How to Make a Black & White Picture Have a Color Part

Coloring photographs by hand is the adult version of the coloring book. The task can also be accomplished on the computer.

Hand-coloring photographs, whether partially or in full, is a centuries-old technique that predates color photography. Photo painting is like an advanced coloring book for adults. It takes practice, skill, patience and a knowledge of color and shading to create a realistic coloring. In digital photography and with the aid of the computer, the process of selecting a single area to have color is made much easier. Both methods produce unique works of art.

Things You'll Need

• Photograph
• Photo-editing program
• Photo oils
• Paintbrush, cotton swabs and toothpicks
• Matte- or fiber-base photo paper

Instructions

By Hand

1. Clean the photograph of any dust or grime by gently rubbing it with a clean, dry cloth.

2. Mix together your photo oils and begin painting. Hand-coloring photographs requires the use of specific photo oils. These oils are permanent and generally come in small tubes available at most photography and art supply stores. Use a fine paintbrush, cotton swabs, toothpicks or any applicator that suits your need best.

3. Allow the painted print to dry completely before touching or framing

On the Computer

1. Open your photo in a photo-editing program. The photo must first be in color to obtain the full true colors of the desired colored part. (If the photo is a scanned black and white, you will have to individually paint the selection with the "Brush Tool" by hand to achieve realistic color.)

2. Click on the "Magnetic Lasso" selection tool, or other tool that allows for free-hand selection. While holding the mouse button down continuously, trace the part the you wish to keep in color. Copy and paste the selected part by pressing "Ctrl" and "C" simultaneously. Paste by pressing "Ctrl" and "V" simultaneously.

3. Pull up the "Layers" box, or other application pallet, that shows which layer is selected. There will be two layers on the box; one the original photo and the other the pasted selection. Select the original layer.

4. Convert the photo to black and white. Make sure to only change the image and not the entire document (that is, do not convert the photo by changing the mode to "Grayscale") as you want to keep the selected part in color. The background (original) photo will be converted to black and white, leaving the pasted selection in color.

Tips & Warnings

• When coloring photographs by hand, make sure you print the photograph on fiber-base paper or matte-finish photo paper. Photo oils will not adhere to glossy finished print paper.

• Remember that all photo-editing programs are different, so be sure to refer to your user's guide.

References

• Photolinks: Handcoloring