I want to reduce the number of colors

On Feb 12, 12:22 pm, DJ W wrote:

I would like to reduce the number of colors in a photograph to say 10 colors. without using the posterize command. I would like to take a photo turn it into a monochromatic photo and then reduce the colors down to a point where I would have areas defined but hard lines denoting each color shift. I played with getting the colors in one monochromatic rage but can’t figure how to get it down to say 10 separate color tones.

This sounds really interesting. Can you post an example of or link to the desired outcome? Are you trying to have a vectorized look?

DJ W wrote:

I would like to reduce the number of colors in a photograph to say 10 colors. without using the posterize command. I would like to take a photo turn it into a monochromatic photo and then reduce the colors down to a point where I would have areas defined but hard lines denoting each color shift. I played with getting the colors in one monochromatic rage but can’t figure how to get it down to say 10 separate color tones.

Switch/Convert to GIF or similar format then you can reduce the color.

On Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:31:12 -0600, Joel wrote:

DJ W wrote:

I would like to reduce the number of colors in a photograph to say 10 colors. without using the posterize command. I would like to take a photo turn it into a monochromatic photo and then reduce the colors down to a point where I would have areas defined but hard lines denoting each color shift. I played with getting the colors in one monochromatic rage but can’t figure how to get it down to say 10 separate color tones.

Switch/Convert to GIF or similar format then you can reduce the color.

I used to do this with a photso I converted to black and white and then indexed the colors to seperate 6 shades to print white-4 shades of grey – and black to get a near photo result in a t-shirt.

Danged if I can remember how I did it though. That was 12 years ago….. let me think about it and I am sure I will muddle through the process again.

Damned old memory!

Do you want this for a color or a B&W image?

On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:22:59 -0800 (PST), DJ W
wrote:

I would like to reduce the number of colors in a photograph to say 10 colors. without using the posterize command. I would like to take a photo turn it into a monochromatic photo and then reduce the colors down to a point where I would have areas defined but hard lines denoting each color shift. I played with getting the colors in one monochromatic rage but can’t figure how to get it down to say 10 separate color tones.

OK. I think I might have what you are looking for…..

You need to be working with an 8 bit image. Under Image/Mode select 8 bit if not alreadt set at that.

Then you want to select Image/Indexed Colors. This brings up the Indexed Color edit window. Play with the adjustments and see what you get. I used Forced: WEB and was allowed a low limit of 217 colors. To get a 10 color range I had to go either B&W or Primaries in the FORCED drop down.

Not sure if this is going to do what you want but I hope it helps some.

Remember – Alwqays work on a copy.

On Feb 14, 6:38 am, wrote:

On Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:31:12 -0600, Joel wrote:

DJ W wrote:

I would like to reduce the number of colors in a photograph to say 10 colors. without using the posterize command. I would like to take a photo turn it into a monochromatic photo and then reduce the colors down to a point where I would have areas defined but hard lines denoting each color shift. I played with getting the colors in one monochromatic rage but can’t figure how to get it down to say 10 separate color tones.

Switch/Convert to GIF or similar format then you can reduce the color.

I used to do this with a photso I converted to black and white and then indexed the colors to seperate 6 shades to print white-4 shades of grey – and black to get a near photo result in a t-shirt.
Danged if I can remember how I did it though. That was 12 years ago….. let me think about it and I am sure I will muddle through the process again.

Damned old memory!

Do you want this for a color or a B&W image?

Color either monochromatic with 6 or so colors or say 8 or 10 colors

On Sun, 14 Feb 2010 08:25:43 -0800 (PST), DJ W
wrote:

On Feb 14, 6:38 am, wrote:

On Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:31:12 -0600, Joel wrote:

DJ W wrote:

I would like to reduce the number of colors in a photograph to say 10 colors. without using the posterize command. I would like to take a photo turn it into a monochromatic photo and then reduce the colors down to a point where I would have areas defined but hard lines denoting each color shift. I played with getting the colors in one monochromatic rage but can’t figure how to get it down to say 10 separate color tones.

Switch/Convert to GIF or similar format then you can reduce the color.

I used to do this with a photso I converted to black and white and then indexed the colors to seperate 6 shades to print white-4 shades of grey – and black to get a near photo result in a t-shirt.
Danged if I can remember how I did it though. That was 12 years ago….. let me think about it and I am sure I will muddle through the process again.

Damned old memory!

Do you want this for a color or a B&W image?

Color either monochromatic with 6 or so colors or say 8 or 10 colors

Ahhh, You can use this method to isolate color ranges then and go back in, mask and paint possibly?

Maybe do the range in B&W and then paint the mask in what ever color you choose.

wrote:

On Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:31:12 -0600, Joel wrote:

DJ W wrote:

I would like to reduce the number of colors in a photograph to say 10 colors. without using the posterize command. I would like to take a photo turn it into a monochromatic photo and then reduce the colors down to a point where I would have areas defined but hard lines denoting each color shift. I played with getting the colors in one monochromatic rage but can’t figure how to get it down to say 10 separate color tones.

Switch/Convert to GIF or similar format then you can reduce the color.

I used to do this with a photso I converted to black and white and then indexed the colors to seperate 6 shades to print white-4 shades of grey – and black to get a near photo result in a t-shirt.
Danged if I can remember how I did it though. That was 12 years ago….. let me think about it and I am sure I will muddle through the process again.

Damned old memory!

I did that when I was creating web page, or I used to create Animated GIF for web pages.

Do you want this for a color or a B&W image?

B&W and Indexed (GIF format or similar) are 2 different beasts.

wrote:

On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:22:59 -0800 (PST), DJ W
wrote:

I would like to reduce the number of colors in a photograph to say 10 colors. without using the posterize command. I would like to take a photo turn it into a monochromatic photo and then reduce the colors down to a point where I would have areas defined but hard lines denoting each color shift. I played with getting the colors in one monochromatic rage but can’t figure how to get it down to say 10 separate color tones.

OK. I think I might have what you are looking for…..

You need to be working with an 8 bit image. Under Image/Mode select 8 bit if not alreadt set at that.

Then you want to select Image/Indexed Colors. This brings up the Indexed Color edit window. Play with the adjustments and see what you get. I used Forced: WEB and was allowed a low limit of 217 colors. To get a 10 color range I had to go either B&W or Primaries in the FORCED drop down.

Not sure if this is going to do what you want but I hope it helps some.

Remember – Alwqays work on a copy.

Well, if you want to use Indexed Colors format then you DO NOT want to have too many colors as the FILE SIZE will be HUGE.

IOW, if you just want few color (like 6-16 etc.) then it’s fine, but if you start with somewhere around 26-32 or more then the file SIZE is probably larger than JPG