select color trick

The photoshop trick that I am most commonly asked how to do is color select. Color select is simply a photo that is black and white with only one color still visible.

This effect is pretty easy to achive in photoshop with a little practice. There are several ways that you can use to capture this look. I will be showing you the way that works the best for me.

Start by opening the image you want to use for you color select project. Press [Ctrl]+[J] to make a duplicate of the background layer

Step 1. Change your image to black and white. There are a couple of ways to do this. You can go to "Layers"--"Adjustment Layers"--"Black and White". If your version of Photoshop doesn't have this option then you can change the color of your duplicate layer by going to "Image"--"Adjustments"--"Desaturate" or use shortcut [Shift]+[Ctrl]+[U].

Step 2. Select the Item that you want to be in color. Use the "Polygonal Lasso Tool" from your tools pallete to the left of your screen. This is pretty simple on an item with staight edges but if you are selecting an item with curves it might take a couple of tries and a little practice.

Step 3. Right click on your selection and choose "Feather". This will bring up your "Feather Selection" window. Change feather radius to "2" and click "Ok". This will soften the edge of your selection to keep it from looking as harsh.

Step 4. Once you are satisfied with your selection check your layers pallet. Make sure you have the "black and white" layer selected then hit the delete button. This should reveal the original color of the object you have selected.

Step 5. You will now want to flatten your image and save it. Go to "Layer"--"Flatten Image". Now you are ready to save your image. I would suggest saving it under a new name so that you still have your original image to use later.

This is just one way of mastering this trick. For a first timer, practice is the key. The more you do this the more precise you will become with you selection.

Please leave you comments and let me know how this works for you.

Also if anyone has a request for a trick you would like to learn just let me know and I will try to do a future post on that paticular trick.