Living Color

With so much of the Packers' early history preserved only in black and white photos, it's a pleasant change to see a color image, even if we have to make one ourselves.

This image was colorized by Phil Hecken, who writes the weekend columns for the Uni Watch blog (and who has assumed the day-to-day duties while Paul is on his August sabbatical).

Phil uses the freeware GIMP (Graphic Image Manipulating Program)to colorize old black and white photos.

The choice of red for the defender was interesting. He explains:

i have NO IDEA if the colors of the opposition are correct — just an educated guess after having worked with b & w for a little while now…

Looked to me as though it could have been the Cardinals, but two readers suggested the Lions, and sure enough, after a little digging I learned that the photo was taken at a 1945 game in Milwaukee against... Detroit. A game the Packers won 57-21.

Another reminder that even veteran photo editors can be fooled by black and white photos. When reduced to shades of gray, reds appear blue and vice versa. Phil promises to re-do the picture in Honolulu Blue soon, and while he's at it give us a tutorial on his process.

More to come.