3 Replies Latest reply: Nov 30, 2012 4:39 AM by artist help RSS

    Color in black and white picture????

    idolh Community Member

      I am a beginner. I am looking at different progams to see which one suits me better and easy to work with. So far adobe isn't easy at all. Is there a way to take a black and white photo and make one thing in the photo in color? I have elements 11.

        • 1. Re: Color in black and white picture????
          Kendall Plant Employee Hosts

          Hi there! You’ve posted your question in a forum that is for beginners trying to learn the basics of Photoshop.  I'm moving your question to the Photoshop Elements forum for specialized attention to your situation.

          • 2. Re: Color in black and white picture????
            99jon Community Member

             

            You need to duplicate your color photo.

             

            1. Open your color photo in PSE10 Full Edit (A raw photo will open in camera raw to click the open image button too send it to the PSE interface)

            2. On the Top menu click Layer >>Duplicate Layer >>OK

            3. On the top menu click Enhance >>Convert to Black & White >>OK

            4. If you can’t see the layers pallet to the right click Window >>Layers

            5. At the bottom of the layers pallet click add layer mask (the icon with a small circle)

            6. Make sure your foreground color is set to black then select the brush tool

            7. Click the mouse over the area where you wish to reveal color and use like an eraser to reveal the background below

            8. To correct errors switch the foreground color to white, then switch back to black and continue

            9. Save as PSD to preserve your layers and if you wish make a jpeg copy from the PSD file using File >> Save As

            N.B. if your brush is too big or too small you can use the square bracket keys to adjust the size up or down.

            The smart brush tool has black & white options but it does involve making selections which can be more tricky than using the ordinary brush.

            • 3. Re: Color in black and white picture????
              artist help Community Member

              Will your camera do it for you when you take the photo? I recently found an old video where I'd experimented with that facility (it was all b/w except for any blue item it saw) - so I'm sure they can do it for photos.

               

              Anything for an easy life!