5 minute selective colour in GIMP/PS

[junglebear]

A graffiti shot that I made into a selective colour image using GIMP, although I'm sure the same process would work in Photoshop. It can be done in less than 5 minutes



1. Duplicate your image layer twice, we'll call them A and B, with A at the top
2. Add Alpha channel to A (right click on layer, 'add alpha channel')
3. Convert A to black and white, I did it by desaturating the image (Colours>Hue-saturation)
4. Move B to the top (arrow buttons)
5. Working on B now, select (with scissors tool is best) the area you want to remain colour ie. the graffiti. It's easier to get the edges right if you zoom to about 50%
6. With your area selected, move A back to top, making sure that is the selected layer
7. Now press delete, and voila! You now have a selective colour image.

At this point you could try adjusting the saturation (of layer B) for different effects. In this image I turned down the saturation of the graffiti to give it a subtler, stark effect.

[kgb224]

Outstanding work. Thank you for sharing the tips.

[rick020200]

Now that is selective color done right: to highlight the subject. Well done.

[Marija]

like what you've done!

steps are easy to follow, which is great for me since I've just started to learn about Gimp.
thanks for sharing

[junglebear]

Originally Posted by rick020200

Now that is selective color done right: to highlight the subject. Well done.

Thanks, I do like to experiment with selective colouring but it's often overdone, glad you like this one.

Originally Posted by Marija

like what you've done!

steps are easy to follow, which is great for me since I've just started to learn about Gimp.
thanks for sharing

Thanks
Glad you found it useful, GIMP is a great tool for beginners who don't want to shell out for Photoshop. Feel free to post some of your results here

[Darkninja462]

Great work with this, excellent tutorial give great effects

Quick Play Gave Me This



Ninja

[sunvalley23]

I adore graffiti, excellent job.

[ricklumpas]

The results are more than satisfactory. It looks complicated PP but those steps sound easy. Thanks for sharing. I'll give it a try.

[garrettth]

came out sweet man

[Marija]

Decided to try on this one.

I have to say... selective coloring - never again on a tree!

So...here it is