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Best Tools to Color your Old Black & White Photos

Posted in Technology   LAST UPDATED: MARCH 1, 2024

    While black-and-white images of old have a certain nostalgic charm, wouldn't it be incredible to see them come alive with the hues and tones of their era? Thanks to the advancement of technology, we now have access to programs that automatically colorize old photos, allowing us to experience history in a whole new light.

    One of the great advantages of automatic colorization programs is their user-friendly interfaces, making them accessible to both professionals and enthusiasts alike. With just a few clicks, users can upload their black-and-white photos and watch as the program effortlessly adds color to the image. Some programs even offer advanced manual customization options, allowing users to fine-tune the colorization process according to their preferences.

    color old photos

    In this article, we'll present four trusty tools that can add color to your old photographs and take a look at their upsides and downsides. Whether you opt for desktop software, mobile apps, or online editing tools, you are likely to discover fitting options to effortlessly enhance your black-and-white images in seconds.

    PhotoGlory

    photoglory

    PhotoGlory is a photo restoration and editing software that can colorize black and white photos automatically, with a single click of one button. This program offers a user-friendly experience, allowing you to effortlessly add colors to your old photographs either automatically or through precise manual adjustments, resulting in accurate and realistic outcomes. In addition to colorization, PhotoGlory offers a range of retouching tools, effects, and filters.

    Pros:

    • Effective photo restoration: PhotoGlory is capable of effectively restoring old and damaged photos. It has been praised for its ability to handle severely damaged images, saving users time and effort compared to manual restoration methods.

    • User-friendly interface: PhotoGlory offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible to users of all skill levels.

    • Customization options: The software allows users to fine-tune the colorization and restoration process according to their preferences. This feature enables more personalized and accurate results.

    • Effects library: A collection of over 100 effects and filters will help easily enhance an image and give a more modern look in addition to restoration and colorization.

    • Semi-automatic workflow: PhotoGlory combines the convenience of processing on full auto with the ability for users to have control over the final result. This strikes a balance between efficiency and creative input.

    Cons:

    • Might require a few attempts: Some users have reported that the colorization process may not always produce the desired results, requiring additional manual adjustments or running the colorization tool again.

    Overall, PhotoGlory boasts effectiveness in restoring old photos and its user-friendly interface. It offers customization options and a semi-automatic workflow, making it a valuable tool for both professionals and enthusiasts.

    Colourise.com

    colourise app

    Colourise.com is a cloud-based AI colorization service that uses deep learning algorithms to automatically add color to black and white photos with just one click. The software has been praised for its ability to deliver impressive results, effectively bringing old photos to life by adding vibrant and accurate colors.

    Pros:

    • Great results: Users have reported that the software effectively adds color to black-and-white images, bringing them to life.

    • Quick processing: The software utilizes AI technology, allowing for fast processing times.

    • Convenient UI design: The software offers an intuitive workflow, making it accessible to users of all skill levels.

    • Accessibility: Process images from any device with a stable internet connection.

    Cons:

    • File size limitations: You can only upload photographs limited by 1200x1200 resolution and 5 MB file size. To work with larger images, it is better to look for another option.

    • Required stable connection: You have to ensure that you have a stable internet in order not to upload and download files at a good speed and avoid losing any progress due to connection errors.

    All in all, Colourise.com is a one-trick pony, but it is completely free and excels at what it does. In case you need to colorize a moderately sized image and require no further editing, there’s no need to look any further.

    Palette.fm

    palette FM

    Palette.fm is an AI-powered colorization tool that allows users to easily auto-colorize black and white photos. The tool has received positive reviews for its impressive colorization results and user-friendly interface. Users appreciate the convenience and speed at which Palette.fm colorizes their photos, with the AI algorithms accurately determining the best colors for an image.

    Pros:

    • Impressive colorization results: The AI algorithms used by the tool accurately determine the best colors for an image, resulting in vibrant and dynamic colorizations.

    • User-friendly interface: The tool offers a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. Uploading an image and applying colorization is a straightforward process, allowing users to quickly see the results.

    • Customization options: Palette.fm provides users with a range of filters and color palettes to choose from, allowing for customization and the ability to achieve the desired look for their photos.

    • Additional features: The tool offers features such as bulk color application, video colorization, and API integration, providing users with flexibility and expanded capabilities.

    Cons:

    • Limited free version: The free version allows coloring photos with a resolution of only 500x500, adds a watermark, and has other restrictions. Accessing the platform’s full potential requires a paid subscription.

    • Required stable connection: It is essential to have a reliable internet connection to ensure smooth file upload and download speeds, which is an inherent flaw of any online service.

    Overall, Palette.fm offers the ability to effortlessly bring black and white photos to life with vibrant and realistic colors, as long as you are willing to deal with limitations.

    Colorize Images

    colorize images app

    The app, Colorize Images, available on the Google Play Store, offers users the ability to automatically colorize black and white photos or night images. It claims to have a global reach with multilingual support, allowing users to rediscover the colors of the past regardless of their language.

    Pros:

    • Flexible Pricing: The app offers free colorizations with ads or subscription plans, providing users with options based on their preferences and budget.

    • Privacy Features: Photos uploaded to the app are stored for only 24 hours, and there is a 'Quick Removal' feature that allows users to instantly remove their photos. This emphasizes user privacy and control over their data.

    • Feedback and Support: The app provides a 'Report Bug' feature and offers direct support for users who encounter issues or have suggestions. This shows a commitment to improving the app and addressing user concerns.

    Cons:

    • Annoying ads: Like any "free" application, this one forces you to deal with advertisements, unless you are willing to pay.

    Mobile apps are a great tool to use on the go. And since modern phones rapidly improve their hardware, the software also grows in efficiency. So, Colorize Images and other apps are an option to consider both for pros and amateurs.

    Conclusion

    Automatic colorization programs have revolutionized the way we transform black-and-white images. These programs utilize sophisticated algorithms and machine learning techniques to analyze the grayscale tones and apply accurate colors to different elements of the photo.

    By effortlessly adding color to black-and-white images, these programs have opened up a world of possibilities for preserving and sharing our cultural heritage. Whether it's reviving personal memories or enriching our understanding of the past, the magic of automatic colorization programs continues to captivate and inspire us to explore history in a whole new way.

    Author: Danis Kole is a photo editor and writer with years of experience in the industry. He is excited to share knowledge and insights with readers and hopes to inspire others to elevate their photo editing skills.

    Author:
    I like writing content about C/C++, DBMS, Java, Docker, general How-tos, Linux, PHP, Java, Go lang, Cloud, and Web development. I have 10 years of diverse experience in software development. Founder @ Studytonight
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