Photoshop Elements >

Toning B&W Photographs >

3 - Method #2: Colorize

With this method, you can use a B&W photograph, of course.

You can also use a color photograph, and there's no need to convert it to B&W.

Be sure to check off as you go along.

If you haven't already done so, do the Preparation described in the first section.

Select a Specific Color

If you want to use a specific color, change the foreground color to the desired color.

If you haven't already done so, go to Color Picking.

You can also choose a color later.

Toning

1) Click the Background copy layer or the composite layer (see Preparation).

2) Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.

The Hue/Saturation window will open.

Make the adjustments described below.

Click OK (Pre-8.0 only).

Select Colorize.

In 6.0 & 7.0, Colorize is located in the bottom right corner.

In 8.0, Colorize is located in the bottom middle.

Use Hue to select the toning color if you haven't already changed the foreground color to a specific color.

Use Saturation to change the strength of the color.

Opacity

You can reduce the opacity of the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to reduce the amount of the toning.

An Example

Below, Hue was set to 220, and Saturation to 10, to add blue to the photograph.

Use 25 and 20, or thereabouts, for sepia.

Original

Blue Toned (Hue 220, Saturation 10, Opacity 100%)

Add Toning Locally

Use a Selection

You can add toning to the part of your photograph that you select.

1) If the Background copy layer, or composite layer, is a color photograph, you must convert it to B&W.

Go to Enhance > Adjust Color > Remove Color, or press Shift + Ctrl + u.

Or, use Method #2.

2) Make a selection.

3) Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer as described above.

Only the area inside the selection will be colored.

If you make a second selection, create another Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.

Choose the same color or a new color.

Use a Brush to Hand Color

You can use this method to hand color a photograph.

1) If the Background copy layer, or composite layer, is a color photograph, you must convert it to B&W.

Go to Enhance > Adjust Color > Remove Color, or press Shift + Ctrl + u.

Or, use Method #2.

2) Make a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer as described above.

3) Rename the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer with the name of the color.

4) Fill the mask of the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer with black.

a) Make sure the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer is active (highlighted).

b) Make sure the foreground color is black.

If you haven't already, go to Foreground & Background Colors.

c) Press Alt + Backspace (or Delete).

The white mask in the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer is now black.

Black blocks the color of the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.

5) Change the foreground color from black to white.

6) Select the Brush tool.

7) Make sure the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer is active (highlighted).

8) Where you paint with white, the black mask changes to white, allowing the color to become visible.

If you make a mistake, change the foreground color to black, and erase the mistake.

Be sure to change the foreground color back to white to continue hand coloring.

Repeat the above steps to hand color with other colors.

Saving the Photograph

If you haven't already done so, go to Saving Files.

Back

3

Next