Colorizing an Image ... The Easy Way!

Here’s my way of "Colorizing," which means to create an image that has a foreground image (or any part of it) in color and a black&white background using Photoshop Elements. I’ve seen so many questions about this technique lately, that I just had to step up and do this step-by-step.

Actually, this colorizing process can be used in any imaging software program that includes the ability to create Layers, the Clone Stamp Tool and some way to "desaturate."

Choose an image that lends itself to this process. I like to do it with close-ups of flowers, but I’ve also colorized shots of people, pets and pieces of furniture.

For this demonstration I’ve chosen a close-up of a Gardenia blossom in my back yard.



Step #1 - I’ve resized the image in Photoshop Elements 4 (Mac version. The same steps apply if you’re working with Elements 5 (PC), and - with slight differences - in any full version of Photoshop.

I’ve chosen 8x12 inches, and, of course, a resolution of 300 dpi.



Step #2 - Use your choice of Selection tools to create a border around the flower. I used the Magnetic Lasso tool in this example.



Step #3 - After you’ve copied your Selection, create a New Layer, and Paste the selection on it.



Step #4 - In the Layers menu, Reselect the Background. Then choose Enhance>Adjust Color>Hue & Saturation. Pull the Saturation Slider all the way to the left (to 0%) and click OK.



Your background should now be - effectively - black & white.

Save your changes (Of course, if you haven’t already done so, you should choose Save As and give this file a new name so that you’ve don’t destroy your Original.

You’re Done colorizing.... Now Try adding a Frame Border!!!!



The final version of the image has a really interesting border around it. (Scroll down and peek!)

 

Add A Border ... To Your Colorized Image!!!

Now ... Let's put a Border around your Colorized Image that'll make it look like it's been matted.

Use the Colorized image you just created ...



And then do this:
Step #5 - Choose New Layer. Then select All. Now go to Edit>Stroke. Choose Inside. Make the color White and choose a pixel size of, say, 200. This step usually takes a couple of seconds ... so be patient.

When it’s done your images should look like this.



Step #6 - Now, choose Edit>Stroke AGAIN. Change the pixel size to 185, and the Color to Black (or whatever color you think your “Mat” should be). Click OK...and, yeah, wait a couple of seconds!



Now you should have an image that looks like this.



Final Step - (This one isn’t necessary, but it’s fun!) Use the Magic Wand tool to select just the black border.



Then go to Filter>Texture>Texturizer and choose a texture like Canvas or Burlap. Fiddle around with the Scale and Relief settings to see the different effects. Click OK when you’re happy with it.



Once you’ve completed this entire process, it’s a good idea to look very closely at the edges of your flower (or whatever the colored part of your image) and, if necessary use the Erase tool to fine tune the edges.

You're done!