Recently, I've spent time toying with online photo colorization programs to give new life to some of the black and white images in my collection.
There are a number of providers offering this service for free. Of course, the results vary. For example, let's take a look at three images that I manipulated at four different companies using their free automatic colorizing features:
First up is my great-grandmother Nevella (Benedick) Lumpkins, pictured in 1933 sitting on the roof of an old Ford.
Click on the image to enlarge for a side by side comparison across providers (in alphabetical order from left to right).
Next up was a tintype of an unknown woman. The image is partially damaged on the right, but I was curious to see how she'd turn out with a fresh coat of paint.
Again, click on the image to enlarge for a side by side comparison across providers (in alphabetical order from left to right).
Lastly, were my second great-grandparents on my Kirk line. It's another tintype dating to about 1880.
Click on the image to enlarge for a side by side comparison across providers (in alphabetical order from left to right).
I'm not going to editorialize here with my favorites. They each have strengths and weaknesses (some more than others). Regardless, it's fascinating to see how technology makes quick work of splashing color onto our ancestors and helps us see them anew.
Do you use other automatic colorizing programs with success? Which are your favorites?
