Life is Good

This is Part 3 and the final part of the Photo Manipulation Masterclass feature that I did for Scrapbook Magazine UK.
This week I will show you a color changing technique used in a photo.

Step-by-Step for Color Changing Technique

Open your photo in Photoshop Elements

You are working with layers so you must have your “layers” window open:

Choose Layer

Duplicate Layer

Label this as your “Background Copy"

Working with your “Background Copy”

Choose “Enhance”

Convert the image to black & white

Choose your eraser tool

Choose a brush size that works for you:

Smaller brush for small intricate areas and a larger brush for open and larger areas.

Brush over the photo the areas that you want the original color to show through.  As you run your eraser over the black & white photo the color will start to show through.

Once you are happy with the outcome, “Save” your photo.

This is the unaltered photo

This is the altered photo

And this is the layout that I created with the photo "Life is Good"

Here are a few close-ups of the layout using the 7 Gypsies "Lille" patterned paper line.

I inked and distressed all the edges.

 Created my own banner by printing the flag and adding some string.

 Added some red ink to the corrugated cardboard.

Just a few tips:

Remember that the color red is the easiest for humans to see, so it makes perfect sense to use red to your advantage.  As in the photo of the red phone box which draws you in immediately.

Mat the photo on cardstock that makes the photo pop.  In this case I used black to highlight the red in the black and white photo.

Add dimension to your layouts.  I used a torn piece of corrugated cardboard, distressed and inked the edges.

Use a mask and some coordinating acrylic ink to add dimension and a pop of color to your layout.

Distress, tear and ink your paper edges.

If you do not have access to a photo editing program you can try coloring in an image on your black and white photo using colored markers.

If you want to add a pop of color to a black & white photo consider adding a ¼” mat of bright colored paper behind the photo.

Crop your photo to highlight the focal point.  In this case I cropped my photo to remove unwanted people walking past my subject.

Remove unwanted images from a photo by painting over the image with Gesso.