Red Umbrella

An Adjustment Layer is a layer that changes the properties of the layers below it. For example, the Adjustment Layer below ensures that all layers below it are black and white.

You can see that this layer also has a mask (the white thumbnail). That means you can let the effect of the layer be partially visible.

The color photo below has been made black and white with an Adjustment Layer. The mask of this layer contains black areas at the location of the red lines of the umbrella.

With masks, think of the mnemonic: “Black Blocks”. In other words: the black parts in the mask block the adjustment to black and white, so the color remains there.

1. Open the Umbrella.jpg image in Photoshop and unlock the background layer.

Selecting red with “Color Range”

1. Choose Select > Color Range.
2. Set Selection Preview to Black Matte so you can better see what is being selected.
3. Set Fuzziness to 50.
4. Click with the color picker on the red of the umbrella. Hold down Shift to add colors to your selection or Alt to remove colors from your selection.
5. When the red strips are perfectly selected (note the edges), click OK.

Create a Mask with the selection

6. Now click in the Layers palette on New Adjustment Layer and choose Black/White.
7. Invert the mask with CMD-I (black becomes white and vice versa).
8. Touch up the mask with a white brush for the elements that should not remain colored (such as the backpack and the church tower).

TIP: You can view your mask with Alt-click on the mask thumbnail.

9. Double-click the icon of the Black&White Adjustment-Layer. Adjust the black-white tones until you’re satisfied with the result.
10. If you’re done, save your work with a clear and logical name as a PSD.

If all went well, your…

• Mask contains only umbrella red, ie the mask is accurate.
• Mask contains all umbrella red, i.e. the mask is complete.
• Black and white properties have been adjusted; so not set at the Default.