Readers' Photo Corner
By Raffy Paredes
How would you like your family’s old black-and-white photos transformed into color images in a snap? Online today are apps that use artificial intelligence (AI) to put color on black-and-white photographs. They aren’t perfect and may not get the right colors or shades, but still they’re fun to use. One app I enjoy using is ColouriseSG (https://colourise.sg/) which according to the site “performs best on higher resolution images that prominently feature human subjects and natural scenery.” The site does not store the images you upload for colorization. After applying the color, you can download the result as a JPEG file.
Another app online is Algorithmia at https://demos.algorithmia.com/colorize-photos\. This app takes longer to process and the result is a PNG image with a small watermark at the bottom right corner. The third app, Colorize Photo Online Converter (https://www.colorizephoto.com/converter) does not color your photo automatically. It provides the tools for you to paint your photo with your preferred colors. Try them all and see which one gives you the most enjoyment.
Now here are today’s featured readers and their photos.
Angelyn Rose Guamos shares a collage of photos titled “4 Pics in 1 World.” She writes: “I just want to motivate others na kahit wala silang DSLR, they can capture a great photo using their mobile phones. Basta you have the passion and heart of being a photographer, your photos will be superb.”
From Ateneo Sta. Ines is a photo taken during the 2018 Traslacion. He explains his technique: “I made a slow shutter to feel the devotees’ movement along with the Black Nazarene's Andas. The photo was taken along P. Casal St., Quiapo, Manila.”
Dubai-based OFW Daryll Tolentino sent in an untitled photo of an Intramuros building. He shares: “I took this photo along the streets of Intramuros as I feel nostalgia from the past is whispering to me. Nakakapagbuntong-hininga lang.”
John Carlo Bagas Avelida contributed the silhouette photo, “Repleksyon ng Isang Ale.” “Nilitratuhan ko ang isang ale na nangunguha ng mga kutkutin (shell) upang gawing ulam at pananghalian,” writes John Carlo. “Nalitratuhan ko po ito sa Canjaway, Eastern Samar.”
“Breathtaking Sunset,” a photo of the sunset as reflected along the Pasig River in the Sta. Cruz area is from Junie Nuque.
Krenil Miclat submitted the photo titled “Ronac Art Center -Spiral.”
From Mark Jayson Cruz is the photo, “Bagong Taon, Bagong Pag-asa.” He shares that he took the photo in Casiguran, Aurora. The opportunity to travel came via an invitation from Escape Travel and Tours led by Dap Ramos.
Robert Bryan De La Rosa sent in the photo of young fiesta street performers titled “Aurang San Pableno sa Ika-Bente Singko ng Coco.” His photo description reads: “Kasabay sa modernong panahon ngayon ang madami ding pagbabago sa pagdiriwang ng pyesta ng Coco sa Lungsod ng San Pablo. Kasabay ng pagyaman at pag-abante ng lungsod ang pag arangkada at pag-ariba ng pyesta ng niyog.”
Rosever C. Banaay, assistant to the internal audit manager of M. Lhuiller Financial Services Inc. shares a portrait of a poor child titled “Innocent Stare.”
And from Von Yape comes an untitled photo taken inside a shop of various products. Easy to spot is a crucifix hanging by the right corner among souvenirs.
For comments, suggestions or just to share an image or idea, email [email protected] or [email protected].