Image processing: black and white with color

With the so-called color key effect, you can highlight an element in a black and white image by means of color.

Image processing - this is how you "color" the image in black and white

First of all, you should convert a color image to a black and white image.

1. First select the (colored) image that you want to edit. Open this picture in an image editing program (Photoshop, GIMP etc.).
2. Now first cut out the area that should keep its color. To do this, use the "Scissors" or "Free selection" tool. If you set connection points and link them with one another, you have selected the desired area.
3. Now select the "Invert" command. In the GIMP you can do this with the key combination Ctrl + l. This is how you select the other area of ​​the image.


Black and white picture with one color - this is how you can achieve this effect

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A black and white picture with a prominent color is also called a color key ...

4. Now you can "color" this image area in black and white. To do this, click on "Colors / Colorize". Then set the saturation to 0. You can adjust the brightness according to your own wishes and ideas.

Make an object stand out through color and contrast

Now you are with that image editing almost finished. You should only emphasize the object in question through color and contrast.

1. Now select "Invert" again to put the selection back on the object that should keep its color.
2. Now select the menu item "Colors / Brightness" and the sub-item "Contrast"
3. Now set the contrast a little higher so that the colored object comes into its own.
4. Now select "Select nothing" to be able to review your work. You can of course make other improvements if you want.
5. Finally, don't forget to save!

Have fun!