How To Colorize a Black and White Photo in Photoshop

In this tutorial, Chris Spooner from Spoon Graphics shares his process for colorizing a black and white photograph. The author worked on a photo of his Grandad during World War II, which had the characteristic sepia tone of a snapshot from the 1940s. After scanning and processing the image in Photoshop, the author was able to bring the photograph to life in full color and with improved contrast. This transformation allows the viewer to better imagine the scene as it would have appeared in reality.

The original black and white photograph had a washed-out, sepia look, which is common for images from that time period. However, by utilizing the tools and techniques available in Photoshop, the author was able to breathe new life into the image, adding vibrant colors and enhancing the overall visual appeal. This process helps to bridge the gap between the past and present, giving the viewer a more immersive and engaging experience when viewing historical photographs.

Watch tutorial

Get tutorials & freebies delivered to you.

Subscribe to the Photoshop Roadmap newsletter, a weekly roundup of new tutorials, insights and quality downloads, trusted by 6500+ readers.

How to Create Circle Cropped Photos with Transparent Backgrounds in Photoshop

Circular cropping transforms standard photographs into clean, professional profile images perfect for websites, social media, and presentations. The frame tool method creates non-destructive crops with transparent backgrounds that export seamlessly across different platforms. This streamlined workflow eliminates the need for complex selections or masks while maintaining full control over image...

Understanding Generative AI Credits: Which Tools Cost Nothing and Which Tools Drain Your Budget

Navigating the world of AI-powered editing tools can be confusing when you're unsure which features consume credits and which are free to use. Many powerful AI functions don't require any credits at all, while others can quickly exhaust your monthly allowance depending on which models and...

How to Use Generative Upscale to Restore and Enhance Low-Resolution Images in Photoshop

Low-resolution images often limit your creative projects, especially when you need sharp prints or high-quality displays. Photoshop's Generative Upscale feature transforms small, pixelated photos into crisp, detailed images using AI-powered enhancement. This tool offers three distinct AI models, each designed for specific image types—from landscapes and portraits...

How to Use Harmonize to Automatically Match Lighting in Photoshop Composites

Creating seamless composites traditionally requires hours of manual color correction and lighting adjustments. The new Harmonize tool changes this by automatically analyzing your background and matching your subject's lighting, shadows, and color tones with a single click. This AI-powered feature eliminates the need for complex adjustment layers and...

How to Use Adobe Photoshop in ChatGPT for Photo Editing

Adobe Photoshop is now integrated directly into ChatGPT, allowing you to edit photos using simple text descriptions. This new feature lets you enhance images, apply creative effects, and make targeted adjustments without needing a Photoshop subscription. You can describe what you want to change and fine-tune adjustments using familiar Photoshop...

How to Fix Skin Tones in Photoshop - Complete Guide

Skin tones can make or break a portrait, yet color casts and uneven lighting often leave subjects looking unnatural or flat. Whether dealing with mixed lighting conditions, camera white balance issues, or post-processing mishaps, getting skin colors right requires a systematic approach that works consistently across different scenarios. This comprehensive...