
new layer is applied on top of an image, then the layered mode
is changed for multiplying, then a selected color is applied.
The disadvantage of this method is that it tends to produce
color that is uninteresting and flat.
For old black and white photographs, it is recommended to scan
them in the highest resolution that the scanner can provide in
RGB. Initial restoration tasks can be done before the actual
coloring. The photos can be adjusted in terms of contrast, and
any blemishes can be erased. This can be done in both black and
white and sepia photos.
Here are several easy-to-follow steps in coloring black and
white photographs:
1. From grayscale, change the color mode of the picture to RGB.
Also, any color image can be selected and desaturated.
2. Select a background texture. On the first layer, the mode
should be converted to color. Next, the opacity should be set
to 30. Gradually, the background's texture will start to be
visible. During this stage of the coloring process, one can
start to experiment. There are several layer modes that can be
utilized, such as Soft Light and Multiply.
3. To change the color of specific objects in the picture,
choose the boundaries in a certain area where the color is
going to be altered. Activate one of the original hidden layers.
Choose the Inverse option, and erase all but the area selected.
Afterwards, deselect the chosen object and set the layer mode
to modify. The opacity should be adjusted to 30%. Then go to
the Image option, select Adjustments, the choose Hue/Saturation,
then manipulate the layer to desired results. There might be
some adjustments to be made in the saturation to establish
compatibility of the color with the overall tone of the picture.
4. Do the same procedure with the other objects in the picture
until the right color is achieved.
Opacity levels for each layer of the image can differ.
Determine what is best for each.
In applying color to persons in photographs, one must consider
the individuality of skin-tones. In retouching certain photos,
such as wedding photographs, one can put "makeup" that will
suit the skin tone of the person in the picture. Let the eyes
be the guide for determining color.
Another helpful tip: Applying subtle sepia tones can flatter
and help maintain the aged quality of very old photographs.
Also, one must not go overboard with the background. Never let
the background detract from the main focus of the photograph.
Through Photoshop, any picture can be restored to its former
glory. Coloring photographs can breathe new life into old, long
forgotten images. With the help of Photoshop, anyone can
convert black and white photographs without any difficulty at
An eye for color will go a long way in beautifying black and
white images.