As a restorer who prefers to colour...So maybe im a colourist then
it is all about the creative buzz and the interest in some stories posters share to help a restorer "paint the mind picture" before we even restore or attempt to colour an old photo.
Removing creases, light defects, noise and damage through ageing is something that obscures the photo - surely an improved digital version is better and can be used in presentations, videos etc etc for family trees and tracing history etc. It is in digital format thus,......the original still has its creases etc.....
The cherished memories for some are better in black and white (natural) for others the possibility of seeing as close to realistic colouring enhances memories or old family ties. Intrigue in the original photo still resides after a restore and colour-up. Nice to have before and afters....
The other side for me is do - i sit and watch the rubbish soap operas on tv or repeated films time and time again or try and help others with family treasures such as the old photos.
Restoring and colouring is very rewarding when you get the good sized images to play with and people actually thank you for the time and effort. Nothing makes a poster or restorer happier than a good result and lots of various efforts from many talented restorers on here. Everyone has a skill and artistic perspective so it is interesting to see the effects of everybody.
Very rarely do we tamper with the aesthetics of an original photo i.e head swap or change backgrounds dramatically...unless a photo is poor quality or there is no other option than to try something radical with artistic license. This open forum allows restorers to also at times try cheeky alternative design methods which helps us practice skills. Not always do they come out how the photo poster wanted, but as creative restorers/colourists we like to push the limits and boundaries.
Always every artist/restorer/colourist delivers something valuable.
If people want photoshop graphics then they go to other forums/websites and here is 99.9% tasteful restorations and colourisation.
Others will have different comments to me - just like we all have different restore/colour methods and skills.