We currently have access to digital media that’s beyond our comprehension. The pixel clarity, the saturation of the colors, and the stunning creativity of the photographers somehow amplify the beauty of the images that we currently have access to.
However, in the past, wartime heroics and cultural revolutions were often photographed in black and white, which truly depict the rawness and intensity of people’s lives back then.
Here are 25 extraordinary colorized photos that transform the way we view the past, probably making us feel more connected to the past.
1. Albert Einstein Sticking Out His Tongue
Einstein’s playful 1951 photo, captured after his 72nd birthday celebration, was always quirky in black and white. But in color, his expressive eyes, the textured grey of his suit, and the reddish tinge of his tongue stand out vividly.
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2. Times Square on V-J Day (1945)
The spontaneous celebrations in Times Square after Japan’s surrender marked the end of World War II. The famous kiss between a sailor and a nurse gains new life in color, bright navy-blue color with white uniform, and the festive red banners truly bring the joy out in the image.
3. Abraham Lincoln Portrait (1863)
You’d not expect to have color photography back in the 1800s. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that pictures were obsolete. Mathew Brady’s portrait of Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War is solemn in black and white, which appears unique when colorized.
4. The Titanic Passengers Boarding (1912)
Before the Titanic’s ill-fated maiden voyage, photographs captured passengers boarding with optimism. The colorized version highlights the contrast between first-class travelers in elegant attire and working-class passengers clutching humble luggage.
5. Civil Rights March on Washington (1963)
Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is immortalized in black-and-white photos, but color adds depth to the sea of faces gathered at the Lincoln Memorial. The bright sunlight and the American flags waving around are truly a stark difference from the original image.
6. Construction Workers on Rockefeller Center Beam (1932)
This daring photograph of workers casually eating lunch atop a steel beam during the Depression shows astonishing nonchalance. Colorization brings out the muted browns of their work boots and the backdrop of New York City.
7. Charles Darwin’s Portrait (1874)
Darwin’s sharp, inquisitive gaze in his famous portrait becomes even more striking in color. You can see the color of his coat and the neutral expression that he holds throughout. His grey-white beard and subtle flesh tones add to the image, too.
8. D-Day Landings (1944)
Photos of Allied troops storming Normandy on D-Day often appear flat in monochrome. In color, the khaki uniforms, turbulent waves, and grim determination etched on the soldiers’ faces make the tension palpable.
9. Marilyn Monroe’s Subway Grate Photo (1954)
Marilyn’s iconic pose, captured during the filming of The Seven Year Itch, is legendary. The colorized version accentuates her platinum hair, ruby lips, and the white halter dress, which is nothing short of iconic.
10. Winston Churchill’s Portrait (1941)
Karsh’s photograph of Winston Churchill was taken moments after he famously scowled at having his cigar removed. It is one of the most popular portraits of the ruthless leader, and somehow, the colorized version is even more intriguing.
11. Native American Chief Joseph (1903)
Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Tribe is often depicted in somber black and white. In the colored format, you get to witness the beauty of the clothing, the color of the feathers, and the beaded work all over.
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12. The Wright Brothers’ First Flight (1903)
The grainy image of the Wright Flyer taking off is a cornerstone of aviation history. In the colorized image, you can witness the sandy color of Kitty Hawk’s dunes, the wooden plane structure, and the clear Carolina sky.
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13. Babe Ruth at Yankee Stadium (1920s)
Babe Ruth’s larger-than-life presence dominated baseball’s golden age. While the black and white version is famous, the colorized version showcases the pinstripes of the uniform and the greenery of the field around it.
14. Mahatma Gandhi and the Spinning Wheel (1946)
Gandhi’s quiet moment with his spinning wheel symbolizes India’s struggle for independence. The colorized version of the image brings out the earthy tones of the hut and also the sombreness of the image.
15. Pearl Harbor Attack (1941)
The black-and-white images of the Pearl Harbor attack are chilling enough, but when colorized, you get to witness the orange flames and the smoke that covers the area, further adding to the horror of the situation.
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16. The Hindenburg Disaster (1937)
The catastrophic explosion of the Hindenburg airship shocked the world. Captured in black and white at the time, the colored iteration of the same image further highlights the devastation of the blazing inferno.
17. Pablo Picasso in His Studio (1940s)
Picasso, surrounded by his canvases, offers a glimpse into genius at work. Colorization enhances the eclectic hues of his paintings, the earthy tones of his studio, and the casual attire he wore while working on his masterpieces.
18. The Great Depression Migrant Mother (1936)
Dorothea Lange’s portrait of Florence Owens Thompson embodies the suffering of the Great Depression. If the monotone version wasn’t heartbreaking enough, the colorized version somehow amplifies the heartbreak further.
19. Elvis Presley in Army Uniform (1958)
Elvis’s military photos mark a stark shift from rock ’n’ roll icon to soldier. Color brings out the olive drab of his uniform, as well as the youthful gleam in his eyes.
20. Ernest Hemingway in Key West (1930s)
Ernest Hemingway and his second wife, Pauline, lived and wrote in Key West from 1931 until late 1939, establishing a significant period in his literary career and life during the 1930s, most of which is captured in black and white.
21. The March of the Suffragettes (1913)
Black-and-white photos of suffragettes marching for women’s rights often evoke a sense of distance. In color, the purple, white, and green banners pop against the cobblestone streets.
22. The Burning of the Reichstag (1933)
The Reichstag fire marked a pivotal moment in Nazi Germany’s rise to power. The colorization blaze consuming the parliament building and the ominous night sky further add to the world’s history.
23. Young Queen Elizabeth II (1940s)
Before she became Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, Elizabeth was a princess, and her youth somehow shines through better in the colored version.
24. The First New York Subway Ride (1904)
The launch of New York’s subway was a marvel of modern engineering. In color, the polished tiles, glowing gas lamps, and fashionable commuters reflect the optimism of a city stepping boldly into the 20th century.
25. Olympics marathon (1896)
The image of male athletes in training was captured during the first Summer Olympics in 1986, and the colorized version adds to the charm further.
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Final Words
Colorization of these black and white images from history truly reflects the difference between the past and present. It showcases how far digital media has come and that the world is no longer confined to monochrome.
