Hi. I just posted a response to this question on my GoComics page. Below is what I wrote.
Long, long explanation to this:
It was a combination of me and AI. I used a photography program (Luminar–formerly Luminar Neo) with built-in AI to lay down the basic colors. Then I went in and made an insane number of tweaks–changing or modifying colors and extending the color for areas that don’t look right or were left out.
The initial color only takes about a minute or three. But I’m frequently unhappy with the color on the first pass through the AI. So I might start over and make several additional attempts before Luminar comes up with something I like. In addition the color corrections and changes I make typically take anywhere from two to three hours. (Although I’ve sometimes spent much more than that when I get persnickety and I’m fixing small details.)
I think this is the third B&W silent movie image I’ve colored. I have three more that are finished and that I’ll be using in the next few weeks.
Frankly, I’ve got mixed feelings about the colorization.
On the negative side: It takes way too long to get the colors right. Plus I suspect some people will prefer the images unchanged just to keep the images pure. And some people will object just because they hate anything that smacks of generative AI.
On the plus side: It’s an experiment for me. And I love to experiment. Plus it’s just plain fun to see how the photos turn out. And I do think the color makes the images pop more–which probably–makes them more popular.
Recoloring old black and white movies is a mixed bag. Ted Turner was doing it for a while to mixed reviews. The negative ones were all from people who thought the movie should have stayed as originally filmed. I can see doing it for shorts and stills like the one used in this gag, but not major classics like Casablanca.
I love Harold Loyd movies!
Is that your love poking me in the back?
You would think an expensive pole dancing school like this would have more than one pole
The top of another pole can be seen near the upper right corner, behind the big guy’s hat.
Who colored the movie still since it was originally in black and white?
Probably just part of the natural aging process?
Hi. I just posted a response to this question on my GoComics page. Below is what I wrote.
Long, long explanation to this:
It was a combination of me and AI. I used a photography program (Luminar–formerly Luminar Neo) with built-in AI to lay down the basic colors. Then I went in and made an insane number of tweaks–changing or modifying colors and extending the color for areas that don’t look right or were left out.
The initial color only takes about a minute or three. But I’m frequently unhappy with the color on the first pass through the AI. So I might start over and make several additional attempts before Luminar comes up with something I like. In addition the color corrections and changes I make typically take anywhere from two to three hours. (Although I’ve sometimes spent much more than that when I get persnickety and I’m fixing small details.)
I think this is the third B&W silent movie image I’ve colored. I have three more that are finished and that I’ll be using in the next few weeks.
Frankly, I’ve got mixed feelings about the colorization.
On the negative side: It takes way too long to get the colors right. Plus I suspect some people will prefer the images unchanged just to keep the images pure. And some people will object just because they hate anything that smacks of generative AI.
On the plus side: It’s an experiment for me. And I love to experiment. Plus it’s just plain fun to see how the photos turn out. And I do think the color makes the images pop more–which probably–makes them more popular.
So, I’m curious. How do readers feel about this?
All orgies should be brought to us in technicolor John.
Keep coloring those orgies please. You’re the right man for the job.
Recoloring old black and white movies is a mixed bag. Ted Turner was doing it for a while to mixed reviews. The negative ones were all from people who thought the movie should have stayed as originally filmed. I can see doing it for shorts and stills like the one used in this gag, but not major classics like Casablanca.