The selective color is a very interesting post production technique and to use it properly you need a lot of practice.
The software I use to apply this technique is called Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2. I think this little guide could be valid also for the ones who use Photoshop.
Passages :
- Open with the graphic software a color picture and turn it in black and white. Save the picture with a different name. Close it without saving the changes. Than open the color picture and the black and white version.
- Use the clone tool. Click with the right button of the mouse on the color picture area we need. An X will appear on it. Now go on the black and white picture and click with the left button of the mouse on the exact point we appointed with an X on the colored picture. Keep the left button of the mouse pressed (as we were using the brush). The colors will replace the black and white images in this portion of the picture.
To use the clone tool in Photoshop you have to press the Alt button and click simultaneously to appoint the sourcing point. It is different than the Paint Shop Pro that uses the right button of the mouse to effect this operation.
This technique requires a lot of patience, therefore set the clone tool as “normal” and “soft”.
I would suggest to make a lot of experience (even ruining the pictures sometimes..). The good thing of digital photography is that we can always return to the starting point without problems.
Article translated by Giorgio Festa www.giorgiofesta.jimdo.com
