Photoshop Tutorial: Black and White with Red Accent Effect
Creating the Selective Red Color Effect
The striking visual of a black and white image punctuated by a single, vibrant red element is a frequently seen effect. This tutorial details a swift method for achieving this look in Photoshop, and it’s readily adaptable for use in GIMP as well.
A Beginner-Friendly Technique
This guide is specifically designed for those new to Photoshop. The techniques employed are easily transferable to GIMP, given the similarities in the toolsets available within both applications.
For users with more experience, an alternative, more complex method is available. Feel free to share your own approaches in the comments section to assist those just starting out.
The process is remarkably quick, allowing you to implement this effect in approximately ten seconds.
Tools and Software
- Photoshop or GIMP: Either program can be used to replicate this effect.
- Basic layer and selection skills are helpful, but not strictly required.
A Rapid Technique: Isolating a Single Color
Begin with a photograph of suitable quality. Any image can be utilized, and the isolated color isn’t limited to red. However, selecting an image with a distinct focal point, or an element to emphasize through color, is recommended.
The Eyedropper tool can be quickly accessed using the shortcut key
Choose a color that represents the typical shade you intend to isolate. While multiple shades of red may be present, as in the example of the red car, select a representative “middle” tone from the area shown.
Proceed to Select > Color Range.
A selection can be generated based on the color previously chosen. Carefully examine the preview image while adjusting the “Fuzziness” slider. The goal is to have the majority of the target color (red in this instance) appear white in the preview. Confirm your selection by pressing “OK”.
For experienced users, this tool can isolate primary colors by changing the dropdown menu to the desired option. This screenshot can be disregarded if you are following the beginner tutorial.
Upon clicking “OK” in the Color Range dialog, a selection of the chosen color (red, in this case) will be created.
Press
to invert the selection; the rest of the image will now be selected instead of the red areas of the car.
to desaturate the selected area instantly. Navigate to Select > Deselect to view the changes. Since this process is performed on a single background layer, remember to use “Save As” to create a copy of your photograph, avoiding overwriting the original.
For GIMP users, similar selections and effects can be achieved using the “Select by Color” tool, found under Tools > Selection Tools > By Color Select. The Threshold can be adjusted in the toolbar, and results viewed in the “Selection Editor” panel, accessible via Select > Selection Editor.
Method Two: Isolating Specific Colors Using Layers
It’s probable that many viewers have encountered this particular image at least once, even during routine internet browsing. Let's apply a stylistic change to Jimmy’s portrait by specifically isolating the color present in his eyes. This second technique is best suited for those with a moderate degree of familiarity with Photoshop’s functionalities.
Begin by creating a preliminary selection utilizing the Quick Selection Tool, accessible via the shortcut “W.”. The precision of this initial selection isn’t critical, as demonstrated above, though greater accuracy is certainly achievable, or any preferred selection method can be employed.
Selections have now been established for both eyes. Press
to generate a new layer based on these selections.
It’s important to note that we are utilizing the background layer in this tutorial. Some Photoshop users prefer to avoid direct modifications to the background layer; therefore, before proceeding, Save As to create a duplicate, or simply right-click the background layer to duplicate it. Following this step (or choosing to disregard this advice), navigate to either the Background or Background Copy layer within your Layers Panel.
Press
to remove color saturation from the background portion of the image, leaving only the eyes on a distinct layer.
Press
to activate the eraser tool. Users familiar with layer masks may opt to create one to mask out unwanted portions of the isolated color (eyes, in this instance) layer. However, for those new to Photoshop, utilizing the eraser tool directly may prove more straightforward. Ensure you’ve selected the “eyes” layer in your Layers Panel before beginning to erase, removing any unwanted elements from the selection.
The eyes in Jimmy’s portrait are relatively subtle, necessitating an increase in saturation. Remaining within our isolated color layer, we can now adjust the Hue/Saturation settings to enhance the color.
Press
to access the Hue/Saturation controls.
We modify our color layer as illustrated above. The “Colorize” option is enabled, and the sliders are adjusted to render his eyes a vibrant, saturated blue that distinctly contrasts with the grayscale background.
The final image is now complete. Numerous alternative approaches exist to achieve this same effect, including the utilization of layer masks and adjustment layers. If you possess a preferred technique for this process, please share it in the comments below with other readers!
Image Credits: Corvette 1958 by Softeis, available under Creative Commons. Jimmy Wales by Manuel Archain, available under Creative Commons.
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