[JWP]

have a photo of the inside of a hot air balloon. Now I need to change the colour of the balloon, how do I do it in photoshop cs2? But keeping all the detail?

[fionaB]

there are a number of ways........ create a new layer, choose the colour and paint it on the areas u want to change, then change the blend mode to color ( american spelling) and then u can further fine tune the colour with the opacity slider.

Fi

[Dabhand16]

Not a PS expert , but I think there are several ways you could do this. Using the eye-droppers in the hue/sat dialoge might be a good starting point, but I can't remember exactly how. It was on a video lesson on the DP coverdisc back in October-ish 2006. You can always make a selection of the area in a new layer and then use the H & S sliders in that.

Someone who knows better will rescue us soon!

[Markulous]

Chuck it in the gallery, we'll all have a go and you can pick the best result and copy how we did it!

[JWP]

sorry how do i post it in the gallery?

[Markulous]

Go to Gallery and using Resizing Pictures for Pixalo, upload shot into the Gallery

[Rob Barron]

Easiest way for a balloon which has clearly defined bands or blocks of color is to use the 'Color Replacement' tool. This can be find in IMAGE > ADJUSTMENT > REPLACE COLOR.

Once there, first set the slider to about middle. Now using the eyedropper (it is selected by default) click on a block of colour. Look at the black and white selection image in the window to see if all the block has been selected. If it is not getting all of it, move the slider to the right (Fuzziness slider) and if it is selecting other areas you don't want, move the slider to the left. You can also use the ADD tool to add further sections of colour that you want to change to a single new colour.

Underneath you will see three sliders and a box of colour showing the colour you are going to change to. At first it looks like the colour you have selected but start by moving the Hue slider and this will change to other colours. Using Hue and the other sliders, choose the colour you want.

Hit OK and bingo, your blue is green .... or whatever you chose

Cheers,
Rob

[sillyconguru]

I'd use a Hue/Saturation layer (to change to colour) and add a layer mask (to control what area of the image is altered).

[Rob Barron]

But why use a layer mask if it is not necessary? The Replace Color tool gives you the same adjustments as you get with the hue/Sat tool but also does the selection for you.

By the way, if you have a complex image and find too much is being selected, you can easily make a rough selection around the area containing the colour you want to replace and then use the replace tool and it will just select from within your previous selection

Cheers,
Rob

[Markulous]

Originally Posted by Rob Barron

But why use a layer mask if it is not necessary? The Replace Color tool gives you the same adjustments as you get with the hue/Sat tool but also does the selection for you.

Must admit that I've never successfully used the Replace Color tool - always found that the resultant colour is very flat as it lacks any tonal range. Probably as I go for too large an area (fuzziness too high) but can't be bothered with the required multiple operations!

[sillyconguru]

Originally Posted by Rob Barron

But why use a layer mask if it is not necessary? The Replace Color tool gives you the same adjustments as you get with the hue/Sat tool but also does the selection for you.

Why use a layer mask? Because the replace colour tool is rubbish, it's way too basic.

[JWP]

thank you for all your help, i am having fun playing with photoshop

[Rob Barron]

Replace color is too basic? Sorry i am not with you. It has the same three adjustments that the hue/sat tool has. The only difference is that it doesn't adjust the different colour channels separately because it wouldn't be necessary when changing a single colour.

I will grant you that invariably when using this tool you need to up the saturation slider as the colour will usually appear faded at first. But simple adjustments with the sliders will soon give you the colour you need. Bear in mind you can directly select the colour as well simply by clicking on the colour swatch and sampling it from the colour chart.

Anyway, each to their own. My students are always encouraged to try out different methods and go with what they feel most comfortable with as the beauty of PS is that there is always more than one way to do something. I start by showing them the simplest ways of doing things, even though they might like the accuracy and control of more complex methods because they become more comfortable and confident more quickly. That leads to them being ready to be more adventurous later on.

I still hold that for someone starting out in Photoshop as JWP is here, layer masks are best saved for 'round two' so to speak. I am sure he will have enjoyed seeing that he has a choice rather than having to find 'the right way' to do things

Cheers,
Rob