PSE Black/White Photo with Color Accent

[Frogger0706]

Please Help!!

I have looked all over the web (apparently in the wrong areas) for a way to take a color photo in PSE and make it black/white then accent a certain area back to the original color. For example: Take a photo of a person, make it black and white, and then make the eyes their natural color again. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks a bunch.

[nkeevers]

I am assuming you mean selective coloring? If so, here's what I do.
1. Control J the image
2. Convert to black and white
3. Add a layer mask - I use Grant's tools
4. Click on the white layer box to the right of the picture
5. Make sure the default colors are black foreground/white background
6. Take a basic brush and I just brush the color back on where I want it.

Hope this helps and is what you mean by your question.

[Kathleen]

Another explanation that is basically the same as Norma's, but a slight different option.

You need two layers of the photo you want (duplicate your layer). One of the photos needs to be converted to black and white (either use built in PSE, or something like Virtual Photographer (http://www.optikvervelabs.com/) ) . In your layers palette, you want the black and white layer on top, and the color layer on the bottom. On the black and white layer, use your eraser to erase the part you want to show through. Experiment with eraser size, opacity and hardness.

Think of it this way ... if you had two copies of the photo printed (one color, one black and white). Cut a hole (this is equivalent to the digital eraser) in the black and white photo and stack it on top of the color photo. You now see mostly the black and white image, with just a part of the color photo showing through.

Make sense?

~ Kathleen

[nkeevers]

Thanks Kathleen...I've done it that way too! They will both work.

[jenniferp417]

There's another method I found - I've used it and I rather like it:

http://www.graphic-design.com/Photoshop/paint_to_gray/index.html

I used the "paint away the color" portion.

[Marriedin79]

Ha ha ha ... love your avatar, Jennifer!

[jenniferp417]

Thank you! I saved it in a folder on my computer at least a year ago. I needed something here that was a little different than the smiley face I usually use... the kitty was perfect.

I guess I need to do some self-portraits. I have NO photos of myself more recent than my 2004 wedding!

[Vallie]

Thanks Jennifer for your method, I usually use the mask method but was really happy with this one! So I made an avatar. Thanks. :tup:

[Frogger0706]

Thanks for everyone's posts! After some help I finally narrowed it down to steps I can remember.

1. Place photo- make sure it is the correct colors and doesn't need to be edited
2. Make a duplicate (right click on thumbnail in the layers palette)
3. Make top layer gray scale (ctrl-alt-B) (adjust color levels if necessary)
4. Insert adjustment layer (choose layer tab, then new adjustment layer, then levels, then press ok twice)
5. Move the adjustment layer in between the two photos (click and drag)
6. Hold alt and place mouse on the line between the B/W photo and the adjustment layer (this will link the layers together and a small symbol will appear on the left of your B/W photo)
7. Make sure the layer mask thumbnail is selected in the layer menu
8. Have black as the main color on you color selection area (left hand side of screen bottom of the tools palette)
9. Select the drawing tool and appropriate size
10. Draw over the section that you would like colorized

I hope that helps someone!!! Have a good evening everyone.

[boxerdogorama]

I forgot where I first saw this tutorial...but I had forgot how to do this...noone on any of my other help sites seemed to understand what I was wanting to know. The other selective color techniques worked, I just like the control that this one gives me! You know returning parts accidently colored back to black and white! I am extactic to have found this before I shoot my first wedding this week!! :love2: :applause: :yippee: :party:

[shazzt]

Here is another method that uses the Gradient Map adjustment layer:
Selective Colour in PSE (http://lifeofscraps.blogspot.com/2007/11/selective-colour-in-pse.html)

[sanra]

http://www.pcworld.com/article/138288/make_your_photos_pop_with_color.html

I don't know if this helps but thought I would send it. :pumpkin2::pumpkin2:

[blakkbeauty]

I agree with Shazz this site helped be out so much with the selective coloring.
http://lifeofscraps.blogspot.com/2007/11/selective-colour-in-pse.html