Using the History Brush in Photoshop: Partial Color Imaging Re-visited
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In the past, I’ve posted partial color images, but the effect was achieved using Picasa 2. This time, with the help of Revver user jennyrusks (and owner of Laughing Lion Design), we’re going to tackle another way to get this powerful effect, only this time in Photoshop.
The process is simple: open image, desaturate image, bring color back with the history brush. If you’ve never used the history brush before, then this is for you. Sit back, watch the show and then fall in love with another Photoshop tool.
Check back on Tuesday to see my attempt at history brushing!
This post has 8 comments
July 28th, 2008
What’s the advantage of the History brush over using layers? Duplicate the original image as a second layer. Desaturate the first layer. Go to the second layer. Use the Quick Selection tool to select the rose. Inverse selection. Delete selection. Seems that would be quicker and more flexible than using a brush.
dcrs last blog post..July Blog Earnings Guessaway
Maybe because I don’t have CS3 mister smarty pants. ;-)
July 28th, 2008
Very cool- I like Dan’s suggestion two, but I like to use the brushes in photoshop it makes me fees like an artist… ;O) Plus I have a hard time selecting things- if I am corect about what he is saying. I think you have to outline it first to select it… maybe I am wrong.
I do use techniques like this for digital scrapbooking so bring em’ on!
I see my entrecard ad is on your site- thanks so much.
Michelle Gartners last blog post..Lefty from Sesame Street- the Original Pusher Man
After seeing Dan’s comment about the Quick Selection tool, I looked it up and think that’s probably the best way to go about it. I’ve got to upgrade.
Entrecard: you’re very welcome. :)
July 28th, 2008
Michelle, you’re thinking of the Lasso tool, not the Quick Selection tool. There’s also the Magic Wand Selection tool, but that probably wouldn’t work as well in this example.
dcrs last blog post..July Blog Earnings Guessaway
Magic wand should be removed from the next release. I rarely use it because it\’s so irritating. The new tools and now have pretty much phased it out. But I guess pulling the magic wand would be akin to killing a family member.
July 28th, 2008
The Quick Selection tool isn’t in CS2? Well, I went from version 7 to CS3, so I don’t know what’s in CS2.
What do you mean get rid of the Magic Wand? I use that a lot! You know you can adjust the tolerance on it, don’t you?
dcrs last blog post..July Blog Earnings Guessaway
I don’t believe it is a CS2 tool. I’m running the slightly pared down education version and it’s not there.
I jest about the magic wand. It’s got a place in my heart, but I’m becoming incredibly partial to the image extraction dialogue. I have a low tolerance for constantly adjusting the tolerance. It’s great for high-contrast stuff. Anything else exceeds my patience threshold. Extract rules!
July 28th, 2008
Extract? Yuck. Too bitmappy unless you spend a lot of time with it, in which case you could have just used the selection tools to begin with.
dcrs last blog post..July Blog Earnings Guessaway
Nah, I’ve had lots of luck with it. Yes, it’s a bit sensitive, but you just have to talk nice to it in a low voice with some Barry White playing in the background. :D
July 29th, 2008
Hmm, I just duplicate the layer and use the eraser tool. at least now I know how to use the history brush though! :D
Chicas last blog post..My First ruby tuesday…
There’s another way. :)
July 29th, 2008
I used the technique Chica describes with the eraser to do the headlock on Dan here- that’s a good one.
http://www.oneofakindwis.com/archives/362
Love the headlock. But if I recall, he did one of you…
July 29th, 2008
Hi Pete
Thanks for including my video, glad you found it helpful. As your other readers pointed out, there are nearly always more than one way to do something in Photoshop and this is not the only use for the history brush. You could do the same effect with the sponge tool and just desaturate everything except the flowers - again you’d be using a brush. But that’s the joy of photoshop, lots of different techniques to try.
Thanks for stopping by! I agree, you can do just about anything in Photoshop via a dozen different methods. I’ve never worked with the sponge, so I’ll give that a go sometime.
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