Partial Greyscale Images...

[Orbster]

Hi all, I am currently going through "Photoshop CS4 for Dummies" and I am trying out a few new things.

One of the techniques I want to learn is is the partially greyed out images you see EVERYWHERE these days.

In the book it tells you how to do it using the history brush, it says;

Open a copy of a photograph, use the B/W adjustment to make it appear greyscale, click on the step immediately prior in the history panel and then use the history brush over the parts of the image you wish to re-colour.

I have followed these instructions to the letter and it's not working.

Am I missing some small detail?

[chris-p]

Do you mean selective saturation? Something like this:



If so, thats not how I'd do it. Turn the image into black and white however you prefer (desaturate, B&W etc) just make sure you use an adjustment layer to do it. The layer should have a layer mask which is white. You can use a black brush on that adjustment layer and paint the colours back in where you want. Switch back to a white brush and you can paint the black and white back in.

[Orbster]

That's the sort of thing yes.

I'll try your method but it's very frustrating indeed when you've followed step by step instructions to the letter (or so you think) and it's not working.

Thanks.

[Orbster]

Ok, I have now tried this and the black brush is not doing anything?

[chris-p]

Hmm. Quick step by step guide:

Create a saturation adjustment layer and reduce the saturation to zero
It should have a layer mask. If it doesn't, add one.
This layer mask should be white, if it's not, fill it with white.
Select a black brush and make sure you have the hue/saturation layer selected
When you paint black onto the picture you should get the colour come through underneath. You should also see the black you've painted showing up on the layer mask.

Normal mistakes are not having a layer mask or not selecting the adjustment layer.

[GeoffWessex]

Also, even with the Hue/Saturation Adjustment layer active, you have to make sure the Layer Mask itself is active - it will have a double border on it. Make sure the Brush is in Normal mode (in Tool Options bar at the top).

[chris-p]

Oh, yeah. Geoff is right there.

It is annoying that what the book says doesn't work. I've never tried it and don't think I've ever used the history brush but, when I get 5 minutes (busy weekend) I'll try it out. It seems logical that it should work. Like I said above, and Geoff has also mentioned, you have to be sure you're painting the black (or the history brush) onto exactly the right thing.

[Orbster]

Ok thanks guys, I'll give it a go when I too get 5 minutes...busy day for me also.

Watch this space.