Ever stumbled upon a box of old black-and-white family photos and wondered what they’d look like in full colour? Thanks to AI tools like ChatGPT, you can now add rich, lifelike hues to those cherished memories—all on your own, with no special editing skills required.

ChatGPT’s image tools make it possible to upload black-and-white images and colourise them in a way that keeps the original charm intact. Unlike basic filters found in mobile apps, this AI approach gives you far more creative control—you can tweak skin tones, outfit colours, and even background details. It also helps preserve the lighting, contrast, and textures that define the mood of the original shot.

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Here’s how to colourise old photos using ChatGPT:

Step 1: Upload the Photo

Start by clicking the image icon in your ChatGPT chat window and uploading the black-and-white photo you want to restore. Once it’s uploaded, the AI’s image tools will get to work, transforming your greyscale memories into vibrant, realistic images.

Step 2: Craft a Clear Prompt

Next, you’ll need to write a prompt—a set of instructions that tells the AI how to add colour. The more detail you include, the more accurate and natural the result will be. Try to describe the image’s era, clothing styles, surrounding elements, and colour preferences. This helps the AI generate a more authentic version of the photo.

Here’s an example of what you might write:

1. Make your prompt specific to the content of your photo. For example, mention details like:

“This is a 1940s family portrait.”

“The woman is wearing a light-coloured saree.”

“The background has trees and an old building.”

2. If possible, add context like location, time period, or known colours (e.g., "the uniform was navy blue").

3. Keep the tone natural and instructive, as the AI responds well to clear, descriptive requests.

Here's a sample prompt.

“Please colourise this black-and-white photo naturally. Keep skin tones realistic and preserve original lighting and shadows. Use appropriate, muted colours based on the time period. Maintain texture and sharpness. For clothing, scenery, and buildings, apply natural hues that match the era and style. Avoid artificial or oversaturated tones.”

Once your prompt is submitted, the AI will take a few seconds to generate the colourised version. You can then download the image or fine-tune it with more specific instructions if needed. Keep in mind that, while accurate, the AI might introduce slight variations in detail – but the overall atmosphere and integrity of the image are usually preserved.

Whether you’re restoring old memories or experimenting with creative projects, ChatGPT makes it easier than ever to turn black-and-white images into stunning, full-colour keepsakes.

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