How to Replace a Color in Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop allows the user to change or replace a color in an entire image based on a color selection. Experts use mask layers to block out all areas they do not want effected. In this example, we will replace the color of the entire image background to create an artistic effect.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop 6.0 or later running on a MAC or PC
• A copy of an image for manipulation

1. 
   Replace Color Palette

   Open your image in Adobe Photoshop and select IMAGE/ADJUST/COLOR REPLACEMENT to display the REPLACE COLOR palette. Use the eyedropper tool to select the color you want to replace. In this case we need to add other areas to the selection to make sure we change the entire background. Use the PLUS Eyedropper tool to add areas and the MINUS eyedropper tool to remove areas from your selection.

2. 
   After selection

   Once you have made all your selections you will see the color you are going to replace in the SAMPLE area. Note the sample area is no longer black and now contains the color of the background we want to replace.

3. 
   Setting the HUE

   For purposes of illustration we have made a dramatic change to the HUE. We have added 164 to the HUE using the slider bar. Since saturation and lightness are not an issue, we have not changed them. The SAMPLE window now shows the color we will change to.

4. 
   Final image

   Notice the dramatic change in hue. Also notice that the hue is not even and looks different in the upper right hand corner. This is due to not fully including this area when we made our selection.

Tips & Warnings

• This will only work well on certain images. Use it to change the color of flowers or to change backgrounds.
• You may use the magic wand tool to select your are prior to selecting replace color.
• Experiment with fuzziness to blur the lines of you selection
• Changes are permanent, use a copy of your image

Resources

• Adobe Photoshop