Help with B&W pics

[JPW]

I took some B&W pics using the "Selective Color" setting and downloaded the pics to my computer. What I want to do now is to add color to objects (cars) in the pics , leaving the rest of the pic B&W. I have Photoshop Elements 11, but can't figure out how to do it. Any suggestions?

Jim

 

[pedroj]

Hi and welcome...What I do when doing similar is take an image and copy it put them both in PS turn one B/W then put the coloured one on top and rub out the bits I don't want colour in...

 

[Marilynne]

I use my camera. Take the picture in color, then choose Selective Color on the Retouch Menu. You can choose up to 3 colors. The rest will come up B/W. I have the D5100 and it's in the softcover user manual on page 59.

 

[§am]

I think the OP wants to add colour to the picture once he's already removed it using the camera and then downloaded it to his PC.

Don't think that's actually possible - what you're trying to do is restore the colour to the image, but as you selectively removed it in the first place, the info won't be there.

Alan's advice would be better - take a colour pic and then edit it accordingly on the camera or even in PE11

 

[Marcel]

I took some B&W pics using the "Selective Color" setting and downloaded the pics to my computer. What I want to do now is to add color to objects (cars) in the pics , leaving the rest of the pic B&W. I have Photoshop Elements 11, but can't figure out how to do it. Any suggestions?

Jim

It's way easier to remove color than to add it. My suggestion is that you shoot jpeg AND RAW. And save both files to your computer. Then you'll always have all the information to work on it. And keep the originals and only work on copies.

 

[JPW]

I think the OP wants to add colour to the picture once he's already removed it using the camera and then downloaded it to his PC.

Don't think that's actually possible - what you're trying to do is restore the colour to the image, but as you selectively removed it in the first place, the info won't be there.

Alan's advice would be better - take a colour pic and then edit it accordingly on the camera or even in PE11

Yes, that was what I was asking. Damn, for some reason I thought selective color would allow me to do that. Well, learned something new today, will have to return to the location and do another shoot. Thanks all for the information/help! Just starting to really get into taking pics with this camera, love it so far, but so much to learn.

 

[AC016]

Uhhhh, if you shot your pictures in the "selective color" mode, they are not black & white or more to the point, if you wanted to take b&W photos, why use "selective color"? When using selective color, you point your camera at the color you want the camera to pick up. You then lock this in. You can do this for up to 3 colors. Those 3 colors that you have chosen or locked in, will be the colors that will show up in your picture. Everything else that is not one of those 3 colors, will be monochrome or B&W. THere is no need to try and do this in PP when you can do it in-camera if you set up the camera right. I just don't understand your statement, "What I want to do now is to add color to objects (cars) in the pics , leaving the rest of the pic B&W." That is what "selective color" does in the d5100, no need for PP. It's all in the manual.

 

[JPW]

AC016 - Thanks for that information. I am pretty new with this camera and didn't know how that function works. I will read up on how to do what you said to "lock this in". I guess I need to read more about the camera to understand all the capabilities better. I really love B&W pictures and using Selective Color was/is the only way I have figured out to do that. Again, thanks for taking the time to explain that to me.

 

[fotojack]

One of the greatest difficulties beginner photographers have is reading the owners manual that came with their camera. There is a wealth of information available in the Index portion of the manual, that will lead you to the answer you seek. Everything else......we can answer that for ya! lol

 

[AC016]

AC016 - Thanks for that information. I am pretty new with this camera and didn't know how that function works. I will read up on how to do what you said to "lock this in". I guess I need to read more about the camera to understand all the capabilities better. I really love B&W pictures and using Selective Color was/is the only way I have figured out to do that. Again, thanks for taking the time to explain that to me.

No problem. For the D5100, b&w is "monochrome". Press the "i" button twice and go down to "bkt". To the left of "bkt", you will see a menu option where you can change the picture type: Vivid, Standard, Monochrome, etc. It's also in the manual.