How to Photograph or Scan Old Prints for the Best Colorization Results

The problem

Most disappointing colourisations start with a poor digital copy: a print shot at an angle with a window reflected in it, a shadow across one side, a curl, or the whole photo album page in the frame. The colouriser can only work with what it’s given, so the faults show up in the result.

A simple routine

1. Flatten the print. Lay it on a plain table. Press a curled one flat under clean glass or a heavy book, then remove the glass for the shot if it reflects.
2. Use even light. Soft daylight from a window, with the print on a table beside it, avoids hard shadows. No flash.
3. Shoot straight on. Hold the phone parallel to the print, centred above it, so the edges look square. Stand back a little and zoom in rather than leaning in.
4. Kill glare. For glossy prints, change the angle of the print or the light until no reflections show.
5. Focus. Tap on the face to focus and hold still.
6. Fill the frame, then crop. Crop away borders, tape and the album page before colourising.
7. Shoot twice if it matters. Pick the sharper one.

Things to avoid

• Photographing a photo on a screen or through plastic sleeves.
• Strong coloured light, which tints the “black and white”.
• Heavy editing before colourising. A light brightness or contrast tweak is fine; over-sharpening isn’t.

Then

Bring it into ReColor and colourise it. If the result is poor, see when colours look wrong.

Size matters

If the scan is small, an HD Upscale afterwards (Pro) can help for printing. See HD Upscale.

FAQ

Do I need a scanner? No. A phone camera in good light works well if you avoid glare and shoot straight on.

Should I crop first? Yes. Cropping away borders and album backgrounds helps the colourisation.

What about glossy prints? Tilt them slightly away from direct light, or use soft window light, to avoid reflections.