Color a black and white

[AtlanaAnna]

I haven't worked with Photoshop in a while and I don't remember if I ever knew how to do what I want to do but would like some quick instruction without having to mull through books to find my answer. I want to give the ruffles on the shoulder a red color and also add some red to the lips while keeping it natural looking. What's the best way to go about this? Thank you!

[Tony W]

Several ways as usual in PS. Couple I can think of now:
1. Add a new blank layer and set mode to Color. Select the colour you require and paint over the areas as needed. You can always reduce opacity if you think you have gone too far.
2. Use Curves layers to adjust colour and contrast after masking the individual areas. If you select Normal you can adjust both colour and contrast. If you select Color you will only effect the Hue

[AtlanaAnna]

Here is what I did. I'm not sure if the ruffle is looking natural and I'm not sure I like the red color I used.

[barryjamest]

Here's my go at it.

[Chain]

As Tony suggested you can use the Color blend mode on a layer masked to the area you need to color.

The layer itself could be:
– A normal layer; and you brush in the colors.
– A Gradient Map
– A Solid Color layer (very "flat" result)
– A Curves layer

[Tony W]

Using the two ways I mentioned if it is of any help

Masked the ruffles and applied a curve as shown to both colour and contrast - I settled on this particular red but you can take it in any direction you choose. Also if too strong you can reduce opacity of the layer - I reduced to 85%

Added a blank layer set to Color. Painted over lips with a shade of Red then reduced Opacity to 75%

[0lBaldy]

Don't know about the "Natural Looking" part but here is my quickie go at your picture

[Nasturtium]

nice work everyone. I like gradient maps for this;

[AtlanaAnna]

Wow!!! All of you are really good! I've got to study your diagrams to see if I can follow all that you did! Thanks for so much help! This is the best forum around!

[AtlanaAnna]

I know this forum is always up for competition so here goes. Barry, I think I love your rendition best. I like the eyes and the mellowed background and the darker ruffle. It's all very subtle.

[chillin]

Instead of painting it, I like to take a sample of a similar pic (face), blur it, shape it to match the original and color with it, that way preserving the natural tonal "color-shades".

[sergio2263]

had a go sorry couldn't upload here on the original size.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/1472188...n/photostream/




Helen

[RobertAsh]

Originally Posted by sergio2263

had a go sorry couldn't upload here on the original size.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/1472188...n/photostream/




Helen

Wow I like this one, it's nice, very natural looking.

[sergio2263]

Originally Posted by RobertAsh

Wow I like this one, it's nice, very natural looking.

Thanks for your nice comment I love colourising vintage black and white images.

helen

[AtlanaAnna]

Helen, are you the one that uploaded your rendition to Flickr? It is incredible!!!

[unimatrix001]

thought i would give this a try.

[sergio2263]

Originally Posted by AtlanaAnna

Helen, are you the one that uploaded your rendition to Flickr? It is incredible!!!

Yes I am and thanks for your nice comments.

[cspringer]

my take on the skin tones.

[edbayani]

Here is my attempt.

[aartist]

Just a touch of red, for my taste.

[Greyracer]

Ed, did you pull some contrast out of the original image?

[Cupcake]

My look of this picture.