AI colorization breathes new life into archived family photos and historical imagery. By analysing luminance, modern models predict believable skin tones, fabrics, and backgrounds. Follow this workflow to achieve respectful, polished results.
Recommended Tools
- Palette.fm: Drag-and-drop colorization with creative prompt options.
- MyHeritage InColor: Optimised for portraits and genealogy.
- Photopea: Manual adjustment layers for fine tuning after AI output.
Workflow
- Scan or photograph the original in high resolution. Fix dust and scratches using Photopea’s healing brush.
- Upload to Palette.fm or MyHeritage. Review automatic colorization; try alternative palettes or prompts.
- Download the colored version and open it in Photopea. Use Hue/Saturation and Selective Color to refine clothing or background hues.
- Add a mild noise layer (2-3%) to reintroduce film grain and help the colors blend seamlessly with vintage texture.
Historical Accuracy Tips
- Research uniform and fashion colors from the era; adjust manually if the AI guess is off.
- Keep skin tones warm but natural--avoid oversaturation.
- Document your changes so future generations know which parts were colorized.
Preserve the Original
Always store the untouched scan alongside the colorized version. Include metadata or a caption that notes the restoration date and technique.
Use uBlur for Sharing
When presenting family trees or internal history decks, use uBlur to blur personal addresses or add labels explaining who's in the photo before circulating.