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Learn essential techniques for colorizing black and white photos using tools like the Magic Wand and Healing Brush. Follow step-by-step instructions to composite images and add color, filters, lens flares, and text to transform your photos.
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Colorizing Black & White Photos Tools, Processes & Tricks
Overview • Tools: • Magic Wand, Quick Selection • Lassos • Healing Brush • Resizing Images • Compositing • Colorizing • Using Photo Filters • Looking at Lens Flares • Manipulating Text
Overview - Goal Begin With: Create This:
To Start: • Access and open the following files: • Kitten.tiff • Car_Original.psd • SquashBackground.bmp • Working with multiple files – To make it easier the arrangement of the images can be altered. • Use Window > Arrange and select an option to re-arrange the three images
To Start (cont.) • Click on the squash background image – change the color mode to RGB • Image > Mode > RGB (Index mode limits what you can do color wise) • If necessary, pull each image down from the top so you can see all three.
To Start (cont.) • At this point, the three images should be accessible like the following image
Selecting & Compositing • Using the kitten.tiff file – resize the image • Select Image > Image Size to reduce width to 150 pixels, resolution to 72 ppi and Bicubic Sharper
Selecting & Compositing • Select the kitty’s background using the Magic Wand or Quick Selection Tool • Click/Paint anywhere on the white background • Selects the background but to select the kitty, use Select > Inverse and note where the marching ants are
Selecting & Compositing • Use the Move Tool • Click and Drag the Kitten onto the Car_Original image to create a new layer with the kitten on it. • Name the Layer Kitten • Can now close the kitten.tiff window (Don’t need to save the changes)
Colorizing • To begin working with the Car_Original image and its background layer • Make the background layer into a new background (Right Click > Layer from Background) • Name the new layer Car • Should have two Layers: Kitten & Car
Colorizing • Make sure to have the car layer be the active layer • Use the Quick Selection tool to select the entire car so it can be painted. • Select the Quick Selection Tool. • Set the properties to about 20 pixels, brush hardness to 88% • When making selections like this, it can take some tweaking of the brush to find a good size to work with.
Colorizing • When using the Quick Selection Tool – use the [ or ] key to increase/decrease the size of the brush while working • Remember to use Alt + Clicking to deselect • See below for a general idea of the selection:
Colorizing • To begin coloring the car: • Select the Brush Tool • On the Control Panel Bar – Set the Mode to Color • The Color Mode makes the color transparent – otherwise it would just be opaque and cover the details of the car.
Colorizing • Select a color from the color picker on the Color Panel or a Swatch from the Swatches Panel • Making sure the active layer is the Car layer – begin to paint over the car • Once done painting the car – Deselect (Ctrl + D)
Colorizing • Having gone through the process, try adding color to some other areas of the image such as: • The woman’s Dress • The man’s paints, top and/or tie • To give an idea of the possibilities, see the image below:
Colorizing • To try colorizing with the Magic Wand Tool • Select the Magic Wand Tool (Sub-tool to the Quick Selection Tool) • Set the tolerance to about 45 and select the trees. • It is ok if the selection doesn’t select all the trees • Go back to the Brush Tool and select a color and paint to see the effect you get with the trees. • Deselect (Ctrl + D)
Healing Brush • Using the Healing Brush, will be able to remove the power lines in the sky in the picture • Begin to paint over the Power Lines to remove them and only have the sky area showing
The Lens Flare • Again…not a window into your soul… • Will be used with the front hub-cap • Navigate to Filter > Render > Lens Flare • Choose any one of the Lens Flares to try • Take down the brightness to 50% • Click on the hub-cap in the thumbnail image to place the Lens Flare • Click OK
Adding Text • To finish the image, will add the title, “Washing the Car” • Select the Type Tool and also navigate to the menu bar and choose Window > Character • Although the control option bar offers the type controls, the Character Panel provides more detailed controls
Adding Text • Select the Typeface of your choice with the the color and size • Click on the image and begin to type out the phrase, “Washing the Car” • Remember as long as the type is active, can re-highlight and make changes • To commit the changes, choose the check mark on the control panel bar OR hit Enter on the numeric keypad