To be honest, I almost didn’t finish writing this blog post. Yesterday, I discovered an online tool to colourize my old family photos — and I have been distracted ever since.
My newest toy is a free, very easy-to-use tool that colourizes black and white photos within seconds. Produced by Algorithmia API, the tool uses a “deep learning algorithm” to make it possible for you to see what your ancestors may have looked like in colour.
Comparison of colourized and original photo.
If you have seen faded colour photos from the 1950s and 1960s, these photos will remind you of them. They also look like old postcards and photos that were touched up with water colour paint.
Although the colour may not always be accurate, the colourizing tool brings life to your old family photos and adds a new dimension to them. In a couple of photos I colourized, I noticed elements that had escaped my attention in the past.
While not perfect, the addition of colour provides a new dimension to the photo. The Montreal Shoe Machinery Company annual picnic. Employee Lucie Haire on the right. Sainte-Rose, Quebec, 1914. Photo: Private collection of Gail Dever.
Very soon after you upload a photo, you will see a comparison of the original to the colourized version. Just slide the purple vertical line back and forth to see the before and after.
Hit and miss
The results are a bit hit and miss.
I seemed to be most successful with photos of people that were taken outdoors. The tool seems to work best colouring faces, green grass, and blue skies.
The colours of clothing are not always accurate. (Remember, this is a free tool.)
Test results
I ran a couple of tests with black and white photos taken of me when I was a child. I wanted to see how the tool coloured my red hair. In colour photos taken when I was young, my hair always appears as bright red. In the colourized versions of original black and white photos, my hair was coloured red, albeit more auburn than the actual colour.
Now that the photo has some colour, perhaps someone will recognize this man in Montreal. Circa 1918. Photo: Private collection of Gail Dever.
In another test, I first converted a recent photo to black and white. Then, I colourized the photo to see if the colours remained true. While hair colour seemed somewhat accurate, the colourizing tool turned a navy shirt into a red shirt.
Still, this is a really fun tool to try. It is adictive, seeing which photos turn out best.
Start colourizing your photos here. No instructions necessary, which is a always good thing.
Read more about this new free colourizing tool and see a Wizard of Oz example in The Verge.
Not surprised this interested Gail, she loves her photographs!
Thank you for sharing this, what a great find. And it is addictive!
Apparently instructions are necessary – my photos are on my computer – I’m a little embarrassed, but where would I get a URL? I am clearly missing something …. (story of my life!)
To upload photos from your computer, click on the “Upload photo” box that is next to the URL box. When you click on this box, a box will appear that contains are your files. Choose a photo and click on “Open.” Wait a few seconds and then scroll down to see your photo. Beneath the photo, you have a choice to save the comparison image or the colourized images. Use the URL box only for uploading a photo on the internet.
Gail,
I want to let you know that your blog post is listed in today’s Fab Finds post at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2016/07/follow-friday-fab-finds-for-july-22-2016.html
Have a great weekend!
Great find! Thanks !
having problem signing it tell me Id : not what it asking for
Are you clicking on this link — http://demos.algorithmia.com/colorize-photos/ Then, click on the box, Upload Photo. A box with your personal file directories should appear from which you can choose one of your photos.
need to make account and it will not let me make a ID to use I wanted just to use my name
I am not sure where you are clicking. Do not click on Sign In. There is no need to set up an account. Look for the Upload Photo box in the middle of the screen. Click on that.