Living Color, Part II

As many of you know, Uni Watch runs a photo colorization gallery on weekends. This one was published today:

Next up is prodigious colorizer John Turney, who has one that a certain other dinner companion with Paul & Conn reader will no doubt appreciate:

Phil,

End LaVern (Lavvie) Dilweg is seen here modeling one of the lesser-known uniforms in the Packers’ historical closet.

The pants are described as “faded blue canvas”, the first time the Packers moved away from gold or canvas-colored trousers. Finishing off the look is a pair of gold socks with two navy blue stripes.

This uniform was worn for two seasons, 1927 and 1928, before being replaced by the famous “circle” 1929 uniforms.

From Packers uniform blogspot, the pants are the right color.

–John Turney

Great stuff, John.

I couldn't agree more. Outstanding work! The blue jersey/blue pants/gold socks is such an unusual combination.

Turney sends other examples of this work, including this gorgeous shot of the Packers playing the Rams at Marquette Stadium in 1952:

Love the autumnal color on the trees. I think that dark green/metallic gold Packers combination is highly under-rated.

He also sends this beauty of Verne Lewellen in the 1929-1930 uniform:

Outstanding work all around. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

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.