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I Restore Vintage Photographs By Adding Colors To Them, Here’s The Result (16 Pics)
I am a professional photographer and retoucher. I love to colorize old vintage photos and restore them. Let me know if you have any rare photos you want to restore and colorize!
I am passionate about what I do! Whether you want a beautiful portrait of your children, family, pet, an event or wedding photographer, a high school senior portrait photographer, or just a great business headshot, you can contact me. More information can be found in the links below.
More info: Facebook | Instagram | nedimphotography.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
A Dapper Group On Their Way To Church, Chicago 1940
Final score:
164points
I was born and raised in Bosnia, and my love for art, especially photography, led me to start my journey in Germany in 1998, where I lived for a decade. I am passionate about bringing old photos to life, as it's intriguing to see how they looked at that time in color.
To restore all the photos, I use Photoshop, which is quite time-consuming. Sometimes, I conduct research on the era of life, colors, etc., while other times I create a few different color versions and keep the one that feels best.
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#2
Country Store On A Dirt Road, July 1939, Gordonton, North Carolina
Photograph by Dorothea Lange.
Final score:
129points
LagoonaBlueColleen 2 years ago
I like this. Sometimes a busy B&W photo can be overwhelming to look at.
#3
Family Going On A Trip, Late 1940's
Final score:
107points
In my line of work, passion, and skill are essential. At times, it can be challenging to restore a beloved photo that is badly damaged, but I always try my best, and if necessary, I get creative and recreate the missing parts to make it look seamless.
I would advise anyone pursuing photography to always take their time. A photo speaks volumes about the photographer and the subject, so it's essential to put in the necessary effort. It's also crucial not to let negative criticism discourage you, as it can make you stronger and better.
#4
Centerville, California. This Youngster Is Awaiting An Evacuation Bus. Evacuees Of Japanese Ancestry Will Be Housed In War Relocation Authority Centers For The Duration
Final score:
96points
#5
Young Mill Workers In Massachusetts, 1911. Back When There Were No Big Labor Regulations
The Black and white photo was poor quality but I did the best I could.
Final score:
93points
Through my work, I not only honor the past but also preserve it for future generations. By breathing new life into old photographs, I create a connection between the past and the present and remind us of the beauty that exists in both. My art serves as a testament to the power of photography and the importance of preserving history.
#6
Hayward, California. Members Of The Mochida Family Awaiting The Evacuation Bus. Identification Tags Are Used To Aid In Keeping The Family Unit Intact During All Phases Of Evacuation
Final score:
88points
#7
Spacelander Was The Bicycle Of The Future, 1946-1960
Final score:
84points
#8
Vintage Bathing Suits, Funny Boys Flexing Muscles On The Beach. Swimsuit Print, 1950's Vintage Photo
Final score:
82points
#9
Vikki Dougan Turns A Few Heads In 1957
Final score:
79points
#10
The Cigarette Industry Began A Strong Marketing Campaign Geared Toward Women Beginning In The 1920s In The United States
Final score:
78points
#11
Vintage Photography Print. Army Soldier Cutting Hair
Final score:
72points
#12
Scott Fitzerald And Wife Zelda At Dellwood
Final score:
64points
#13
Chevrolet - Broken Wheel In Dc 1923
Final score:
62points
#14
Golfer Standing On The Car. 1920's
Final score:
60points
#15
Couple With The Buick, California, 1930
Final score:
52points
Sharyn Hay 2 years ago
I am overwhelmed by the shades of blue.All of the colors are oversaturated. Clothes of the 40s and 50s were not so flamboyant. I remember couples wearing more conservative beige and light brown. The early 50s were a time of pastels and geometric shapes after the big shoulders of the 40s.
Nedim Photography (Submission author) 2 years ago
Sorry I didn't live in your Era lol (how you remember) but sometimes it's good to bring life into old photos even if the colors aren't matching as you say so. I don't see a big issue on this colorized photo but thank you for the comment. Love critics, makes me better for the next one.
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y~ 2 years ago
I'm sorry but you are way over-using the colours, choosing extremely unlikely colours and saturation for the respective eras, and giving the photos an artificial look. Dial it back. Don't be so heavy-handed. And try to understand how very infrequently we all know that people from the past wore bright pinks, bright yellows, saturated blues, especially woollens and coats.
marie-france Nizet 2 years ago
I agree with that comment, the shades of blue are oversaturated. People did wear more subtle colors, cars colors were also in more neutral tones.
Cerridwn d'Wyse 1 year ago
I agree there's a lot of blue. On the one for example with the Coca-Cola posters. You have something to start what something looks like
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Carolyn Hawkins 2 years ago
I like the strong colors. They’re not necessarily historically accurate, but they’re harmonious and surprising, some people back in that place and time were probably surprised to see that car way out in that neck of the woods.
sharron lynn parsons 2 years ago
Back in the day, women wore hats, I would love to see, women in hats again, men too for that matter !!!
Nedim Photography (Submission author) 2 years ago
Hi, What's new on here? Colors?
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cryssH 1 year ago (edited)
FYI - my folks were born in 1912 & 1915 and grew up during the depression. Photos were black and white but the clothing had lots of colors. Pastels were in the 50's but this picture is from the 1930's. My Mom's nursing cape was gray with a red lining. My Dad had a really neat brown tweed double breasted suit that he wore brown argyles with. We think that the 1900's to 1950's were blah because of the B&W photos but pictures like Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz prove otherwise. One of the best color films from that time is Robin Hood with Errol Flynn. I think you did just fine with the colors.
#16
Sam Snead Plays A Practice Round Barefoot. Snead Was Known For Incredible Athleticism, A Silky Swing, And Homespun Wisdom
Final score:
51points
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What do you think ?
Nupraptor 2 years ago
OP wildly overestimates their own talent. "Mastered" is hardly the word I would choose. The skin tones are flat and unnatural for most of the subjects and the colors wildly oversaturated. Several of them look like they forgot to colorize parts of the photo, creating a jarring effect. Stick with it OP, you have promise. But don't let it be clouded by hubris.
C Renee Griffin-Sanchez 2 years ago
I appreciate the effort. But absolutely agree. I would be highly disappointed if I commissioned worked and received an image that looked like any one of the above.
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sharron lynn parsons 2 years ago
Very interesting, but the colors were overdone, perhaps there is a reason !!!
John Baker 2 years ago
Be it still photos or movies, I'm not a fan of colorization. It's a piece of history. Leave it alone.
Maiun 2 years ago
Totally agree, don't get why you're being down voted. I probably will be too. History needs respect not people guessing what it looked like in colour.
Load More Replies... Ciera Fedock 2 years ago
As someone who actually has "mastered" the art of digital restoration with formal training and 15 years of professional exp, you should really stay in your lane lol. Try a bit harder to understand detail colors and era specific trends before saying "master"
Luna78 2 years ago
I like these. I think the vivid colors give the photos a dream-like quality.
sharron lynn parsons 2 years ago
That is a good way, to describe the finish product !!!
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Dorothy Parker 2 years ago
I usually prefer black and white because colors can be so distracting. B & W film could provide a different depth of tones. These were interesting, but didn't feel accurate.
Carolyn Hawkins 2 years ago
I like them. They’re not like the originals, they’re their own thing. Kids going to church wearing colors like spring flowers. It invites a new look at an old item, it doesn’t replace the old, but is an interesting cover of an older song, so to speak.
silentnomad 2 years ago
To add to the comments on the colours, especially the blues being a bit oversaturated, the sky replacement in some of the images seem somewhat awkward. Good effort though.
Nice Beast Ludo 1 year ago
I like them and think if you want to be supportive of other people's art you should say something positive as well. It's fine to criticize constructively but every one on here sounds like a bunch of snobby a-holes
The Redhead 2 years ago
Your work is astounding. I have a question how do you know what the actual colors are from black and whote photos?
voice of reason 2 years ago
You don't know the colors, hence the very modern colors on the colorized pics.
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Ginger Grumpybunny 1 year ago
Lousy title. I'm not sure if the author or a rogue editor is responsible: if the latter, I hope the author is suitably disgruntled, since photo restoration and colourising black and white photos are two very different things, which can of course both be applied to the same photos, but "Restore Vintage Photographs By Adding Colors To Them" is nonsense!
Old Roadie 1 year ago
Hey, @Nedim: I like your work and the way it brings the subjects to life. Hope you continue to refine your skills. I'd like to see more.
Nice Beast Ludo 1 year ago
They won't. They just downvote you for defending yourself but notice it's the same few all the way through. You can pretty much match the downvotes to the critics . Don't give up these are great
Load More Replies...
Nupraptor 2 years ago
OP wildly overestimates their own talent. "Mastered" is hardly the word I would choose. The skin tones are flat and unnatural for most of the subjects and the colors wildly oversaturated. Several of them look like they forgot to colorize parts of the photo, creating a jarring effect. Stick with it OP, you have promise. But don't let it be clouded by hubris.
C Renee Griffin-Sanchez 2 years ago
I appreciate the effort. But absolutely agree. I would be highly disappointed if I commissioned worked and received an image that looked like any one of the above.
Load More Replies... sharron lynn parsons 2 years ago
Very interesting, but the colors were overdone, perhaps there is a reason !!!
John Baker 2 years ago
Be it still photos or movies, I'm not a fan of colorization. It's a piece of history. Leave it alone.
Maiun 2 years ago
Totally agree, don't get why you're being down voted. I probably will be too. History needs respect not people guessing what it looked like in colour.
Load More Replies... Ciera Fedock 2 years ago
As someone who actually has "mastered" the art of digital restoration with formal training and 15 years of professional exp, you should really stay in your lane lol. Try a bit harder to understand detail colors and era specific trends before saying "master"
Luna78 2 years ago
I like these. I think the vivid colors give the photos a dream-like quality.
sharron lynn parsons 2 years ago
That is a good way, to describe the finish product !!!
Load More Replies... Dorothy Parker 2 years ago
I usually prefer black and white because colors can be so distracting. B & W film could provide a different depth of tones. These were interesting, but didn't feel accurate.
Carolyn Hawkins 2 years ago
I like them. They’re not like the originals, they’re their own thing. Kids going to church wearing colors like spring flowers. It invites a new look at an old item, it doesn’t replace the old, but is an interesting cover of an older song, so to speak.
silentnomad 2 years ago
To add to the comments on the colours, especially the blues being a bit oversaturated, the sky replacement in some of the images seem somewhat awkward. Good effort though.
Nice Beast Ludo 1 year ago
I like them and think if you want to be supportive of other people's art you should say something positive as well. It's fine to criticize constructively but every one on here sounds like a bunch of snobby a-holes
The Redhead 2 years ago
Your work is astounding. I have a question how do you know what the actual colors are from black and whote photos?
voice of reason 2 years ago
You don't know the colors, hence the very modern colors on the colorized pics.
Load More Replies... Ginger Grumpybunny 1 year ago
Lousy title. I'm not sure if the author or a rogue editor is responsible: if the latter, I hope the author is suitably disgruntled, since photo restoration and colourising black and white photos are two very different things, which can of course both be applied to the same photos, but "Restore Vintage Photographs By Adding Colors To Them" is nonsense!
Old Roadie 1 year ago
Hey, @Nedim: I like your work and the way it brings the subjects to life. Hope you continue to refine your skills. I'd like to see more.
Nice Beast Ludo 1 year ago
They won't. They just downvote you for defending yourself but notice it's the same few all the way through. You can pretty much match the downvotes to the critics . Don't give up these are great
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