Color makes a huge difference

So I'm still working on this Joe Louis Colorized tribute. And I'm quite amazed at how significant adding color is.

Most of us have seen colorized footage, usually from WWII. It adds some depth. But this is completely different. This is a boxer. This is someone whom we meticulously measure against contemporary counterparts. It's not just a prettier version of some historical media, it's a revelation of speed, power, and talent of the boxer.

When I color an entire clip, I myself become fascinated. As if I wasn't working on it. The end result becomes much greater than the effort I put into it.

I cannot wait to complete this video, and show this to you guys. Non boxing fans will think I'm nuts for putting in tremendous work frame by frame to color footage of some dead guy. But you guys get it. You guys will appreciate it.

My goal is that this video will slightly alter the outlook of Joe Louis forever.

 

Todays work:
http://imgur.com/i2L5hBX

 

Definitely, but color is pretty big enhancement.

What do you mean by genuine representation?

 

At the end of the day, these are still filmed with 30's and 40's camera technology, and that has hard limitations. We miss out on tons of detail.

The most important thing we miss, is depth. This is why Joe Louis vs. Max Baer looks like a middleweight fight, despite Louis being bigger than Holyfield, and Max Baer being the same height as Larry Holmes.

The lack of depth, also hurts your perception of weight and physics. Which is what I consider the single most important loss when watching old boxing footage. With modern footage, you can easily determine which foot a boxer is putting his weight on. You can see the shifts in weight. You can see the muscles tense when they move around the ring, or throw a big punch. You can't see this with old footage, which often makes it feel synthetic, or even comical. Corbett vs. Fitz looks like two shadows pawing at each other. Without testimonials, and other forms of context, you might swear that neither fighter could pack a punch.

You can watch Manny vs. Floyd, and see hundreds of emotions throughout the fight. But how well can you recall the various emotions of Joe Louis, or Max Schmeling?

There is little to no emotional connection between the viewer and the subject. And that damages the legacy of these fighters to most fans, who don't dig a little deeper in research like many of us here.

 

I can tell you with full certainty that when I colored Louis for this heavy bag clip, it definitely brought out more of his muscles.

Were the muscles there the whole time? Yeah.
But when you see color and not just shades of grey. It impacts your perception.

 

I appreciate it. Can't wait to show this to you guys.