Colorizing with Layers
by Jeri Holt @
Fine Art with Digital Eyes
and . .
. my world with
Digital Eyes . . .
Note: I no longer do photo
restoration but several of my images are included in the "Heritage" section on
my web site.
When I exhibit my colorized historical restorations, I
often get people who come up and tell me how they used to colorize black and
white photos using paints. One lady talked about how she used to colorize
photographs and then observed that I had it so much easier because I “didn’t
even have to stay between the lines.”
I think that this attitude is prevalent towards any digital
photo work. There is a lack of understanding of the digital workflow and the
skills required to do an effective digital project.
Colorizing an image, especially an older photo where there
is no historical indication of color or texture, calls on the artistic senses of
the colorist. Identifying the mood and atmosphere of the photo’s subject and
successfully using color and light to enhance this feeling often requires an
artist’s eye and broad interpretive powers.
I will be going through the workflow process of adding
color to a standard image using Adobe PhotoShop 6 or 7. The image I'm using for
illustration is approximately 80 years old.
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Before we begin, a word of caution: DO NOT use the
colorize option to try to colorize an image! There is a check off box under
“Image”4“Adjust”4“Hue/Saturation”
which says “Colorize.” (see image to right)
This applies an overall tone to an image. For example,
you can turn the image sepia to simulate an old photo with this tool. This
option is similar to putting a colored filter over the lens of a standard
camera. If you do use this option, bear in mind that the color
it applies is the selected foreground color in your tool pallet, and it will
cover the entire image.
Next - Layer
usage in the Colorization Process
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© 2004
withDigitalEyes/JeriAnn Holt
http://www.withdigitaleyes.com
http://JeriHolt.com
P. O. Box 250
Windsor, Maine 04363
207.445.4062