Colorize Black and White Photos

How it works

1. 1

   Upload your photo

   Drop your black and white photo into EditThisPic. JPG, PNG, and WebP up to 7MB work well. If you're working with a scanned print or an old photograph from a family album, higher resolution scans help the AI see details like faces, fabric textures, and background elements more clearly.

   Expect: Simple portraits: 20-30 seconds. Complex scenes with multiple people or detailed backgrounds: may need 2-3 attempts over 1-2 minutes.
2. 2

   Describe the colors you want

   Type your instruction: 'add natural realistic colors to this family photo' or include details you remember: 'blue eyes on grandma, brown wooden furniture, warm sunlight through the window.' The AI understands what grass, sky, skin, and fabric should look like. No marking or selection needed.

   Tip: If you have any memories about specific colors - 'Mom always said grandpa's uniform was olive green' - include them. These details help the AI honor what you know about your family.

   Copy one of these to get started:

   Treasured family portrait add natural realistic colors to this family photo, warm lifelike skin tones, era-appropriate clothing colors, gentle background tones

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   Vintage portrait with known details colorize this photo with blue eyes, brown hair, and a green dress, natural warm skin tones, soft background

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   Old wedding photo add elegant colors to this wedding photo, ivory wedding dress with subtle warmth, dark formal suit, soft natural makeup tones, gentle background

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   Historical military portrait colorize with historically accurate colors, olive drab military uniform, brown leather belt, natural warm skin tones, respectful soft background

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   4 more prompts

   Childhood photo outdoors add natural colors to this childhood photo, green grass, blue sky with soft clouds, warm sunlight on the child, era-appropriate clothing colors

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   Grandparents' formal portrait colorize this formal portrait with dignified natural colors, warm skin tones showing their age gracefully, classic clothing colors from the 1950s

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   Group photo at family gathering add natural realistic colors to this family gathering, varied but harmonious clothing colors, warm indoor lighting, natural skin tones on all faces

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   Memorial or tribute restoration colorize this photo with gentle natural colors, warm lifelike skin tones that honor their memory, soft muted background that doesn't distract

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3. 3

   Review and appreciate

   The AI will generate your colorized photo. Take a moment to look at the faces, the clothing, the setting. Check that skin tones look natural and lifelike. If something seems off, that's okay - you can refine it.

   Tip: Compare with other family photos from the same era if you have them. Colors in the 1940s-60s often had different tones than modern photography.
4. 4

   Refine specific details if needed

   If the AI guessed a color wrong - maybe it made Dad's shirt blue when you know it was brown - tap a marker on that area and regenerate with 'make this brown' added to your prompt. This precision step is optional; most colorizations capture the essence beautifully on the first try.

   Tip: Family members may remember details you don't. Show them the result and ask 'Does this look right?' Their memories can guide your refinements.