Photo Colorization

Transform black and white photographs into vibrant, realistic color images using each::sense. This skill uses AI to intelligently analyze image content and apply historically accurate, contextually appropriate colors.

Features

• Automatic Colorization: AI detects subjects and applies natural colors
• Historical Accuracy: Context-aware coloring for period-appropriate results
• Portrait Enhancement: Realistic skin tones for faces and portraits
• Landscape Restoration: Natural colors for outdoor and nature scenes
• Vintage Photo Revival: Bring old family photos back to life
• Batch Processing: Colorize multiple photos in sequence
• Style Preservation: Maintains original photo quality and details

Quick Start

curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Colorize this black and white photo with natural, realistic colors",
    "image_urls": ["https://example.com/bw-photo.jpg"],
    "mode": "max"
  }'

Common Use Cases

Use Case Examples

1. Automatic Colorization

Basic colorization with AI-detected colors.

curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Colorize this black and white photograph. Apply natural, realistic colors based on the image content. Maintain the original quality and details.",
    "image_urls": ["https://example.com/old-photo.jpg"],
    "mode": "max"
  }'

2. Historical Photo Colorization

Colorize with period-appropriate historical accuracy.

curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Colorize this historical photograph from the 1940s. Use period-accurate colors typical of that era - muted tones, authentic clothing colors, and historically appropriate details. This appears to be a street scene.",
    "image_urls": ["https://example.com/1940s-street.jpg"],
    "mode": "max"
  }'

3. Family Portrait Colorization

Bring old family photos to life with warm, natural tones.

curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Colorize this old family portrait photo. Apply natural skin tones, realistic hair colors, and period-appropriate clothing colors. The photo appears to be from the 1950s-1960s era. Make it look warm and inviting.",
    "image_urls": ["https://example.com/family-portrait-bw.jpg"],
    "mode": "max"
  }'

4. Landscape Colorization

Natural outdoor and scenic colorization.

curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Colorize this black and white landscape photograph. Apply natural colors - blue sky, green foliage, brown earth tones. Make it look like a vibrant summer day while preserving the original composition and atmosphere.",
    "image_urls": ["https://example.com/landscape-bw.jpg"],
    "mode": "max"
  }'

5. Portrait with Specific Skin Tones

Control skin tone colorization for accurate results.

curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Colorize this portrait photograph. The subject has a medium olive skin tone and dark brown hair. Apply natural, warm skin colors with subtle pink undertones. Eyes appear to be brown. Clothing looks like a dark formal suit.",
    "image_urls": ["https://example.com/portrait-bw.jpg"],
    "mode": "max"
  }'

6. Vintage Photo Colorization

Restore old photographs with era-specific styling.

curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Colorize this vintage photograph from the 1920s. Apply colors that match the Art Deco era - rich jewel tones for clothing, sepia-influenced skin tones, and period-appropriate interior colors. Maintain the vintage aesthetic while adding realistic color.",
    "image_urls": ["https://example.com/1920s-vintage.jpg"],
    "mode": "max"
  }'

7. War/Military Photo Colorization

Historical military photograph restoration with accuracy.

curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Colorize this World War II military photograph. Apply historically accurate colors - olive drab for US Army uniforms, appropriate skin tones for the soldiers, realistic equipment colors. Maintain the somber, documentary feel of the original while adding authentic military colors.",
    "image_urls": ["https://example.com/wwii-soldiers.jpg"],
    "mode": "max"
  }'

8. Architecture Colorization

Building and interior photograph colorization.

curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Colorize this black and white photograph of a Victorian-era building. Apply appropriate architectural colors - red or brown brick, white trim, dark roof tiles, green copper patina if visible. Include natural sky colors and surrounding landscape elements.",
    "image_urls": ["https://example.com/victorian-building.jpg"],
    "mode": "max"
  }'

9. Fashion/Clothing Colorization

Accurate fabric and fashion colorization.

curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Colorize this 1960s fashion photograph. Apply era-appropriate colors - bold mod colors like orange, turquoise, and pink were popular. The model appears to be wearing a structured dress. Apply realistic fabric textures and vibrant 60s palette.",
    "image_urls": ["https://example.com/1960s-fashion.jpg"],
    "mode": "max"
  }'

10. Batch Colorize Multiple Photos

Process multiple photos with consistent styling using session continuity.

# First photo in batch
curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Colorize this black and white family photo from the 1950s. Apply warm, natural colors with period-appropriate tones. This is photo 1 of a series from the same family album.",
    "image_urls": ["https://example.com/family-album-001.jpg"],
    "session_id": "family-album-colorization",
    "mode": "max"
  }'

# Second photo (same session for consistency)
curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Colorize this second photo from the same family album. Maintain consistent skin tones and color style as the previous colorization.",
    "image_urls": ["https://example.com/family-album-002.jpg"],
    "session_id": "family-album-colorization",
    "mode": "max"
  }'

# Third photo (continuing series)
curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Colorize the third photo. Same family, same era. Keep the color palette consistent with previous images.",
    "image_urls": ["https://example.com/family-album-003.jpg"],
    "session_id": "family-album-colorization",
    "mode": "max"
  }'

Best Practices

Image Quality

• Resolution: Higher resolution photos yield better colorization results
• Contrast: Good contrast in the original helps AI identify details
• Clarity: Sharp, clear photos colorize better than blurry ones
• Condition: Digital restoration before colorization can improve results

Prompt Tips

• Provide context: Mention the era, location, or subject matter
• Specify skin tones: If known, describe the subject’s complexion
• Note clothing colors: If you know original colors, include them
• Describe the scene: Outdoor/indoor, season, time of day

Historical Accuracy

• Research the time period for authentic color palettes
• Consider regional variations in fashion and architecture
• Military uniforms and equipment have specific documented colors
• Vintage car and vehicle colors are often well-documented

Mode Selection

Recommendation: Use eco mode for initial tests, then max for final output.

Multi-Turn Refinement

Use session_id to iterate and refine colorization:

# Initial colorization
curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Colorize this old portrait photograph with natural colors",
    "image_urls": ["https://example.com/portrait.jpg"],
    "session_id": "portrait-restoration"
  }'

# Refine the result
curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "The skin tones look a bit too warm. Can you redo the colorization with cooler, more natural skin tones?",
    "session_id": "portrait-restoration"
  }'

# Further adjustment
curl -X POST https://sense.eachlabs.run/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $EACHLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  -d '{
    "message": "The dress should be blue, not green. Please adjust the clothing color.",
    "session_id": "portrait-restoration"
  }'

Error Handling

Related Skills

• each-sense – Core API documentation
• image-restoration – General image restoration
• image-enhancement – Enhance and upscale images
• face-restoration – Specialized face enhancement