When you rant about that awful layover on social media, you’re painting a target on your back. Scammers are lurking, ready to cash in on your bad flight experience.
Tech how-to: Colorize old black-and-white photos
Does your family have a collection of vintage photos you’d like to modernize with color? Maybe you have some old black-and-white pictures to which you’d like to add color for creative effect.
No matter the why, transforming an image with the addition of color can make all the difference in the world.
Ready to get started? We’ll walk you through the process.
Fix the base image
Before we jump into the steps, this process requires some photo editing skills and a program that uses layers, like Photoshop or GIMP. GIMP is a free alternative that has all the features of Photoshop without the cost. Tap or click here for direct download links.
If you’re working on a vintage photo that’s been scanned, you may need to start by fixing defects first. Use a photo editing healing tool to remove scratches, dust, and any nicks or mars. For steps on doing that, check out this article on digitally restoring old photos.
If you’re working on a color or sepia image, neutralize the colors by converting it to black and white. Add the black-and-white adjustment layer instead of converting to the grayscale mode for more flexibility.
Now all you have to do is increase contrast and exposure using levels adjustment layers.
Add white balance
So much of the color we see in an image originates from light conditions. We see more blues in the early morning light and warm yellows in bright sunlight.
To give your photos the right lighting effect, add a curves adjustment layer and adjust the Red-Blue-Green channel to get the look you want. Add a layer mask to get this effect on parts of an image instead of the entire thing.
Need some inspiration for your own photography goals? Check out Dreamstime for thousands of amazing pro images and start getting inspired now!
Photoshop too expensive? Use these free alternatives instead
Most smartphones today are powerful enough that anybody can take professional-looking photos without needing an expensive camera. In fact, the one in your smartphone is probably better than an old digital camera you have lying around.
King Henry had two axe wives: Art historian Adam Busiakiewicz spotted a missing portrait of King Henry VIII while scrolling on X. The painting was in the background of a photo at Warwick’s Shire Hall in central England. I’m sure it will end up at the British Museum, along with everything else stolen in the world.
$9,850,000
Listing price for Bob Ross’ very first painting from his TV show. He created “A Walk in the Woods” live during the 1983 premiere of “The Joy of Painting.” Yes, it features a few happy little trees.
Find the exact paint color you need with this handy tool
Painting your home can be time-consuming and frustrating, and most of our time is wasted trying to pick the right colors for each room.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve wasted time sitting around with paint swatches just looking down at them then up at the wall. Rinse and repeat. Tap or click here for 7 of the smartest productivity tools to improve work performance.