Colorizing black and white images without the use of AI tools is possible, but it can be a meticulous and time-consuming process. Historians who recolor old photographs often rely on their knowledge of historical context and color palettes to achieve accurate results. For instance, they might research the era in which the photograph was taken to determine the colors of clothing, buildings, and landscapes that were common during that time. They might also consult other sources, such as paintings or written descriptions, to gather additional information about the colors present in the scene.
However, this approach has its limitations. Without access to a wide range of data and advanced algorithms, it can be difficult to achieve the level of accuracy and realism that AI tools like Deep Nostalgia from MyHeritage.com can provide. These tools use deep learning models that have been trained on millions of images, allowing them to accurately identify and apply the appropriate colors to black and white photographs. While manual colorization can be effective for certain types of images, AI tools offer a more reliable and efficient solution for those looking to colorize large numbers of photographs or achieve a high level of accuracy and realism.