colorize_photo adds realistic color to a grayscale, black-and-white or faded photo. It's a photo tool, not a video tool — but it's a common prep step before turning an old family photo or archival image into a slideshow or animated video with Versely's other tools.
saturation gives you control over how vivid the result looks, so you can dial it back for a more natural, period-appropriate feel rather than an oversaturated modern look.
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Colorize a grayscale/black-and-white or faded photo. Use when the user has an old/grayscale photo and wants a colorized version.
What to tell the agent
Versely's agent maps this plain-English request directly onto colorize_photo. You don't need to know the parameter names — just describe what you want.
“Colorize this old black-and-white photo naturally, moderate saturation.”
How it works
1. Upload the photo
Any grayscale, black-and-white or faded image_url works.
2. Set the saturation level
Dial it toward natural/muted for a period-accurate feel, or higher for a more vivid modern look.
3. Pick an output format
output_format controls the file type of the result.
4. Review skin tones and detail
Colorization is model-inferred, not historically verified — review before treating specific colors as factually accurate.
What it costs
Billed per photo processed. Ask the agent for estimate_cost before running it on a batch of images.
The formula behind that number: What does a batch of 100 AI product images cost? — charges one fixed price per call, so the image's size and shape are free.
Limits & things to know
- Colors are inferred by the model, not historically verified — treat the result as a plausible interpretation, not a factual record of the original colors.
- Very degraded or low-resolution source photos give the model less to work with, which can affect result quality.
Who uses this
- Restoring old family photos before a memorial or wedding slideshow
- Prepping archival images for a historical video project
- Bringing faded scans back to life for printing
Frequently asked questions
Are the colors historically accurate?+
No — they're inferred by the model based on typical patterns, not verified historical fact. Treat the result as a plausible interpretation rather than a factual record.
Can I control how vivid the colors look?+
Yes — the saturation parameter lets you dial the result toward a more natural, muted look or a more vivid one.
Does this work on video too?+
colorize_photo is built for still images. It's commonly used as a prep step before turning a colorized photo into a slideshow or video with Versely's other tools.
Related Versely tools
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Colorize an Old Photo inside Versely
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