Photographers often add color to only one object in a black and white picture to highlight a subject, create a dramatic mood, or guide attention in a photo. You can often see this creativity in wedding portraits where only the bouquet is colorful or in travel shots where a bright red phone booth stands out against a black-and-white city.
The best thing is that this effect is easy to create, and you don’t need to be a Photoshop pro to pull this off. In this article, we’ll show you three methods to get color pop in black & white pictures and provide steps for the simplest one.
Table of Contents
Methods to Add Color to Only One Object in a Black and White Picture
Want to learn techniques on manipulating colors in Photoshop? Here are three ways:
Method 1: Black & White Adjustment Layer
The Black & White Adjustment Layer applies the effect to the whole image, and then you can erase it from the part where you want the color to pop. However, if you’re working with complicated subjects (hair or trees), you might spend a bit more time getting those edges just right.
Method 2: Selective Color Rage
Photoshop’s “Color Range” tool helps you pick out specific colors you want to keep in your photo and convert the rest to black and white. The bummer? If your photo has similar colors in other elemental areas, you might need to do some extra cleanup work.
Method 3: Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer
The Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer lets you desaturate everything except the object by manually adjusting the saturation of each color range. However, it can take extra time to fine-tune the selection.
Steps to Make the One Item Stand Out In the Picture
We’ll use the Black & White Adjustment Layer method for this guide because it gives the best control. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Import Your Picture
To make the one item stand out in the picture, open “Photoshop” and click “Open” on the main screen or go to “Your Files,” “Lightroom,” or “Shared With You.” Now, select your photo to import it and open the editing interface.
Now, right-click the background layer and click “Duplicate Layer.”
Rename the duplicate layer to black & white and click “OK.”
Step 2: Make a Selection
Next, click the “Quick Selection Tool” or the “Pen Tool” in the left menu bar and make a selection around the object you want to keep in color.
Then, click “Select” in the top menu ribbon and choose “Inverse.” You can also simply press “Cmd + Shift + I on a Mac” or “CTRL + Shift + I” on a Windows PC to invert the selection and choose everything outside it.
Step 3: Apply the Black & White Adjustment Layer
Click “Layer,” choose “New Adjustment Layer,” and select “Black & White” from the sub-menu.
Now, click “OK” in the “New Layer” window, and the image will turn black and white, except for the selected area.
It is best to stick with the default settings for the effect.
Otherwise, adjust the “Reds,” “Yellows,” “Greens,” “Cyans,” “Blues,” and “Magentas” color sliders to set the lighting and texture as you prefer.
Step 4: Export the Image
Finally, click “File” in the top right corner, select “Export,” and pick “Export As.” You can also press “Alt+Shift+Ctrl+W” on Windows or “Option+Shift+Cmd+W” on the Mac keyboard.
Set the file format to JPG or PNG, select the resolution, and click “Export.”
Rename the picture if needed, select the folder where you want to save it and choose “Save.”
Tips and Tricks
Refine the Edges
If your colored item looks rough after applying the black & white effect, use the “Feather” option under “Select” > “Modify” > “Feather” to blend the object smoothly with the background.
Zoom In While Making the Selection
When selecting the object, press “Ctrl + Plus (+)” on Windows or “Cmd + Plus (+)” on Mac to zoom in. This helps you avoid rough or uneven edges, especially when using the Quick Selection Tool or the Pen Tool.
Use Layer Masks for Touch-ups
If your selection is imperfect and you find colored areas outside the subject after applying the effect, don’t worry! Just select the layer mask of the Black & White adjustment layer, choose the “Brush Tool,” and paint with black to reveal color and white to hide it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not Inverting the Selection Properly
When you skip the “Select” > “Inverse” step, you may desaturate the object instead of the background. So, double-check that the selection is correctly inverted before applying the Black & White Adjustment Layer.
Overusing the Adjustment Sliders
Dragging the black-and-white sliders too far can make the image look unnatural. Try to adjust them slightly to maintain a balanced look.
FAQs
Can I Use the Black & White Effect on Any Image?
You can apply the black & white effect and keep a single item colored in any picture. However, you may have to experiment with different techniques on manipulating colors in Photoshop to find the right one for your image.
What Does Feathering Do To a Selection?
Feathering creates a gradual transition effect between the selected area and its surroundings and softens its edges.
Conclusion
As we wrap up, you’ve learned how to add color to only one object in a black and white picture using the “Black & White Adjustment Layer” in Photoshop. There are some tips and some common mistakes to avoid in this guide as well for a better outcome.
So, there you have it. You can now add something colorful with a vintage appeal in a photo without the steep learning curve.
