Color images are easier to relate to.
This was acknowledged by millions of viewers worldwide in the early 2000s, during the broadcast of documentaries based on archive images filmed in color during World War II. However, such archives only represent about 10% of the images from that period, and only concern specific events. Colorization lets us convey the same emotions, using the immense resources provided by black and white archives.
Color in images is an essential source of information.
It enables viewers to instantly identify elements and characters – recognizing flags more easily, for instance. It ensures a more comprehensible and efficient image than black and white.
Colorization provides access to a wider audience, in particular to younger audiences.
To an extent, younger audiences simply switch channels when confronted with black and white images. Color allows you to attract more viewers, as the worldwide broadcast of the “Apocalypse” series demonstrated.
Color is also a new asset for directors.
Like editing, narration, music, sound or color grading, directors can use colorization to recreate a season, an ambiance or weather conditions. Color can therefore be used to express atmospheres in a movie.