Black & White with 1 colored item?

[Barnum]

I am able to change my photo from color to B&W okay. How then do I take one item and change it back to it's color. i.e., I have a photo of my wife wearing a hat. I want to make the photo B&W, but have the hat remain yellow.

I tried the magnetic lasso and changed the color to yellow, but it was all encompassing, and did now show any textures, wrinkles, etc... I want the original color and textures.

[Jeff Perry]

Barnum, there are a number of ways, here is the simplest to understand and accomplish.


BEFORE converting the image (Background Layer) to B/W, duplicate it by CTRL+J or dragging the layer up to the create new layer icon at the top of the panel.

Now you should have two identical layers.

Convert the top layer to B/W.

Select your eraser tool, adjust the size and shape (small soft edge brushes work best), Zoom in and erase the portion of the top B/W layer to expose the color portion below. If you make a mistake just UNDO to step backwards and try again.

This is a destructive method built is simple and works for people not familiar/comfortable with masks and blend modes which allow the same to be done non-destructively.

When done, you can Flatten the multi-layer image into a single layer which make everything permanent and then Save AS with a new file name to preserve the orginal color version you opened originally.

Jeff

[drapeman]

A fast way that I do it is to make a selection of the hat, do an inverse, click on enhance, click on change to b/w and there you have it, your hat is in color and the background is b/w.

[Tina_B]

Here is anothe method . Always more than on way to get it done it Elements
Open your photo and duplicate the photo so you will not be working on the original.
Then ctrl j to make a new layer copy. You should have two layers open just the same.
Now having the top layer highlighted . In the layers palet you will see a little circle that is half black and half white. Click on that and select Hue Saturation. Move the Saturation slider all the way left and your photo will go to black and white.
Make sure the color black is selected and choose a brush , I like to use just a basic round brush and a zise that is not to large so I can get in and around the edges.
You can just paint away the black and white with the brush to let the color show thorugh. If you make a mistake and go to far just switch the color to white and paint over the mistake.
I have found this to be easy because I can correct the mistakes easily.
Good Luck
Tina B

[jjvera00]

Here is another way:

1) Open your picture.
2) Click on Create Adjustment Layer (little half black/half white circle in your Layers Pallette). Select Hue/Saturation.
3) Slide the Saturation Layer to the left to a value of -100. Click OK. Your photo should be Black/White now. This created a Hue/Saturation Layer w/ a Layer Mask.
4) Select your Layer Mask. This is the white box next to the Hue/Saturation Layer icon and small brackets will be around the layer mask icon when selected.
5) Select Black as your Forground color, paint what you want to NOT be Black/White (ie have Color). If you make a mistake, switch your foreground color to White and paint what you want Black/White again.

Hope this helps.

Edit: Saw that TinaB posted the same thing. Guess she is a faster typer than me.

[Barnum]

Got as far and Step 4, and then got stymied. Guess I do not know what the white box is next to hue and saturation? Can you try to explain one more time? I really appreciate all your help.

[drapeman]

If you want to save time and a lot of steps, try my method.
Make a copy of your original and highlite the backup copy.
Use the quick selection tool and select the hat.
Go to select, click on inverse.
Go to enhance, click on convert to black & white, click OK
Do a control D to get rid of the marching ants.
Do a save as if you're satisfied.
This is the fast way a non expert (like me) who has problems following the experts way of doing things that never seem to work for me.

[Tina_B]

the white box next to the hue/sat is the layer mask. Just highlight that whole layer. This is the layer you will be painting on with the brush. It sounds confusing but really easy. With that layer selected just select a brush from the tools and start to bursh away the the black and white layer. (the layer mask) you will see on the layer mask where you have painted to let the color show.

Tina B

[jjvera00]

Barnum

I know that the use of Layers and Layer Mask may seem a bit difficult or confusing, but they are a great way to enhance your photos. Plus if you make a mistake on the layer mask, all you have to do is paint over your mistake with black or white rather than press undo using other methods.

[Deadparrot]

This is the white box next to hue/saturation. Make sure it has the little frame around it. That means that box is the one you're painting in.

[Barnum]

Hey Everyone....finally got it!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you....I appreciate it. Now I am busy thinking of what photos I can experiment with.

[Tina_B]

I am glad you got it. If you toss out a question there are usually several answers for it. Glad we all could help.
Tina B