Classic Black and White Photos in Color

Classic Black and White Photos in Color

You might find it interesting to assess your reactions by looking at the pictures one-by-one. In some cases the color adds life and humanity to the original. In others, the color spoils the mood, or perhaps I should say it alters our emotional response, so that we feel less able to experience the picture in the way we have always considered correct.

In general, I prefer the colorized versions of the humans in front of bare walls, especially the pics of Lucille Ball, Charles Darwin and Lincoln. Color makes Lucy more beautiful; it makes Lincoln seem more like a man, less like a remote icon; it makes Darwin look less like an eminent thinker and more like the homeless guy who occasionally wanders into your neighborhood watering hole. If you ran into this guy in 1874 and he started talking about natural selection, you'd assume he was both drunk and crazy. Just goes to show that intellect has many disguises!

On the other hand, I prefer the black-and-whites when the camera pulls farther away. The color changes the atmosphere and/or makes background items seem more important than they should be.