Question:

Photo-shop help , for working with black and white images

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I have a black and white street scene of people and buildings which no longer exist, my question is, is it possible to use some kind of measurement on the shades of grey to calculate the original colours and render the areas accordingly?? Thanks

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  1. Assigning colours to various densities of gray is a long an tedious process.  Just ask the team that "colourized" all the old black and white movies for the Turner group.

    It is called either "false colour" or density slicing, depending upon the process.

    My guess is you still have the photograph, but the people and buildings are long gone, is that right?

    Many of the old retouch artists used to colourize black and white portraits in the 1950's with success ... you may find one of them kicking around still ... that is if they still have a steady hand.


  2. Wow!  What an interesting idea.  That would be a very creative process.

    But, no ... sorry.  I don't think there's any way to do that.

    I'm anxious to see what other answers you get, and if anyone knows a way.

    Good luck!

  3. Can only agree with answers above.  I would suggest you have two options, both of which will need an element of your imagination.  Firstly try and find a colour picture or painting of a similar scene in a similar period of time.  Also you can try and speak to knowledgable people of that place and period.  

    I really think your brain is going to be the better calculator of colouring than any technical procedures.  Whilst you are obviously aiming at authenticity who is there to argue with your interpretation?  Good luck.  

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