 Michael E. Quintana |
Adding Color to B&W Photos Will someone explain to me how to add color to specific items in a B&W photo?? Many thanks!!
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Deb Holmes-Hatfield |
Hi Micheal, I need a little more info and I will try to help you. Most selective coloring is done by selecting area's of a color photo, and removing the color from all but the selected area, it is a little harder to add color back to area's of a B&W image.What type of photo editing software do you use? Deb
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John P. Sandstedt |
You need to select the items to which you want to add the color. This can be done in Photoshop/Photoshop Elements using the Magic Wand or any of the Lasso Tools. Once selected, you can use the Paint Brush or, even, the Fill Tool if more appropriate. (See "Reflection" in my Gallery.) Be sure you use all the adjustment capabilities (basically called Opacity Settings). Once you're done "colorizing," you may find there is too sharp a demarcation between the color you added and the surrounding areas. You can use the Blur or Smudge Tool to smooth the transition. You can also add color using the Clone Tool, taking color from an area of the "current" image or from another you've uploaded. Have fun.
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Lewis Kemper |
There are several ways to do what you ask. I teach them in my Photographer's Toolbox for Photoshop®: Toolbox #2 class. You don't want to do what was mentioned above because the "paint" will cover the details of your image. But here is quick tip if you open a B&W image and make sure it is in RGB and not grayscale you can select the colors you wish to paint with and set you brushes Blend Mode to color and then paint. This way the details will be preserved.
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Steve Mescha |
Hi, Michael. I have to add my 2 cents worth to this :-) FIRST create a new blank layer over your image. This will give you much more flexibility. Now you can paint on the new layer rather than the image. This will allow you to erase paint without erasing the image. Try all kinds of blending modes and opacities until you get what you want.
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Margie Hurwich |
All, is this what is called "hand coloring"?
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Roy Blinston |
I have 2 methods... (1) Create a new blank layer; change the opacity of this layer to about 50% and starting painting, but use a large soft edge brush (so no sharp edges of colour). When finished modify the opacity of this layer to create the dreamy weak effect, then flatten and save. However, I prefer my 2nd method which is to paint straight onto the picture but making sure the brush is large and soft edged and "overlay colour" is selected. This 2nd method is not for the feint hearted as it's harder to correct any mistakes (but editing the History can fix obvious runovers etc). The 2nd method builds the colour with each brush stroke so it resembles the old fashioned hand-colouring effects... the more you brush, the more depth/strength of colour you get (as in the real world). Try not to be too neat when brushing as this can make the pic look wrong. Be adventurous and free flowing. Don't be afraid to make some mistakes, which give it a more human look.
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Contessa D. Wolverton |
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Rebecca A. Steed |
Hi Micheal, I'm not too swift in Photoshop, but if you are shooting digital and you would like to convert the image to B&W save for one select area with color, all you have to do is select the area with the magic wand, right click and copy via layer, then select the background and take down the saturation levels. This will leave your layer you copied still in color. I'm assuming you can do this with a color image scanned into your computer too, but if you are beginning with B&W, I'm sure the suggestions made by others will be your answer.
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Justin G. |
simple. make a new blank layer above and paint with the desired color and change the blending mode to either Color or Soft Light. both will give you similiar but different results. tweek opacities.
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Terry R. Hatfield |
You Have To Be Thoroughly Confused By Now Michael!LOL!!
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Alisha L. Ekstrom |
Well just about like anything everyone has there own way of doing things...here is my 2 cents:):) I use PS7.0 & I like using the history brush tool. It is the fastest & easiest for me & I use it all the time. Then once I've brought the color back in a rose or whatever I want color in then I decrease the opacity to give me the faded colors I like. Good luck with whichever way is easiest for you!!! Alisha
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Sharon Day |
It's interesting to see all the different ways to do this. What I like to do is just desaturate the image and use the history brush to bring back the color. I have never thought to decrease the opacity for faded colors. Time to go try it out :).
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Alisha L. Ekstrom |
Sharon....I also should of said that to do the faded color look you have to either first make a copy of your layer & then use your history brush & then decrease the opacity OR you can just desaturate your image & THEN use the history brush & THEN if you're using PS7 under EDIT you'll see "FADE HISTORY BRUSH" & that'll also give you the faded color. Hope this makes sense:) Alisha
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Justin G. |
I was just under the impression that his original photo was B&W so the history brush would be not appicable in this situation. (if that is the case).
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chris thodey |
I read a great article in an Australian publication of Better Photography (Written by Nick Melidonis "Antique, Hand-Colouring and Toning Techniques" p100 issue 42 / 2006) I'll walk you through generally the parts relevant to you but if you can find a copy on the net have a look Starting with a b+w image makes the tequnique more involved as with a colour image one can create a duplicate layer, reduce its opacity (giving a washed out look) and then selectively tint (or even just allow the original colours) parts of an image are to be highlighted (main subject) Just using the a b+w image select the parts to apply the tinting (it's easier than trying to colour inside the lines - i'm a primary school failure anyway) then use a soft-edged brush and colour it in to the amound desired When tinting it is advisable to create a separate layer for each tinting action (AND NAME THIS LAYER!) as if adjustment is required (chances are you'll want to fix something up) this makes editing eg. in the article you see nick's image of a man sitting his layers are lined up (from bottom to top - confusing way to tell you I know) background (locked, b+w) walls (tinted a sepia colour) skin (hands and face, dare I say it, skin colour) apron (washed out green) shoes.. he also reccomends using the colour swtches in photoshop cheers mate, good luck with it
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