For those of you who do not use selective color: Look

[timmyquest]

I have been using selective color ever since i read about it in a magazine just after CS came out. It quickly became my favorite way to tweak an image's color. This however, is by far the biggest difference i have seen to date.

When i was done i played around with some differnt saturations (ctrl-U) and couldnt even come close to matching what i produced using selective color.

This is after levels and unsharp

http://www.questphotos.com/january2005/bleh.jpg

Same levels and unsharp plus adjustment of selective color layer

http://www.questphotos.com/january2005/wow.jpg

[Kinger]

Wow, the difference in the color is amazing, the sun actually feels warm in the secind photo. Where is this tool in PSCS, I don't remember it.

[donlavange]

Image/adjustments/selective color

[timmyquest]

Image/adjustments/selective color

That is one way to do it but i always prefer working in layers.

As such, push F7 to bring up the layers window. On the bottom of this window are six icons. Click on the forth icon, it is a circle that is half white and half black called "Create new fill or adjustment layer". Click on this and select "selective color"

Working in layers allows you to do many things such as easily compare the before and after, doing many diffent versions of one adjustment and comparing the differences etc etc.

[KennyG]

You have three flare spots on the building, were you using a filter?

[timmyquest]

You have three flare spots on the building, were you using a filter?

Yeah i noticed that too last night, i was not useing a filter and was flairly suprised ( :-) ) to see it.

[maderito]

Selective color is probably my favorite tool for final color adjustments. It is based on the CMYK color model. You target a specific color (e.g. red) and then adjust its CMYK components (cyan, magenta, yellow, black).

You could convert an image to CMYK color mode, do your edits, and then convert back to RGB. However, you lose image information with the conversions (unless you resort to tricks). Selective color is more straightforward.

I find selective color particularly useful for adjusting colors that aren't easily described by the RGB color model. For instance -- skin tones -- which are better understood as a combination of yellow and magenta, modified by cyan and black. As in Timmy's example, skies (mostly cyan) also are handled well with selective color adjustments.

It takes some practice and perhaps some familiarity with RGB/CMYK color theory - but it's worth it if you're devoted to image editing and tweaking.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I agree, selective color is a must to have in your tool box.. I do find I use it most often when the sky in the picture ;)

[Belmondo]

Excellent thread, Timmy. My dyslexia (self-diagnosed) prevents me from picking up the book and going through it cover to cover as I should. Some of the most useful tips and techniques have come to me in exactly this manner.

[timmyquest]

I do find I use it most often when the sky in the picture ;)

Me too, it really helps in bringing out that blue in the sky.

Dont worry bel, there is nothing we all love reading more then big thick manuals to software that has been a work in progress for years!