Estimates and help needed to colorize a B&W

[dipech]

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to get opinions on what would be a reasonable price to colorize the photo below and any recommendations how to go about it--i.e. how do you decide what colors to use? (The client has given no clues.) Do you need to use different skin tones for each? I have not done any major colorizing before, other than maybe eye color, so this is new territory for me. Thank goodness, RTP has some good tutorials!

Thanks very much for any suggestions & Best regards all!,
Diane

[Gary Richardson]

Hi Diane,

I don't do too many colour jobs, (only for family and friends), so I don't charge, so can't help you there, other than to say charge for the time it took you.

As for colour choice, I'd look for a colour photo of similar vintage to get an idea of dress and suit colouring. For skin tones I use Bruce's skin tone charts, also his hair tone chart as well.

I always work on lots of layers, enabling more subtle changes of skin tones between different subjects, by varying layer opacities.

No doubt one of the colour specialists like Vicky will be along soon, and can advise you further.

Good luck with your colour job. Have fun.

[nicks]

Hi Diane,

If I get this photo to colorize, I would charge $25. Also about skin tone.. I prefer to make it a bit different for all. Also about clothes here.. it would better to get some client opinion so, later on you need not to redo it. But if no opinion available then should use the most common colors.


Good luck.
- Nick.

[Vikki]

I would charge at least $80.00 for coloring this.
Yes, the skin tones should be different. Look at any snapshot of a group, and you'll see the subtle differences.
I would look at sites that sell vintage clothing from that era, specifically evening wear, for ideas about colors.

[dipech]

Hi Vikki, Gary and Nicks,

Thanks very much for your input. I gave a quote of $75 to the photo studio I work with and we'll see what happens. In any case, I really would like to learn how to colorize and plan to study more of the tutorials and info here.

I will also do some research on google to find some interesting vintage sites.

Thanks again,
Diane

[Vikki]

Glad to help.
I have to ask though....you mentioned you'd like "to learn how to colorize". Are you taking on the job yourself?