Colorize images with Neural Filters

Last updated on Oct 4, 2026

Add realistic colors to black-and-white photos using the Colorize Neural Filter.

Use color pins to adjust specific areas for better accuracy.

  • Use images with good contrast and proper exposure.
  • Avoid faded, overexposed, or underexposed photos.
  • Convert your image to grayscale or black-and-white.

Enable the Colorize filter

Select Filter > Neural Filters from the menu bar.

In the Neural Filters panel, locate the Colorize filter under the Beta filters section.

If using the filter for the first time, select the cloud icon next to the filter name to download it from Adobe servers.

Enable the Colorize filter by toggling the switch next to the filter name.

The filter automatically applies colors and displays a preview with adjustment options.

Adjust automatic colorization

In the Neural Filters panel, adjust the color balance sliders to modify the overall tone and saturation of the colorized image.

Select the preview mode icon in the lower left corner of the preview gallery to toggle between before and after views.

Add custom color focal points

Below the image preview, select the Color Picker and choose your desired color.

Select a location in the preview image where you want to apply the chosen color. This places a pin at that location and fills the surrounding area with the selected color.

To edit an existing pin, select it and choose a new color from the Color Picker. To reposition a pin, drag it to a different location.

To duplicate a color pin, hold Alt (Windows) or Option (macOS) and drag an existing pin to a new location.

Continue adding and adjusting pins until you achieve your desired colorization.

Select an output method from the Output menu.

Apply the colorization

From the Output dropdown menu at the bottom of the Neural Filters panel, select your preferred option: Current Layer, Duplicate Layer, Duplicate Layer Masked, New Layer, or Smart Filter.

Select OK to apply the colorization to your image.

Your colorized image appears in your Photoshop document based on your selected output method. For more information about Neural Filters capabilities and other AI-powered editing tools, see Overview of Neural Filters.

Tip

Smart Filter output keeps adjustments non-destructive and editable.