* As usual, Expertscolumn does not support photos and I cannot put my link on the top part of the post. So, please drag to the bottom to get the link to view photos. You can see how the end result and some photos of the step as well.*
Today I'd like to share on How to turn black and white photos into colour photo. These 2 pictures are photos of my parents when they're young. It's the time where the tv is still showing in black and white, so are photos.........
There are no Magic pen to colour it. Why's that
we need to use adobe photoshop instead of just using paint to colour it? Firstly, if we use paint, there will be no shadow, no 3D look. Using the method I'm going to share here will help to remain the original shadow effect and everything, except for the colour. Secondly, why do I use this layer method instead of colouring it using brush? You may try to paint directly on the picture using soft brush , soft light and reduced opacity. However, direct painting might show uneven colour and the shadow might be covered, it'll be very unnatural. You may try it, then you'll know why this is the best way to get a colour photo.
When you're reading this, you might not know how. Don't worry, follow step by step. Don't read all only try. Open your Adobe photoshop and follow every step with me. Then you'll know how simple it really is.
Steps
1. I always start with the skin:
• Layer>new adjustment layer>curves
• Select red>pull up
• Select blue>pull down (Adjust to the colour that matches the skin colour)
2. Click on the mask thumbnail>Ctrl + I to invert the mask(so all the changes will be masked). The thumbnail will show in black instead of white.
*This shortcut key is only for CS5. After inverting, the
photo look like the original photo again.3. Paint the skin with white( soft brush, Normal, opacity 100, hardness 0%,white). You'll see the area you coloured show and expose the colour you adjusted using the curve.
4. Then I focus on the lips.
• Layer>new adjustment layer>curves
Select red>pull up
Select blue>pull down (Adjust to the colour that matches the lips colour)
Green>down
• Click on the mask thumbnail>Ctrl + I to invert the mask(so all the changes will be masked)
*This shortcut key is only for CS5. After inverting, it'll look like the original photo again.Paint the lips( soft brush, opacity 100, hardness 0%,white)
5. Same thing goes with the hair and everything you want to paint. Just play around with the blue,green and red curves to get the colour you want. Good Luck!
For making it white.. Just adjust RGB . You can also try to invert masking, colour the target area with the white brush, then only adjust the curve.
*For colouring details, like tiny strands, use tiny brush and reduce opacity
Link to view photos: http://angelicxinephotoshop.blogspot.com/2012/02/photoshop-cs5-turning-black-and-white.html
So, how's it? I feel it quite fun, except for the adjusting curve part, quite hard to get the colour i want in the beginning. But soon, it's ok.
* I own the gull copyright of this article and it's published originally on my blog