When a little goes a long way (Black/white with a dab of color)

At times, the image we create is visually appealing in a way that we fail to notice the more specific detail of our intended subject. And, sometimes, it seems as if the audience just needs it spelled out for them. Also, there are moments in advertising/publishing where a customer/client wants an object highlighted or "spotlighted" as an accent that pulls the observer in to that one single item of an image.

  

• Create a new folder in your Digital Photography folder and call it "A Splash of Color" (If you have not done so already)
• Download this image of a delicious Milkshake and save it in your "A Splash of Color" folder
• Create a Layer Adjustment Mask to convert your image to Black and White
• Use the pen tool to draw around and select an item in a photo - BE SURE "PATH" IS SELECTED AND NOT "SHAPE"
  
• Make a selection of the pen tooled item by "Right Clicking" the mouse and then selecting "Make Selection."
• Using black paint, color in the selected area. This will allow your color layer to show through.
  
• Save the document as a Photoshop document, titled "Delicious Milkshake" in your "A Splash of Color" folder

1. Take pictures of at least Twelve (12) different and unique items (from around the school) and repeat this same process. Be specific and selective in your shooting. The idea is that you target something that will look nice once it's been outlined with the pen tool and then provided with color versus the remainder of the image that will be in black/white.
2. Remember that the image you shoot is still subject to judgment of whether it is a good, compelling image that tells a story in and of itself.
3. Be sure to use Color Correction (Curves adjustment layers in Photoshop) for all of your images (even though they will be converted to Black and White). The Curves adjustment layer should be stacked between your Black and White Adjustment Layer and your actual photograph layer.
4. Store all of your edited images in your "A Splash of Color" folder with the images titled as "SOC" in numerical sequence like this. Your files may/may not have the little blue Photoshop Icon next to them. As long as the "Type" says "Adobe Photoshop," that's all that really matters.