Help with Photoshop--color

[mnms004]

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Ok I need some help!
I am using Photoshop cs2 and I have a jpeg file that I want to turn b&w and then add some color back into various spots in the photo.
I know I have to do the layers....and then add the color back in, but I'm confused as to how to begin this process. Can anyone help me, or direct me to a website that can give me help??

[Asylum Steve]

Hi again,

Ok, quick method. First copy your jpeg and save it as a photoshop (PSD) file. Use the save as feature from the FILE pulldown menu.

The easiest way to create the b&w bg is to use the Hue/Saturation tool. Use IMAGE>ADJUSTMENTS>HUE/SATURATION. Move the saturation slider all the way to the left. Click OK...

Each of your seperate colors should be on its own layer. To create a new layer, click the new layer icon at the bottom of the layers palette. Make sure the new layer is above the b&w bg and active.

You can add your color several ways. One is to select an area of the image using one of the selection tools. The lasso (keyboard shortcut L) or the magic wand (shortcut W) tool are both pretty good for clearly defined areas with hard edges.

If you have a large area of an even tone, you can use the color range selection tool. It's in the Select pulldown menu. Use the eyedrop tool and click on the area. Adjust the fuzziness slider to include more or less area.

When you have a selection you're satisfied with, choose a foreground color from one of the ps color palettes. Then hit ATL + backspace to fill the selected area. Deselect (CTRL + D)...

To let the bg tone show through, set the layer blend mode (pulldown menu at top left of LAYERS palette) to either color, hue or saturation (you'll notice slight differences among the three). Use the opacity slider (top of layers palette) to adjust the intensity of the color. Repeat for each new color on a new layer.

Another way to add color is to simply select a brush and paint right on the new layer, over the area you want colored. Then repeat the steps in the paragraph above. Obviously, this is trickier, and usually requires careful brush selection and "paint-in" skill, but if done right gives better and more realistic results.

Well, that should get you started. Give a hollar if you have trouble or want more detailed instructions...

[mnms004]

wooo ok!
Thank you so much
I'm off to try it;)

[mnms004]

I followed you up until I slected the area...now the alt backspace thing isn't working
It won't add the color back in

[Asylum Steve]

I followed you up until I slected the area...now the alt backspace thing isn't working
It won't add the color back in

Well, alt + backspace is the default ps shortcut for fill foreground color. You can also try SHIFT + F5. That should bring up the FILL tool box. You then use that to choose your color.

Or the obvious EDIT>FILL from the top pulldown menu...