[tarcher1216]

Hello all I'm new to this forum and feel like a kid in a candy store. I have to admit I found this forum while at work the other day and did not get any work done that afternoon about 4 hours just reading the different forums on here.

Anyway here is what I'm asking help on. Lets say I have a Color photo of my wife as a Bride. and I change it to black and white in Elements 4 (I do have elements 6 but not use to it yet.) Now I want to bring back the original color of the flowers she is holding. Please note I mentioned the original color of the flowers, I do not want to paint the color. My questions is this... What step by step method can I use to do this? I have tried most everything but can't seem to fine the correct method. Perhaps its the way I changed the color photo to black and White I don't know. Please help . I want to surprise my wife for Christmas.

Thank you in advance for your comments and suggestions.

[Dabhand16]

Welcome to Pixalo Tarcher

The easiest way to do what you want - the technique is called selective colouring - is by using layers.

I don't think elements has the layer masks feature, but you can get the same effect with the eraser tool.

Duplicate the layer that you will find in the layers palette and convert this layer into mono. Using the eraser tool, erase the mono layer where you want the colour to show. select the brush size to suit your image, and if you go wrong use the ctrl+Z to undo the last bit you did. Using this method, I suggest you do it in small steps, as if you have to use the undo, and you have done everything in one go, you will go back a long way!

With layer masks you can not only erase bits you don't want, but also put them back if you make an error, by painting with either black or white in the layer mask. This makes the process even easier, but I'm sure elements 4 does not have layer masks - don't know about Elements 6 though.

When you have completed the job, flatten the image and 'save as' a different file name to preserve your original image.

[tarcher1216]

Thank you Thank you Thank you Graham you saved the day.. It worked

[j sotelo]

Good Job Graham

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by tarcher1216

Thank you Thank you Thank you Graham you saved the day.. It worked

[WOODY]

NICE ONE GRAHAM, WELL DONE VERY WELL EXPLAINED

[Lone Buggin]

Thanks Graham, I was also wondering how to do that. I just never remembered to ask.

[Bill too]

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

Welcome to Pixalo Tarcher

The easiest way to do what you want - the technique is called selective colouring - is by using layers.

I don't think elements has the layer masks feature, but you can get the same effect with the eraser tool.

Although Elements doesn't have layermasks for images it does have them for adjustment layers and it is possible to use an adjustment layer mask as if it were the layer mask for an image.

The procedure is to make a copy of the image. Then create an Levels adjustment layer below it.
With the copy of the image selected click on Layer>Group with Previous (or press control g)
This will group the image layer and the Levels adjustment layer. The levels adjustment layer mask can then be used as if it were the layer mask for the copy of the image.

See next posting for a picture.

[Bill too]

The thumbnail for the copy of the image (Background copy) is indented and a little arrow points to the levels adjustment layer below. This indicates that they are grouped. The only parts of the top image that will be seen are the bits that are black in the layer mask.

To be continued

[Bill too]

Correction The only bits of the top image that will be seen are the bits in WHITE.
The complete layers pallet from the top.
A copy of the image, grouped with
A levels adjustment layer, over
A gradient adjustment layer to make the background mono, over
The original image.

The mask can be seen on the levels adjustment layer.

[Bill too]

The final image.

[GainfulShrimp]

I think you get better results if you use the image itself to create the mask. On Bill's example, you can see grey edges to the flower where the mask has slightly missed the edge of the petals.

If you did a channels mixer mono conversion of the original, you could boost the red flower and cut down the green foliage and then boost the contrast massively to get a perfect mask. At least I think that would work!

I will try this out myself when I have time and, if it works, write a tutorial...

[fionaB]

you can also use the history brush to paint back the original after conversion to mono. or if it doesnt have the history brush just duplicate the layer and convert the top layer to mono then use th eraser to take out the mono and reveal the colour underneath.

Fi

oops sorry graham didint realise u had covered the eraser bit..........that wil teach me to scan read!

[Bill too]

Originally Posted by GainfulShrimp

I think you get better results if you use the image itself to create the mask. On Bill's example, you can see grey edges to the flower where the mask has slightly missed the edge of the petals.

If you did a channels mixer mono conversion of the original, you could boost the red flower and cut down the green foliage and then boost the contrast massively to get a perfect mask. At least I think that would work! ...

As you say it is possible to do a lot better selecting a mask. I rather rushed The mask as I was interested in just showing how to improvise a layer mask in response to Dabhand’s uncertainty about what could be done in Elements.

As regards creating the mask, there is another red flower in contact with the one chosen.
Anyway Elements doesn’t have channel mixer it would have to be done another way within Elements.

I have just tried it using a levels adjustment layer to get rid of the blue and the green and then boosted the contrast with a brightness/contrast adjustment layer.
The result is a red flower on a black background. The overlap with the other flower still needed to be sorted but it does produce a first class mask and the two adjustment layers can be dispensed with after.

That is great and quick, I would not have thought of doing it that way without your suggestion. Thanks Bill.

[tarcher1216]

Wow Like I said in my first post I feel like a kid in a candy store.. Im getting great feedback. Thank you all so much for your help, comments and such, Being a newbie is stressfull enough but you make me feel welcome and that's a major plus in my book !

Thanks again Happy Holidays !