Jim Tonne

I am now going to confess something. I used an AI program to onvert the original PlusX B&W images to olor. Your comments helped me to adjust color temperature, color saturation and so on. But the software did a far better job than I as a mere mortal could have done. This use of this external software applies to #38 and beyond.

I had a bitch of a time purchasing the key for the program and so I will now repay those folks by refusing to tell the name of the software. They suceeded in shutting down my debit card for a day; the purchase came from India and that threw up a flag at my bank who stopped the purchase and shut down the card. The next day I succeeded in making the key purhase by tapping my PayPal account. The outfit's customer service replied to my request for assistance by telling me to 'copy the key into the box'. What key? What box? A few hours later I received an email from more knowledgeable people who straightened things out.

Your mileage may vary !

I hope to ontinue this series by posting more images. I'm having fun with this project. Some images have fun booboos such as purple fingers and so on but WTF.

- JimT

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

For me, it is not that the process is AI, it is the feeling that there is some how the need to colorize a B&W image.

Here is a case in point to help with the thinking. There is an idiot on Deviant Art who though it a great idea to colorize an old B&W photograph. This genius decided to colorize this image:
TINA MODATTI BY EDWARD WESTON, COLORIZED.

The issue here goes beyond the law and copy right, it goes to the idiocy of thinking you know better than the original creator f an image that another has made in B&W. Jim of course has the absolute right to colorize his own images, he hold the copy right because he created the image and as an artist he has the right to explore his artistic intent to alter and create new evolutions for an image. That is not in dispute. The 'question' I have is why create images that are made with the vision of 'seeing' in B&W.

And for the person who would love to 'stir the pot' about color verses B&W with regards to Edward Weston (you can add Ansel Adams to this small historic group), Edward Weston was among

I refer to this guy as an idiot because he is one the vary small group of recognized photographer who the Eastman Kodak Company approached and offered ton supply with both FREE sheet film (yes, even 8X10) in Kodachrome materials, at no charge and Kodak would not request any use of the materials, but would later request use of images and pay for use rights, as in no string attached. Yes, they were vary well aware that Weston did nude women images.

I refer to this guy as an 'idiot' because he is one. I also notified the Deviant Art web master that this was going on and also the Weston Estate and The Museum of Modern Art that this was going on. To just 'decide' to colorize old B&W images because you can for others work can be actionable. Violation of 'artistic intent' should not be taken lightly. Like making the Pooh Bear do naughty things when he is wearing a red shirt? Watch Disney Productions nail you to the wall. So why should idiots be allowed to plagiarize the work of a great artist with colorizing an image by some simple minded individual?

Tdearing Loc: Rockport, TX

Sorry for the trouble, but the result is spectacular.

longmg Loc: South Shore, MA

The image is/was spectacular prior to being colorized. The model is flawless, AI makes colorization simpler than it has been in the past, and this modification shows that. That said I do agree modification of others work without consent is a slippery slope.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

I spent nearly my entire adult life working in the computer software field and AI is simply a logical next step. And it's only as good as the programmers who write it. An earlier concept was known as "machine learning." Unlike many, I don't find it threatening. It is, after all, only as good as the people who wrote it.

It isn't perfect. I've seen plenty of examples of rendered images that, while impressive, aren't real-looking. Nearly all photo editing software from the "big guys" (Adobe, Luminar, ON1) are using AI to enhance images. But keep in mind that the control is still under human management.

Jim, your images are yours, not AI's. You are using AI as a photo-enhancement tool, and I see nothing wrong with that. If you had used AI to create images out of whole cloth, I think many of us would complain that it isn't "photography" (and strictly speaking, it isn't. "Photography" = "the art or process of producing images by the action of radiant energy and especially light on a sensitive surface (such as film or an optical sensor)" - Webster).

Your images you've posted here have shown your progress in using new tools and capabilities. I give you much credit for that!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

theaverlo Loc: Iowa

However you're doing it, keep it up. We enjoy your postings!

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Exactly!

Toby

I agree and maybe we need to change the definition of photography to Strait Out Of Camera images only all others are "______"?

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Beautiful gal in B&W or color!

bwa

DanDe Loc: Mchigan

Timmers, I understand your point about colorizing someone else’s B&W photo being totally wrong. I agree with you Timmers. However, Jim is colorizing HIS OWN PHOTOS, which is an entirely different thing and certainly within his creative choice. He is having fun editing his beautiful body of historical photos and sharing a different aspect of the photos with the UHH community, for which we should be grateful.

By the way…how do I quote the comment I’m replying to?

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

I clearly stated that he had every right and clearly it is his artistic decision to make these changes, that was not the dispute, it was one of a person choosing to ignore the copy right and to make such a muck of altering such an image of this type. Remember that the subject of this photograph is herself a famous photographer and political activist and most likely would not tolerate the gumbas pirating of the image.

To copy a quote you use the middle button which is larger that the two on either side of the three choices for 'REPLY".

mjc925 Loc: SF Bay Area

I am only here to say "WOW" regarding the model.....and a nice image in either BW or color. I really like the reflection (wish it included just a bit more of the gal).

huntmj

Great picture keep posting

RogStrix Loc: UK

Err, throughout history photographers have manipulated pictures, guess there are very few that are actually 'straight out of camera?'