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Colorizing_and_Tinting
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Subj: Colorizing FX 95-01-11 15:26:37 EST
From: TomLuth
I've uploaded a file (only 48k!) that includes this text and sample image, along
with a grey scale tester that should be available shortly.
Here's one of my favorite tricks for coloring black and white photos. I call it
the Colorvir effect after the Edwal Colorvir toner kits used to tint fiber based
prints back in the pre-digital days.
Open a greyscale image, and convert to RGB. Open the KPT Gradient designer, and
make the gradient a solid, dark color. (gradients will work, sometimes with very
nice results, but that's a different effect!) Select difference mode. You can now
preview the colors to see the results you can expect. Generally, if I'm trying to
preserve any hint of reality, I will use very dark, sometimes muted, colors. In
difference mode, black will be colored the same as the selected color, and white
will be the direct opposite. Therefore, if I select a deep Burnt Orange, this
will be my shadow color, while a pale blue will be in the highlights. Play with a
wide variety of colors to get the feel for this. Brighter colors often simulate
solarization and sabatier effects. Sorta like Bob Carlos Clark in a box!
I've found that the effect frequently blends smoothly up to one point, and then
makes a sharp shift to the opposite color. To test this, I use a small greyscale
file with values from 0% t0 100% black are indicated in 10% increments. If I find
that a particular color causes a sharp change at 80%, and I don't want such a
pronounced effect, I can use curves or levels to push my greyscale image below
80%, producing a softer effect.
Variations on a theme: Try creating a gradient made of very subtle variations. I
like one that is a medium blue grey, moving to a medium red grey that produces
nice metalic effects in difference mode. KPT Texture explorer has a difference
mode too, you know. Try loding some of these subtle gradients into that! Have fun!
TomLuth
Ed. Note - this can also be done by creating a new layer in Photoshop 3.0,
filling it with your color(s) and setting the layer mode to difference. Using
layers also allows you to play with the opacity and blending.