Taking color out of a photograph

AmandaJL · 05-04-2007, 09:13 AM

my friend mentioned somehting to me that sunded interesting. she was wondering if i could take a picture with my camera that takes the color out of some of the picture but not all of it. for example the people in the picture are in color but the background is in black and white. i was sure you have to do this after the picture is taken like in a photo editing program but i just wanted to make sure. if any of you know that would be appreciated.
thanks in advance,
Amanda

atupdate · 05-04-2007, 09:30 AM

I know of a couple different methods to do this in post processing (neither of which I have ever tried) but I don't think the software inside a camera has the capability.

Tim

**NaClH2O** · 05-04-2007, 09:55 AM

Hi Amanda, as far as I know, you are correct. It can be done but it has to be done after the fact. You can convert to ALL black and white or sepia toned photos in the camera tho. Leastwise you can with the DS, I'm pretty sure you can with the K110 D also.

NaCl(on the DS you use the fn button during playback)H2O

kskjon · 05-04-2007, 11:10 AM

One way to do it (in pp) is to add a desaturated layer over the original color layer, and use a layer mask and cut out the parts you want to be in color.

Quite easy in photoshop. Just google 'layer mask'

etrainer · 05-04-2007, 11:27 AM

Like the others have said, not too dificult to do. What photo editing software do you use? Google for a tutorial of the editor of your choice. If you need more help I could get you a link. Just let me know which editor.

WMBP · 05-04-2007, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by AmandaJL

my friend mentioned somehting to me that sunded interesting. she was wondering if i could take a picture with my camera that takes the color out of some of the picture but not all of it. for example the people in the picture are in color but the background is in black and white. i was sure you have to do this after the picture is taken like in a photo editing program but i just wanted to make sure. if any of you know that would be appreciated.

As others have noted already, you can certainly do this in post-processing on your computer.

But there is also a way to do this in the camera - if you have the right camera. In the last year, I've owned three different cameras: a Canon PowerShot S3 IS, a Pentax K100D, and now the Pentax K10D. At least one of those cameras allowed me to apply a filter to an image while it was still in the camera that would basically retain only a certain color, while causing the other colors to be converted to grayscale. Say you were photographing a woman with blue eyes. You could cause her blue eyes to be in color, while the rest of the shot was grayscale. As far as I can tell, the K10D can't do this. I can't remember if it's possible in the K100D. I'm almost certain that the Canon PowerShot S3 IS could do it. I used it very rarely. The results were nicely done - but I'm not a big fan of this sort of thing.

Will

AmandaJL · 05-04-2007, 06:47 PM

what i suspected. i have a K110D and i was also wondering this because unfortunatley my computer is so bad that i cant do any editing to my pictures. not even rotate or crop. anyways thanks for your replies.
Amanda

davemdsn · 05-04-2007, 08:43 PM

The best ways I can think of are with ACR 4 or Lightroom, both offer the ability to desaturate one color while leaving the others relatively untouched. I have used it several times and like the results.

little laker · 05-04-2007, 09:39 PM

Originally posted by WMBP

As others have noted already, you can certainly do this in post-processing on your computer.

At least one of those cameras allowed me to apply a filter to an image while it was still in the camera that would basically retain only a certain color, while causing the other colors to be converted to grayscale.

Will

The K100D sort of has this feature. I believe that the K110D is the same.
It only works with JPG's, but when your viewing the picture click on Fn, then push left button.
Then use the down button to the color option.
Use the wheel to fiddle with the colors, some appear to make the image B&W with colored sections.

little laker · 05-04-2007, 09:44 PM

Originally posted by AmandaJL

what i suspected. i have a K110D and i was also wondering this because unfortunatley my computer is so bad that i cant do any editing to my pictures. not even rotate or crop. anyways thanks for your replies.
Amanda

Tell us what your computer is (we promise not to laugh) and someone might know of a program that you can use.

If your running an OLD PC you might just consider changing the Operating System to Linux. Or better yet, wait until Ubuntu Studio gets released and use it.
They're free programs, that don't require the best computers to run on.

SupremeMoFo · 05-05-2007, 03:32 AM

What I do, using Photoshop, is a really easy technique. Copy & paste the photo. Convert the photo to black & white then erase/delete the relevant parts.

davemdsn · 05-05-2007, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by SupremeMoFo

What I do, using Photoshop, is a really easy technique. Copy & paste the photo. Convert the photo to black & white then erase/delete the relevant parts.

"Erase" is a four letter word in the Photoshop world.

You should use an adjustment layer to create your black and white version and use the layer mask to bring back the color area you want. Non-destructive editing.

Richard3550 · 05-05-2007, 11:48 AM

Exactly what I was going to say.

For Dummies:
1. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation. Click OK.
2. Drag the Saturation slider all the way down to -100 and click OK. The whole image should now be in black and white.
3. Bring up the Layers palette and select the newly created layer "Hue/Saturation 1".
4. Use the paintbrush tool to paint over areas you want to return the colour to (black will let the colour come through, shades of grey will let lesser amounts through, and white will block it.)

SupremeMoFo - I really like the treatment of that image - gives it an almost anachronistic feel. Well done.

AmandaJL · 05-05-2007, 06:19 PM

My computer is hp pavilion 7840 and its windowsMe Millenium Edition. How exactly do i change the operating system to Linux? i have no idea what this means. haha sorry im not very good with computers. just want one to edit and play with my pictures.
Amanda

little laker · 05-05-2007, 07:36 PM

your computer would fly with Linux then

It's similar to installing Windows, just save it to a disk and leave it in the disk drive.
Re-boot the machine, and it'll walk you through it... for the most part.

I've gotten it installed myself easily enough, but never fine tuned it. I've got friends that can do that for me.
I believe that there's a linux forum, so you might be able to locate someone who lives close to you to give you a hand

Gimp, which is a free Linux program is a lot like Photoshop, so you'll have most of your editing software there.

I wish that I could help you out more.

05-04-2007, 09:13 AM	#1
AmandaJL Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 35	Taking color out of a photograph my friend mentioned somehting to me that sunded interesting. she was wondering if i could take a picture with my camera that takes the color out of some of the picture but not all of it. for example the people in the picture are in color but the background is in black and white. i was sure you have to do this after the picture is taken like in a photo editing program but i just wanted to make sure. if any of you know that would be appreciated. thanks in advance, Amanda

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05-04-2007, 09:30 AM	#2
atupdate Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dayton, OH Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,724	I know of a couple different methods to do this in post processing (neither of which I have ever tried) but I don't think the software inside a camera has the capability. Tim

05-04-2007, 09:55 AM	#3
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Hi Amanda, as far as I know, you are correct. It can be done but it has to be done after the fact. You can convert to ALL black and white or sepia toned photos in the camera tho. Leastwise you can with the DS, I'm pretty sure you can with the K110 D also. NaCl(on the DS you use the fn button during playback)H2O

05-04-2007, 11:10 AM	#4
kskjon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ålesund, Norway Photos: Gallery Posts: 170	One way to do it (in pp) is to add a desaturated layer over the original color layer, and use a layer mask and cut out the parts you want to be in color. Quite easy in photoshop. Just google 'layer mask'

05-04-2007, 11:27 AM	#5
etrainer Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Houston, Tx Photos: Gallery Posts: 29	Like the others have said, not too dificult to do. What photo editing software do you use? Google for a tutorial of the editor of your choice. If you need more help I could get you a link. Just let me know which editor.

05-04-2007, 11:31 AM	#6
WMBP Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,482	Originally posted by AmandaJL my friend mentioned somehting to me that sunded interesting. she was wondering if i could take a picture with my camera that takes the color out of some of the picture but not all of it. for example the people in the picture are in color but the background is in black and white. i was sure you have to do this after the picture is taken like in a photo editing program but i just wanted to make sure. if any of you know that would be appreciated. As others have noted already, you can certainly do this in post-processing on your computer. But there is also a way to do this in the camera - if you have the right camera. In the last year, I've owned three different cameras: a Canon PowerShot S3 IS, a Pentax K100D, and now the Pentax K10D. At least one of those cameras allowed me to apply a filter to an image while it was still in the camera that would basically retain only a certain color, while causing the other colors to be converted to grayscale. Say you were photographing a woman with blue eyes. You could cause her blue eyes to be in color, while the rest of the shot was grayscale. As far as I can tell, the K10D can't do this. I can't remember if it's possible in the K100D. I'm almost certain that the Canon PowerShot S3 IS could do it. I used it very rarely. The results were nicely done - but I'm not a big fan of this sort of thing. Will

05-04-2007, 06:47 PM	#7
AmandaJL Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 35 Original Poster	what i suspected. i have a K110D and i was also wondering this because unfortunatley my computer is so bad that i cant do any editing to my pictures. not even rotate or crop. anyways thanks for your replies. Amanda

05-04-2007, 08:43 PM	#8
davemdsn Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,413	The best ways I can think of are with ACR 4 or Lightroom, both offer the ability to desaturate one color while leaving the others relatively untouched. I have used it several times and like the results.

05-04-2007, 09:39 PM	#9
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	Originally posted by WMBP As others have noted already, you can certainly do this in post-processing on your computer. At least one of those cameras allowed me to apply a filter to an image while it was still in the camera that would basically retain only a certain color, while causing the other colors to be converted to grayscale. Will The K100D sort of has this feature. I believe that the K110D is the same. It only works with JPG's, but when your viewing the picture click on Fn, then push left button. Then use the down button to the color option. Use the wheel to fiddle with the colors, some appear to make the image B&W with colored sections.

05-04-2007, 09:44 PM	#10
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	Originally posted by AmandaJL what i suspected. i have a K110D and i was also wondering this because unfortunatley my computer is so bad that i cant do any editing to my pictures. not even rotate or crop. anyways thanks for your replies. Amanda Tell us what your computer is (we promise not to laugh) and someone might know of a program that you can use. If your running an OLD PC you might just consider changing the Operating System to Linux. Or better yet, wait until Ubuntu Studio gets released and use it. They're free programs, that don't require the best computers to run on.

05-05-2007, 03:32 AM	#11
SupremeMoFo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 668	What I do, using Photoshop, is a really easy technique. Copy & paste the photo. Convert the photo to black & white then erase/delete the relevant parts.

05-05-2007, 11:17 AM	#12
davemdsn Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,413	Originally posted by SupremeMoFo What I do, using Photoshop, is a really easy technique. Copy & paste the photo. Convert the photo to black & white then erase/delete the relevant parts. "Erase" is a four letter word in the Photoshop world. You should use an adjustment layer to create your black and white version and use the layer mask to bring back the color area you want. Non-destructive editing.

05-05-2007, 11:48 AM	#13
Richard3550 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bendigo, Victoria, AU Posts: 43	Exactly what I was going to say. For Dummies: 1. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation. Click OK. 2. Drag the Saturation slider all the way down to -100 and click OK. The whole image should now be in black and white. 3. Bring up the Layers palette and select the newly created layer "Hue/Saturation 1". 4. Use the paintbrush tool to paint over areas you want to return the colour to (black will let the colour come through, shades of grey will let lesser amounts through, and white will block it.) SupremeMoFo - I really like the treatment of that image - gives it an almost anachronistic feel. Well done.

05-05-2007, 06:19 PM	#14
AmandaJL Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 35 Original Poster	My computer is hp pavilion 7840 and its windowsMe Millenium Edition. How exactly do i change the operating system to Linux? i have no idea what this means. haha sorry im not very good with computers. just want one to edit and play with my pictures. Amanda

05-05-2007, 07:36 PM	#15
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	your computer would fly with Linux then It's similar to installing Windows, just save it to a disk and leave it in the disk drive. Re-boot the machine, and it'll walk you through it... for the most part. I've gotten it installed myself easily enough, but never fine tuned it. I've got friends that can do that for me. I believe that there's a linux forum, so you might be able to locate someone who lives close to you to give you a hand Gimp, which is a free Linux program is a lot like Photoshop, so you'll have most of your editing software there. I wish that I could help you out more.