Bring out colors in black & white photographs

Bringing attention to certain objects by color-extraction in a black and white photo is not a new concept. However, while it is quite popular with wedding photographers I am finding that few actually know how to do this in Photoshop.

In this tutorial I will show you how to extract an object and improve the quality of its’ color while leaving the background in black and white.

Step 1: Right click on your background layer and select “Duplicate Layer”. It should appear in your layers pallet like so:

Step 2: Pick out what, in your photograph, you wish to feature. In this example I will be featuring the rose.

Select your feature using the Quick Selection tool, the Magic Wand tool, the Marquee tool, or any of the Lassos. You should have little marching ants walking around your photograph like so:

Step 3: With the feature still selected go to Layers > New Adjustment Layer > Vibrance OR, if you are using CS3: Layers > New Adjustment Layer > Saturation. This will do basically the same thing. If you would like to learn more about the difference between the two you can check out my blog entitled:.

I used 70% for my Vibrance and, for CS3 users, 12% Saturation:

Now, because the selection was made, Photoshop automatically created an input mask and applied the vibrance to the selected area. However, if you ever wish to apply an adjustment to the topmost layer select this button:

Step 4: Select the bottom layer/the original “Background” layer and go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation and bring Saturation to 0%:

This will turn the photo black and white. The old image is still visible, though.

Step 5:  To erase the colored image you do not wish to show hold down Ctrl and click on the input mask in the Vibrance layer. This will select the feature again.

Press Ctrl > Shift > I simultaneously to select inverse and then press Delete. The end product should look somewhat like this:

 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. This is a very flexible effect and can be applied in endless ways. Here are some other photos of my own where I used this effect. Enjoy!

I hope you’re inspired !

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