Art & Inspiration OT Kinda, Coloring old black & white photographs?

Way back when I was just a little stinker my dad was heavy into B&W photography. And in the pile of pictures that were left behind were several shots of their honeymoon that were colorized. ( I was too far down the pecking order to get any) Figure someone here on the HAMB knows how that was done. Is this a lost art or still being done by anyone. Just curious....

 

They were done by hand with brush and airbrush. Now you can easily duplicate the look with programs like photoshop.

 

Rickster does them....Had several in Rodders Journal I recall?

CLICK

 

If you have photoshop, here's the tutorial: http://www.worth1000.com/tutorial.asp?sid=161018

 

so how was it done in the old days at home without any airbrushes ? what materials were used believe me one of them hangs in my sisters house that still looks great after 60 plus years.

 

In the years BP (Before Photoshop) black and white photos were hand tinted with Marshall photo oils, normally with Q-tips, cotton balls and / or small brushes. They were fixed with lacquer based spray fixes. I did quite a few in grad school for fun. I'd scan some for you, but they are too big for my scanner and they are mostly of nudes and I wouldn't want to upset the HAMB police by posting them!

You might still be able to get the oil sets on line or in a big art supply store. Gary

 

I think they used water color paint. I've seen some that were done really nice and pretty bad.

Now the best way is to use a computer program. I use Paint Shop Pro. I spent a few minutes doing this one:

 

I did a few in high school. we used some sort of oils. That was many years ago so I do not remember much more. If you can find a book on B&W photography there might be some info on what to use.

 

Marshall's is it found instantly on line once I knew what to look for,thanks.

 

so is there a way to tell what color something was if you do not know? Or is it just your discression?

 

Nope its all up to you,just like a coloring book.

 

"Now the best way is to use a computer program."

Maybe so, but I'd compare the old school way (oils, etc.), to computerized photo colorization as music on vinyl compares to that on a CD. Or, photos shot on film, rather than digital images.

There's a certain visual quality available with the oils - and hand application, that just doesn't come across on the computerized work. And, its one thing to colorize cars and other objects, but when you move to say, portrait work, the old methods have a degree of "charm" that requires exceptional skill to approach digitally.

That's not to say there isn't a place for both methods. There's no doubt the computer work produces some spectacular results. I would say it may well be "best" from the standpoint of ease and speed - but not necessarily as an art form.

Just two-cents worth from someone who's been around long enough to be familiar with the old and new ways.