Selectively removing colour

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Before image

After image

These two images are different in one very small detail: The semi colour image has the main object in colour, but the background is greyscale.

By the way, for this tutorial I used an image from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1054454

So lets get to work!

We have to somehow extract the main object from the background, convert the background to greyscale while remaining the Butterflys colours.

1. Open the image in Photoshop
2. Go to Layers Palette
3. Duplicate the Background Layer. Simply grab the Background Layer and drag it onto New Layer Icon in the bottom right corner of the Layers Palette

Create a new layer in Photoshop

Duplicate layer visible

4. Now we have to convert the top layer to greyscale. In older Photoshop youd probably use the Hue/Saturation command which is quite good, so go to Image>Adjustments>Hue/Saturation or simply hit Ctrl+U keyboard shortcut

Hue / saturation settings

5. Set the Saturation Value to -100 by sliding the bar to far left
6. Hit OK
7. If youre using Photoshop CS4 its nicer to use Black & White Command (Image>Adjustments>Black&White or Alt+Shift+Ctrl+B shortcut) with these settings

Photoshop CS4 Black and White command

8. Once youve converted the top layer to greyscale, we have mask the area where the Butterfly is. To do this select the top layer and click Add Layer Mask button on the bottom of the Layer Palette

Select the Black and White layer

After that you Layer Palette should look like this

Layer mask added

9. Now pick the Brush Tool and set Foreground colour to Black

Select the Brush tool

10. Select top layer with the layer mask, click on the mask and start painting around the Butterfly. Use Left Bracket Key to increase and Right Bracket to decrease brush size. You can also Hold Shift and Left or Right Bracket to soften the edges of the brush.

11. You have to paint all over the Butterfly including all small and nasty details. As you do it you will see the colourful Butterfly revealing.

From Black and White to recoloured