De-saturating with brush

G
Posted By
grahamtav
Jun 27, 2007
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283
Replies
10
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Closed
Is it possible to use an adjustment layer and a brush to de-saturate parts of a colour image?

If it is possible I would grateful for the some help and advice.

I just need to de-saturate some areas of the image.
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C
chrisjbirchall
Jun 27, 2007
* Make a Hue/Sat Adjustment Layer.

* Drop the Saturation Slider fully to the left.

* Paint on the layer mask with a brush to reveal colour as required.
JJ
John_Joslin
Jun 27, 2007
Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and set the saturation to -100.

Fill the layer mask of the adjustment layer with black.

Paint with a white brush to reveal the desaturated areas.
G
grahamtav
Jun 27, 2007
Chris

Thanks for you prompt reply

What I am trying to do is create a hole in the layer mask where the de-saturation is. Say I de-saturate a black coat so it becomes grey.
I then add a red colour layer under the mask so that the red will colourise the coat – with the right blending mode.

I hope this is clear.
C
chrisjbirchall
Jun 27, 2007
Not really Graham. You cannot "desaturate" black. (nor white, nor any shade of grey) You can only "desaturate" colour.

If you could explain in more detail (perhaps posting and example too) exactly what it is you are trying to achieve, we could offer more specific solutions.

Chris
JJ
John_Joslin
Jun 27, 2007
I was a bit slow posting my answer – the kettle boiled just as I was about to click on "Post Message"

To make black grey you need to select the area and use something like a Levels adjustment layer to reduce the blackness.

Then reselect the area and use a Solid Colour adjustment layer, changing its opacity and blending mode to get the desired effect.
C
chrisjbirchall
Jun 27, 2007
Mine’s black with no sugar please John. 😉
G
grahamtav
Jun 27, 2007
Thanks for your advice so far – I will try and explain more simply.

I start with a colour image.

Lets say we have a image of a lady with dark brown/black hair. Using a layer mask I would like to lighten her hair to a desaturated light colour.

Where I have painted the de-saturation effect I have a ‘hole’ in my layer mask.

I would now like to colour the hair of the lady to say ginger or blonde but having a colour mask under the first layer.

I appreciate your time!!
JJ
John_Joslin
Jun 27, 2007
If you reselect, the original "hole" will be selected.

Then apply the Solid Colour adjustment layer and play with Opacity and blending mode:

<http://imageshack.us><br/>Shot at 2007-06-27
G
grahamtav
Jun 27, 2007
John

That’s precisely what I was looking for – thanks for your time!!
JJ
John_Joslin
Jun 27, 2007
Glad to help!

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