Photoshop Techniques: Layer styles, Layer Masks
People often ask me how to create a selective area of color in a photo, while making the rest of the image black and white. There are a number of ways to do this, but here is a secret way that not only shows off colorful areas, but also lets you tint the rest of the photo using your background paper! It’s a great technique for minimizing busy photo backgrounds and for showcasing subjects or bright objects.
The result looks great used with solid papers, but pattern papers also work and give interesting textures and rich designs without extra work. Experiment!
To get started you need Photoshop (most versions will work), one digital paper and one or more related photos. Choose a photo with a subject that you want to highlight. I selected this photo because I wanted to minimize the bright red couch and background.
Photoshop Steps Following are 6 steps to take you from blank page to fabulous layout!
1. Start a new 12x12 blank page.
Start Photoshop and create a new blank project by going to the File Menu > New. You will need to choose your page size and resolution. For this layout I am using a12x12 inch size and 300ppi. A 300 pixel per inch resolution is standard for digital scrapbooking projects, digi papers and art.
2. Add a background paper and your photo(s).
I like to add art and images by using the File Menu > Place command. You can also open the files separately and “drag and drop” them onto the blank page. Make sure your photos are in their final position before moving on.
You should now have at least 3 layers: A white background layer, your paper, and your photo(s.)
3. Duplicate the paper layer.
Click once on your paper layer to select it, duplicate it (Ctrl+J), and drag the new paper layer above any photo layers.
This will make a kind of “paper” sandwich with your photo in between two of the same papers. You will not be able to see your photo until the next step.
4. Add a “Color” Layer style to the new paper layer.
Your photo will now appear again through the top paper and be tinted with your paper color. Paper textures may also show through.
Here is my sample file after step 4. (See more sample paper colors in step 5.)
NOTE: While you do not have to have the bottom paper layer for the overall effect to work, it lets you be messier when masking to the edges of your photo in step 5. With it, you can also try decreasing the opacity of the top paper layer, which will tint your photo less, while keeping the paper looking solid.
5. Here is the really fun part! Create a layer mask and paint black on the mask to bring back colors.
A mask is just a way of hiding areas, so what we are really doing is hiding some of the top paper so it shows the full color photo underneath. We could use an eraser tool on this top paper layer, but a mask allows us to fix mistakes much easier.
To add a Layer Mask to the top paper layer, make sure this top layer is still selected and push the “Add Layer Mask” button located in the layers palette. Your Layer should look like this:
Now select the brush tool, and from the top properties bar choose a soft round brush.
You will need to paint with a black color, so make sure the foreground color is black (the top large square in the toolbox.) You can do this quickly be clicking the tiny black and white squares above the foreground/background boxes. If the white is at the top, click the tiny double arrow to switch them. (Yes, that’s a whole lot of tiny buttons in one space!)
Before brushing, click once on the new white square next to your paper thumbnail in the layers palette to select the mask. Now begin to brush over your photo anywhere you want the color to come back. Use a large brush size at first and don’t worry about the edges. When you have most of the area brushed over, you can switch to a smaller brush to get the more detailed edges. Remember to zoom in if you are having trouble brushing edges.
Your mask layer will look something like this:
If you go too far, you can remove color by switching to a white brush color. Switch between black and white brushing until you have just the areas of full color you want showing.
Here is my sample layout after this step:
Your effect will vary depending on the color of your paper. (White paper will make your photo black and white.) Here are some different variations.
6. Now just add embellishments and text and you are done!
Supplies:
• Brown background paper: Reflections Paper Pack, Bevin Dunn
• Paper Flourish: Marigold Bed and Breakfast Kit, Bevin Dunn
• Pink Frame: Marigold Vintage Frames Kit, Bevin Dunn
• Fonts: “Ugly Qua” and “The King and Queen.”
You can find designer Bevin Dunn’s original digital scrapbooking supplies, class schedule and more at her website, www.digitalginger.com.
To find the products mentioned in this article and shown in this layout, check with your local scrapbook retailer. Browse our Premier Retail Stores for coupons to a store near you.
