These pictures come from various sources and reflect the work in understanding how to use various tools to get colors into old photos. You can see the differences in the tools but the knowledge and time involved. While you can put in simple commands to tools like ChatGPT, the differences show up in the output from a computer vs your detailed instructions.
1937 Hollidaysburg High School YearbookDorothy Keens Ashley 1920s
The start – as you can see, the original picture below suffers from grain and sharpness (scanned image of a yearbook).
The Finish – Not perfect but better.
Jane Roederer 1937 Jeffersonville HSÂ Jeffersonville IN
I like to think of this site as a combination of art and history. Similar to the effect of the 1945 film used in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, the color brought out in old photographs gives a different perspective of the story we see. On the positive side, by using modern tools to create a portrait of the past, we can engage the audience.
Like all tools created, there is also a downside. Use of AI in these creations are subject to the data of the past which limits the historical value. Unless solid research is completed on the subject matter, the photo loses accuracy. Just the tones of green within various uniforms in the past will alter what is displayed. You can see the issues with AI in one of my works below.
1942 January 1 Celebration
In one sense, I can understand the argument against color potentially disregarding the mood, message, or meaning the photographer wanted. However, a look of the number of photographed subjects from cheap box cameras of the time with unfocused and out of frame shots makes me look past that argument.
1953 Band Camp West Virginia
Finally, the stories told in photos (whether colorized or not) show the relationships between people and their world. I’ve found that simple reviews of yearbooks show the similarities between generations at that certain age. For this alone, I think the use of color in the old pictures gives us a window into the past.
