historical photos brought to life with color

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Abandoned Boy Holding a Stuffed Toy Animal. London 1945

Most often the color palette we associate with history is limited to black and white only. But have you ever imagined what did people, their outfits and backgrounds look like in real life – in color? Members of one of the thriving subreddits, called r/ColorizedHistory, sure have: they choose historic photos we’re used to seeing in black and white and bring them back to life by digitally coloring them. Of course, some interpretation and imagination is used in the process, but all of the artists try to work with as much historical accuracy as possible.
Even though the idea looks simple, the final image has a surprisingly touching effect: by seeing those historic moments in color, we can relate to them easier, and this makes the pictures a whole lot more powerful. Instead of seeing those photos like we’re used to in history books, we now meet people that seem a lot more real, and situations – war scenes, for example – that look as if they have just happened.
It’s nice to see that the community of history fans is growing, and that people want to make it relevant to others. However, this has also sparked some discussion, as some say that the artists are just messing with historic facts and misinforming people. So, view it critically.

Hindenburg Disaster – May 6, 1937

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View from Capitol in Nashville, Tennessee During the Civil War, 1864

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Albert Einstein, Summer 1939
Nassau Point, Long Island, NY

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Unemployed Lumber Worker, circa 1939

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Big Jay McNeely Driving the Crowd at the Olympic Auditorium into a Frenzy, Los Angeles, 1953

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Oscar II, King of Sweden and Norway, 1880

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Elizabeth Taylor – Giant (1956 film)

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Young Boy in Baltimore Slum Area, July 1938

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‘Old Gold’, Country Store, 1939

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[via Twisted Sifter]

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Tom Foerstel : Founder & President

Tom Foerstel

Founder & President

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 60’s, Tom developed a strong desire to create positive change for people and planet.

He went on to pursue his passion for art and design at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and worked for design firms in Southern California before moving to Boise, Idaho in the early 80’s. Foerstel Design opened its doors in 1985. Since its inception, the firm has cultivated a bold, happy, forward-looking team focussed on creating distinct and effective work on behalf of their clients.

An integral part of Tom’s philosophy is giving back to the community in which he lives — a company cornerstone that drives Foerstel’s long history of providing pro-bono services to local non-profit humanitarian and arts programs.

One of Tom’s proudest personal achievements is his ability to say Supercalifragilisticexpyalidocious backwards.