How to Convert a Black & White Photograph to Color
There are a variety of software programs that make it possible to color a black-and-white photograph. They range in price from free to fairly costly. GIMP is an open-source graphics program that includes a free photo editor. More expensive options include Adobe Photoshop and Corel PaintShop Pro. Changing the photo mode to color is not enough -- the photo will still look black and white. Add color using tools found in your photo-editing software.
Instructions
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1
Open the image in GIMP and save it using the .xcf format. If using Photoshop or PaintShop, save the image in the format native to that program.
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2
Create a layer for every section you will be coloring a different color and name each layer.
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3
Change each layer mode to "Multiply." Doing this will allow the photo below to show through.
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4
Decide which layer to work on and make the other layers invisible by clicking on the eyeball next to each layer.
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5
In the layers palette, right-click on the layer you want to work on and choose "Add Layer Mask" from the menu.
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6
In the dialog box, select the "White (Full Opacity)" option, and click "Add" to add the mask. The layers palette will now show a white box next to the image thumbnail, which represents the mask. A layer mask allows you to erase parts of a layer by painting on the mask. White reveals the layer, black totally blocks it, and tones of gray partly reveal it.
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7
Zoom in on the section you are coloring in the photo so that it fills your workspace.
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8
Select the "Paintbrush" tool, choosing the correct size of round brush for the job, and set opacity to 100 percent.
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9
Press "D" to set the foreground color to black or choose black from the color palette.
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10
Click on the layer mask thumbnail in the layers palette and begin to paint.
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11
Repeat Steps 4 through 10 for each section you wish to color.
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Tips & Warnings
When you paint, use the bracket keys to increase or decrease the size of the brush.
"[" makes the brush smaller, "]" makes the brush larger, "Shift" and "[" makes the brush softer and "Shift" and "]" makes the brush harder.
If you consider the tint you used too dark or light, change the mode to "Screen" or "Overlay" (instead of "Multiply") or reduce the opacity of that layer.
To change a layer's color, select the layer itself, not its layer mask, and use the "Paint Bucket" to select a new color.
Errors can be undone by pressing "Ctrl+Z."
Adjust the darkness or lightness of a layer by dodging the highlights and burning the shadows. To choose the "Dodge/Burn" tool, press "Shift" and "D."
Be sure to save your work. Ideally, you should save every time you complete a section and again when you finish working on the picture.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit stock photo of lady gangster image by Tracy Martinez from Fotolia.com
