Historically Accurate Colorizing - Requires Getting Specific

We all LOVE a fast solution. But sometimes, when details matter, a slightly longer option is still the best. Here's the next step in perfecting the colorized image - with AI.

Take a look at this post I did yesterday:

I wrote this post specifically for my AI LAB • AI Photo Mastermind group… but the takeaways are good for the creative professionals here in this Substack.

I am going to continue in that space for a moment, but with some new images - and more attention to the prompting.

Here is an old b/w image of John Wayne and some of his co-stars on set.

Using Google AI Studio I uploaded the image above and prompted:

Restore this old black and white picture of John Wayne and fellow actors. I want it now to have natural daylight colors appropriate to the region of Utah, make the color as naturally as you can. Make it look like a modern iPhone took the picture. Turn the image into a photo. Don't change any elements in the photo itself. Keep the details very accurate to the original, just colorized and modernized.

Results?

I wanted to push the color depth a bit more, so prompted next:

Very nice, but it feels a bit washed out. Can you intensify the color to richer tones and deeper hues?

Result:

There.

If I wanted a better sky - I would take it to Photoshop to refine/replace - but I find these edits pretty acceptable.

But, in this channel - we are not just looking for pretty good. We need professional quality and professional results. So, let’s add some refinement to HOW we prompt.

I am going to Gemini 2.5 Pro because I want to bring additional resources to the prompt structure… and the best place for the writing of a prompt that Gemini understands BEST, is Gemini itself.

So, I started a new conversation. I want to start with the known facts. Why? Because facts matter, when we are trying to be as historically accurate (and pro) as possible.

I uploaded the following image:

"President Lincoln on battle-field of Antietam, October, 1862 / Alex. Gardner, photographer." (Getty Images)

To the average American with some basic history - you recognize this as Abraham Lincoln with soldiers in the American Civil War era.

To history buffs - you might note that this was at the Battle of Antietam, and the guy facing off against Lincoln was none other than General George B. McClellan. And if you really know your history - you would know that ol’ George had a problem with authority and insubordination. You also might know that Alexander Gardner shot this image.