Converting to Monochrome and Restoring Colour to Selected Areas

Here's how to change this image:

...into to this image:

Here's another tip from Club member George Hay. This time how to use Photoshop to convert a full colour image into monochrome but also leave an area in its original colour. Click on the images below for a full size version of each figure mentioned here.

1. Open image in Photoshop – Figure 1
   
2. Go to adjustment layers and select Channel Mixer, and Create new channel layer – Figure 2.
3. Tick the small box at the top left Monochrome – Figure 3.
4. Make sure the background and foreground colours are set to black and white, press D on the keyboard. – Figure 4.
5. Make sure the Layer Mask on the Channel Mixer Layer is highlighted, white line around layer mask. – Figure 5.
6. Make sure that black is selected for the foreground colour, choose the paint brush tool then paint over the area you wish to bring back the colour. If you make a mistake change the foreground to white and paint over to restore.

This method can be used to convert the image to monochrome before any adjustments are made to the image, and adjustment layers used to create the desired effect. A fully adjusted colour image can be converted and colour restored to desired areas.