Calling all Photoshop users or...

[Phil]

... any image manipulation software users for that matter.

 

Below is an image of an almost identical cottage to the one I live in now. It stood next door to where we now live but was pulled down around 40 years ago to make way for a large new property.

What I'm after is the image colourising. I've had a go myself and am reasonably happy with the result, but I can't help but feel it could be improved upon.

 

As I recall, the window frames were powder blue with the sashes being white/cream, I've no idea of the door colour so your guess is as good as mine.

The cottage is obviously decked to commemorate the coronation.

 

So, ladies and gents, should you feel the need for a change from bug hunting why not give it a go, I'd be very interested in seeing the results. 

 

The original full size scan can be downloaded HERE.

 

[FUJI]

I'll do it for you Phil.........as soon as it gets a bit cooler after our evening meal I will get it done on my desktop in Corel Paint Pro ( my preferred colouring software) with a whizz of Topaz to finish off.

FUJI

[Korky]

Colouring isn't one of my skills - I see colours VERY differently from normal folk. But.......

 

It's good to know that you're still alive and well and running the vast TIPF empire from a tiny cottage in the Y*rkshire backwoods.

 

Korky 

[Phil]

When I posted this I wasn't after someone to do the job for me, more to get an idea of everyone's interpretation of the colours in the image, flowers just aint my thing

Thankfully, FUJI stepped to the fore to offer his knowledge.

 

I've now given the job a go myself and would be interested in your comments, observations etc.

 

[annie]

Very clever, how on earth did you do it?

[FUJI]

WELL DONE PHIL!

That is a remarkable transformation, I was pleased and honoured to have been of assistance.........the Red, White And Blue theme is just right.

FUJI

[Phil]

Thanks both. It does take patience but, if you're interested enough it isn't a chore. I do it because I enjoy it, this image took a whole day.

 

Annie, in a nut shell this is how I did it. Search the web and you'll find lots of different methods of achieving similar results.

 

Click the New Layer icon bottom right (the half/half circle) and select Solid Colour.

 

 

 

Move the colour picker to any colour that closely resembles what you're after. To be honest, you can choose any colour at all because it can easily be changed later.

 

 

 

Double click the layers mask and click Invert.

 

 

 

With white selected begin painting with a soft brush the area to be coloured.

 

 

 

From the blending options above the layers pallet select Soft Light.

 

 

 

 

What I didn't mention is don't forget to name your layers, should you take it seriously then you'll end up with 20 plus layers that are almost impossible to keep track of.

Double clicking on the layer (the green square) will show the colour pallet again, swap and change to your heart's content. Altering the layer's opacity can help too.

[ChrisLumix]

When I posted this I wasn't after someone to do the job for me, more to get an idea of everyone's interpretation of the colours in the image, flowers just aint my thing

Thankfully, FUJI stepped to the fore to offer his knowledge.

 

I've now given the job a go myself and would be interested in your comments, observations etc.

 

 

That's one awesome transformation! I wouldn't have had the patience, I think.

 

You did ask for observations (sorry to be a bit picky!) :

 

1. The road in the foreground looks completely wrong - too light and bright and the wrong colour perhaps?

2. I'm not convinced by the flowers in the windows - I think through glass they'd look a bit different ?

3. Also, the greenery of the foreground is TOO green! and possibly not quite the right shade?

 

But those are picky points as I say - you've done an amazing job.

[Kobione]

 you've done an amazing job.

 

Yes, you have, Phil, yours is great!!  If I was to have a go at it, I'd have to go for a simpler subject anyway, don't think I could manage one so complex  

[Paul]

Excellent work Phil.

 

Paul.

[Phil]

You did ask for observations (sorry to be a bit picky!) :

 

1. The road in the foreground looks completely wrong - too light and bright and the wrong colour perhaps?

2. I'm not convinced by the flowers in the windows - I think through glass they'd look a bit different ?

3. Also, the greenery of the foreground is TOO green! and possibly not quite the right shade?

 

Be as picky as you want, that's the reason I posted the image.

 

Completely agree about the green, it has already been toned down.

I did reduce the flow for the flowers in the window, maybe not enough.

I've used a deep grey (believe it or not) for the road/path but struggled to get the colour any deeper without looking unnatural so decided to leave it as-is.

[ChrisLumix]

Be as picky as you want, that's the reason I posted the image.

 

Completely agree about the green, it has already been toned down.

I did reduce the flow for the flowers in the window, maybe not enough.

I've used a deep grey (believe it or not) for the road/path but struggled to get the colour any deeper without looking unnatural so decided to leave it as-is.

 

I don't blame you - it doesn't look right on the original either; it could be wet from rain and reflecting strongly, or covered in a pale dust from something that recently passed through. Or something like that. I don't think the original camera could cope with whatever it was.

[FUJI]

Hi, Chris,

I initially helped Phil to produce this, and he has made an amazing job......take yourself back to your mono film days, and you might recall that many B/W photographs were coloured using a set if KODAK photograph tints.......I used to colour pics for my Army pals during National Service.

The colours from these were always a bit harsh, Phil's colouring here reflects that kind of mood rather than him attempting to make it compare to a colour print of the period......

To paint solid colour on to black and dark areas of a photograph takes some nerve to get right......he has made a remarkable job that his History Group should be very proud of.

FUJI

[Phil]

Keep those opinions coming please, I've got hundreds of local photos to scan with a selected few getting colourised

 

I've toned this one down a little, darkened the path and road some more, and IIRC kerbs were made from a form of Yorkshire stone years ago so I've given this one a tan tint.

Oh yeah, I changed the door colour too because, well, because I can

 

[Guywiththebeard]

Bloody brilliant job - coarse the door should be blue to match the powder blue windows - not my taste though:)