I need help!!!!!

[RJAS722]

I am a new user of Photoshop. I would like to do the black and white with selective color to a photo, but without using a paintbrush, etc. Is there anyway you can do it by just adjusting the hue/saturation or opacity so that just certain colors within the photo stick out? I want it to look more like this than having just one object colorized. It's the third picture of the flowers down that says black and white layer applied at 77% opacity.
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=6ciexx3
Thanks you so much for any help!!!

[AngelicKim]

Hello and welcome, Yes you can do this by adjusting the hur/sat levels. Duplicate your image, Ctrl J. On the copy, Ctrl U and adjust Sat. slider down to get the b&w effect you want. Click Ok. Then simply use the eraser tool to erase the areas where you want the color to show through.

[RobertSchuldenfrei]

Hi and Welcome,

This Forum is the friendliest place on the web. If it is the manual dexterity thing that you do not like about brushes, the eraser tool is not going to be too helpful. I would duplicate the image, as Kim suggested, and convert to B&W. Then I would use one of the selection tools on the colored layer, return to the B&W layer, and Delete. Depending on the image this is fast, efficient, and requires the minimum of hand eye coordination (not my long suit):). Write back and tell us if this works for you.

Cheers,

Bob

[AngelicKim]

Bob, I am sorry and do not mean to be argumentative here but RJAS722 stated that he/she is new to Photoshop. Making selections and switching back and forth in the layers to erase parts is more time consuming and difficult that a simple eraser tool with a default round brush playing with the size as needed. An image would have to be pretty plain to do your way quickly and get a good selection. Also it would depend on which selection tool is being used as to whether or not the hand coordination thing is a factor. When I first came to this forum as someone who had no clue how to use Elements this was one of the first things they taught me to do easily and quickly.

As I said, I do not mean to be argumentative but simply point out that your method could be harder for a new Photoshop user.

[GaryK]

From the looks of the third picture down and description, it seems they just did a b/w layer on top and adjusted the opacity.:confused:

Or at the very least a hue/sat adj. layer and adjusted the opacity of that.

[winwintoo]

Hi, I just downloaded the image and did exactly what the captions said and it worked perfectly.

If you're new to Photoshop, you would do well to learn about masks and painting with "black" and "white" - I know it's confusing at first, but learning to paint with b/w on the layer masks will save you many hours of work in the long run.

Sure you can use the eraser tool, but remember that it's a "destructive" tool and once something is erased, you can selectively bring it back. Using the b/w painting method, is non-destructive and if you've masked too much, you can easily unmask it again using the opposite color.

If you want more info, let me know, Margaret

[cats4jan]

I just have to agree with winwintoo

I have been using PSE4 for 9 months and just a couple of months ago ventured into masks.

I sure wish I had tried them earlier.

At first, they were a little difficult to understand, but once you get the hang of it - they are alot of fun.

Here's my first project with masks

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1IXy85tTcwp3Wa9SGWB048oYc7WM0_thumb.gif (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1IXy85tTcwp3Wa9SGWB048oYc7WM0)

I merely positioned my car photo under my ocean photo and started erasing and adding back in - until I had what I wanted.

I like that when you make a mistake and erase too much - you just "paint" it back on.

[AngelicKim]

I have been on the forum for 11 months and PET member for 10 months. I have not been able to grasp mask no matter how many times I tried until I watched Corey's new video the other day. If the OP has the time to learn the mask first I will definately agree that masking would be a great way to do what he/she is asking. Again, my original post was something quick and easy for a new user to acheive. Oh, did I say, I love the layer mask trick.;)

[jlwilm]

I have been a volunteer instructor at our local seniors centre and “teach” basic computer skills as well as Photoshop Elements.

Based on my experience in this, I have come to the conclusion that the best way to help a beginner is to generously apply the KISS principle – Keep it Simple Silly (there are other variations).

Beginners are operating in an information cloud and need to keep grounded. I stick to basics - (Layer, New Adjustment Layer, Levels) instead of telling them to use the half moon thingy.

I avoid keyboard shortcuts, etc. The point is to help them get there easily and not dazzle them with my brilliant skills. I do tell them there are other ways of achieving the same thing, but that is for later.

I think it is important to deliver the message that the recipient is most capable of understanding and growing with. This is usually a listening skill.

You can’t teach if you don’t listen! :)

[Chuck S.]

John, your pupils have a very astute professor! Great approach!!

:)

[msbrad]

Oh, I told myself ~"self" I shouldn't, I won't ... click anything in the 'reply' area ..(or go there) but I have... sorry guys.
I've read everything posted here twice:o (you seniors - know I can be slow)
BUT...my big mouth or typy fingers have gotten away from me.
PLEASE, follow the jlwilm and chuck s approach- go easy.

I have come so far, and believe it or not I do "teach" computer classes in an elementary school. My students are amazing....that is because , they have me - who is really "tech' clueless:), so it HAS to be taught so it can be successful when applied, (as I am a 'real teacher' who makes it real and then it can be carried on to another level in the near future..)

m
ps: in real life, I am a short -cut -a -holic...but would never do that to newbies.

[mom to 4]

Oh, NO!!! Michelle couldn't keep her fingers away from the keys!!!!! :D

In my humble opinion, I believe the best way to learn is slowly. I have always been a "building block" learner. That translates into: take small steps and build a project. Next step: add/try something new. A project doesn't have to be complicated to be good. Trying too many things at once may just get you frustrated. If you see something you like, as the person who did it how they did it. Look at one of the tutorials in the subscriber section and do it. Take notes while you do it so the next time it will be easier.

Ok, Michelle, that makes two of us that couldn't refrain from using the keyboard tonight!!!!:D;)

[msbrad]

Oh, Colleen, you know I love you:D
m

[AngelicKim]

Oh my, did I start this. RJAS722, so sorry to cause a hyjacking of your thread. There really is an answer of help for you here in several ways.

Michelle and Colleen, too funny. Just can't pry your fingers from the keys can we.

[mom to 4]

Did I hijack a thread??????? Sorry!!! BI !!!!!!

Kim: Nope, never!!!!!!

[SenorSlick]

Hi everyone, I have to agree here with Kim John and Chuck that keeping it simple is best for a beginner, heck simplicity works for me too. A person just starting with PSE would need some time to learn by trial error reading etc., before attempting complex steps, which can be frustrating and discouraging. Oh, RJAS722 welcome to the forum, and as you can see there are many here willing to help.
Harvey

[mom to 4]

Gheeze!!! I am an idiot!!! I forgot to say:

Welcome to the forum RJAS722!!! You're gonna love it here!!!

BI

[GaryK]

Colleen

I think we are going to have to limit you to 1 "BI" per thread.:D:D

[mom to 4]

People are going to be asking "what does BI mean???" I have already used it several times since I posted it here and now I am goinng to be flagged?????:eek: Oh, boy, it is like "Last Call" all over again!!!!:D

[RJAS722]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I will mess around with them in a bit.

No worries about hijacking either :)

I wish there was a photography/Photoshop class around here for beginners. I love taking pictures and would love it even more to learn about all the cool stuff you can do with them.

I went ahead and spent the money on a good camera (Canon Rebel xti) mainly for the purpose of photographing my children. I have 4, 2 boys ages 13 and 1 month and 2 girls ages 10 and 19 months.

When I have time, all I do is try to mess with the camera and Photoshop LOL Time is hard to come by right now though with the new baby. Right now I am typing with one hand.

I'll check back and let you know if I figured out what I am trying to achieve with my photos :D

[RJAS722]

Colleen, I tried to pick your user name, mom to 4 and it said it was taken:p I guess you're the one who got it LOL

BTW my name is Jenn. Thanks for the welcome.

[Chuck S.]

RJAS722: That's quite a brood! I admire you for having time for anything!

With respect to learning Photoshop, it's like eating an elephant.....

....best to do one bite at a time.

:)

[AngelicKim]

RJAS, this really is a friendly forum and very helpful. There are some great classes offered by this site whether you are a subscriber or not. If you are a subscriber there are over 200 tutorials and videos available that are really great too. If you get stuck on something and need help just ask.

And again welcome.

[mom to 4]

I hear ya!!! I have a canon Rebel XT. I love it. Personally, I think you will do just fine if you just take lots of photos. Once you look at them you will see where you need to improve (backgrounds, coloring, etc.) Look in peoples galleries and just yell for help when you need it. this is an extremely friendly forum. Lots of people willing to help. You will be fine.

New baby???? that baby will give you lots of practice time!!!!!;)

[jlwilm]

Well, we did get off topic didn’t we? :o

So, to return to the question at hand, Kim’s reply (second on the thread) is right on.

The B&W layer should be the one on top, and what you want to do is erase the parts of the top (B&W) image to let the bottom one show thru. I would suggest a soft edge eraser edge, but it depends on what look you are trying to achieve.

To select soft edge, click on the drop down arrow and look for one that is “fuzzy”. When you erase, there should be a gradual transition from B&W to colored.

If you need more help, get back to us and we will be glad to help out! :)

[mom to 4]

Just saw your post re: mom to 4!!! That's funny!!!! It has a double meaning for me. Yes, I have 4 children, ages 32, 18 and two 16 year olds (twins). My daughter (18) played HS basketball and her number was 24 so, I figured it fit, sorry!!!!

[RJAS722]

Okay, well I tried it the way Kim had said and this is what I got:

http://i15.tinypic.com/54drdd3.jpg

I can't figure out how to get rid of where I went out of the lines. But that what I go is the general idea.

When I took my daughter to have her pictures taken at Sears, I watched them when they did the color enhancements. They didn't do the eraser tool or anything, they just slid something and voila!

[AngelicKim]

Jenn, that looks really good. The one thing with the eraser is that you need to select different size brushes as you go into smaller areas. If you go out of the line area you want colored you have to undo it at that point. If there is a way to fix it at this point with the eraser I don't know what it is. Maybe someone else will. If you were familair with the layer mask mentioned by others in this thread fixing this at this point would be easier.

As having recently worked at Sears Portrait Studios, I can tell you that their selective coloring is simply what you showed in your original post. They merely reduce the saturation to make it look that way. They don't actually select anything. There program is actually done for them by Adobe. As a current Photographer for Olan Mills (temporary on an as needed basis) I can tell you that you won't see them do a selective coloring that way. They offer it if you ask but it is done the right way at the lab so you won't see the results until its done.

[AngelicKim]

Ok, I had to play and see if fixing the erased area was possible. If you have the image still as a .psd file where your two layers are intact you could do this.

Click on the b&w layer in the layers palette.
Click the ad adjustment layer icon (the circle that is half shaded next to the trash can above the layers) and in the drop menu go down to hue/saturation. When the adjustment box comes up slide the saturation down to -100 again. Click OK.
Now there should be two boxes in the layer paletter above your black & white layer.
Now select the eraser tool, make sure your foreground color is white and background is black and erase over the area where you went out of the line. This should do it. This process is the layer mask that we have mentioned.