Digital Photography » Photo Effects

Color an Object After Changing to Black and White

How to color part of a photo after it has been converted to a black and white photo for remarkable results.

1. First, we will open our photo and click on "Ctrl+J" to duplicate the layer of the photo we want to work with.

2. Now you want to convert the picture to Monochrome. You could use the Image > Adjustments > Channel Mixer and check the "Monochrome" box, but we will use the "Desaturate Tool" by typing "Control+Shift+U" in this tutorial.

3. Next, you want to click on Layer > Add Layer Mask > Reveal All which will allow you to color your photo.

4. Select the "Brush Tool and choose Black as a foreground color. Your brush size will depend on the area you are about to paint, but make sure to set the hardness to 100%. Brush the area of the photo you want to reveal in color and select smaller brush sizes when you get close to the edges. If you make a mistake, change the color to white and paint over the mistake to return that part to black and white again.

5. You finished photo should look similar to the one below.

Last update: 2007-05-17 18:17
Author: Gary Logsdon
Revision: 1.0

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