Selective Color in B&W- how to ?

[guitarbug]

I have never given this a try, to select a part of an image in a photo then have that be colored and the rest B&W. Is there anyone out ther that can lay out some simple steps in CS2 on how to do this. I am not very good with layers, so I need to have it layed out step by step! If anyone could do this for me I would be very greatful.

[Texentric]

If you use an adjustment layer, like Hue/Saturation or the channel mixer, for the conversion, just paint black on the mask over the part you don't want in B&W.

[HotHolly]

You could do what Jorge said or a bunch of other options. If you dont like layer masks, you can duplicate the layer. Convert to B&W (use channel mixer or something easy). Next you can use the magnetic lasso to select the area. Then erase down a level. Lots of people that are new to selective color use that method. If you want a softer edge - right click on the area and select feather (B4 you erase) and set it to something that appeals to you. You can also vary the depth of the color - do full color or a partial bleedthrough, by adjusting the opacity on the eraser. Thats one baby method.

[guitarbug]

Thanks, I will try both.

[Trinitee]

Thanks for the tips too. Been trying out new stuff like this I get everthing like I want; but the edges are where I'm having issues.. I seem not to have study enough hand to "paint" staying in the "lines" and when I do it's harsh and not transitionally blended.

I'll post what I came up with, maybe you guys can tell me where and what I'm doing wrong?

[DeLeon]

one tip, let off of the mouse button every now and then. That way if you do mess up or go "out of bounds" you can press ctrl+z to undo what you just did. I have forgotten to let off of the mouse and had to undo the entire thing.

[Gordeez]

The "Easy" way I do it is like this.
#1: open your Photo (Duhh!!)
#2: Create a Duplicate Layer
#3: convert it to Black and White
#4: Switch to a Brush, and set your Foreground Color to black.
#5: start brushing over the areas you want the color to re-appear.
#6: If you step out of your "line" switch the Foreground color
back to white and repaint it in.
#7: When done, Merge all Layers, and there ya go.

Here's an example...

[guitarbug]

Thanks Mikal & Chris!

[Debbi]

Hey, Chris. Ask me about this tomorow at Holly's workshop. Much easier than you think.

[guitarbug]

Thanks Debbi, I was just trying to do this and I need help bad! I just don't get layers. I need someone to show me how to do this along with working with layers. I will talk to you tomorrow about this, thanks! (I think I need to take the next PS workshop)

[Debbi]

OK. I'll bring my laptop. It'll take about 5 minutes to show you and you will go, "Oooohhh!". I didn't get layers and masks until I bought Tricoast's actions and tutorial DVD. One of the videos is totally on layers and masks.

[Daylon]

Here's what I do:

1) Layer ---> New Layer via Copy
2) Image--> adjustments --> hue/saturation - take saturation down to -85% or so
3) Eraser - erase whatever you want in color - switch back and forth between layers using the "eye" icon in the Layers window to see what you're doing. I don't desaturate all the way so I can still see a hint of color in the image.
4) once you like what you see, desaturate layer 1 to -100%
5) flatten image
6) save

D.

[guitarbug]

Awesome Debbi! Thanks Daylon. I think with a little hands on from Debbi I may get it!