BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Tips on Organizing Photos

Photography Question 

Sarah J. Rogers
 

B&W with Color


I have noticed some interesting pictures that are B/W with a part of the picture being in color. I have noticed the term hand-painted too. I work with PS7. Could someone tell me how this effect is achieved?


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June 17, 2004

 

John Wright
  It's really not that difficult ... In PS, you can copy the layer to a new layer. Desaturate the copied layer. Then, using the history brush, bring back the color of the items you want to have colored ... I'm reasonably certain that there are other ways to do it, but this seemed to be the easiest to me ...


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June 17, 2004

 

Sarah J. Rogers
  Ok. I figured that out. Not too hard really. Now what about doing the same thing but with different colors? Like instead of the original colors you use other colors to paint it.


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June 18, 2004

 

Sarah J. Rogers
 
 
  Example
Example

Sarah J. Rogers

 
 
Here is an example of something I would like to learn how to do.


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June 18, 2004

 

John Wright
  Sarah,
The example you post looks to be done the same way. The only difference is that the photo was sepia toned, then the layer was copied and changed to grey tone. Then the history brush was applied. At least that is my best guess. There is pretty much no limit to what you could do with this same technique... :-)


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June 18, 2004

 

Amanda E. Radovic
 
 
 
Another way is to follow the above directions by duplicating the background layer. Then using the paintbrush (as opposed to the history brush) choose a colour from your swatches (note that if you click on the arrow on the top left hand corner it brings drop down menu with different swatch menus which you can switch between - they have names like PANETONE METALLIC etc). I set the opacity of the brush to about 40% and paint away!! You can then adjust the opacity of the layer for more control on just how saturated or washed out you want the colour to be. The attached file has been done this way - the painting was actually black, not mauve and pink!!


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June 22, 2004

 
- Greg McCroskery

BetterPhoto Member
Contact Greg McCroskery
Greg McCroskery's Gallery
  Sarah,
Another way to accomplish this effect is to simply use you 'magic wand' selection tool to select the area you want colored. then invert your selection and desaturate. In my wesite gallery with engagement/wedding images I have an image of a flower girl holding her basket full of rose petals that was done this way.
God Bless,
Greg


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June 22, 2004

 

Fazal Khan
  Questions: Where would you get a B&W with Color image develop into an 8x10? Can an ordinary place like Sams or Target handle this? Would you be happy with the results? How much should you expect to pay for good results?


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February 02, 2005

 

Jeffrey L. Spayd
  I found an awesome product that allows you to colorize B&W photos. It is called "Black magic". I had an old photo of my Grandmother taken in the 20's. I was able to change the colors of several articles in the photos. Truley amazing and at a cost of $50.00 for the standard software-not bad. Let me know. They do allow you to dowwnload a trail version. Do a google search and it should locate it for you. Good luck.


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February 08, 2005

 
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