Converting colors into B&W photos

[Yarrow]

Im currently uses Photoshop elements 5.

How can I pull random color out in B&W pics. Someone told me how to do it but it was so wrong.
I would be converting the Photo to b&w and say its a flower photo I would want to pull the color of the flower out while keeping the background b&w.

[jorgemonkey]

If you can do layers in Elements 5, duplicate the background layer, convert the new layer to B&W, then erase the top layer where the flower is. That will make the colors come through.

You could also use the magic wand, or one of the lasso tools to select the flower, invert the selection, and then convert the selection to B&W

I don't have Elements, but I think you can do one of those steps with it

[readingr]

I assume you mean converting a colour photo to B&W and keeping a small part as colour.

Its very eady in Elements.

1. Create a duplicate layer and convert it to B&W
Now you have two options

2a. Erase the B&W portion you want to keep in colour and the bottom layer will show through.
or
2a. Select the portion you want in Colour and create a Levels layer but do nothing, just click okay
2b Make sure you have black selected as the foreground colour
2c Select a paint brush and size it so it's easy to use
2d Start painting black over the bit you want to see in colour. If you go wrong slect white and paint to make the colour go away.

The last method creates a mask which gives you more control

That should be it.

Roger

[Yarrow]

I assume you mean converting a colour photo to B&W and keeping a small part as colour.

Its very eady in Elements.

1. Create a duplicate layer and convert it to B&W
Now you have two options

2a. Erase the B&W portion you want to keep in colour and the bottom layer will show through.
or
2a. Select the portion you want in Colour and create a Levels layer but do nothing, just click okay
2b Make sure you have black selected as the foreground colour
2c Select a paint brush and size it so it's easy to use
2d Start painting black over the bit you want to see in colour. If you go wrong slect white and paint to make the colour go away.

The last method creates a mask which gives you more control

That should be it.

Roger

Thanks! ..These were the instructions I got but #2 was not there ...thats probably why I couldnt do it,

[mjs1973]

Does Elements 5 support masks?

[livin4lax09]

new adjustment layer

hue/saturation, set layer color to white

saturation to negative max

then paint black in where you want color to come back.

thats how i used to do it in elements.