How To Turn WHITE Into BLACK Using Photoshop CC

Photo Feaver
19 Aug 202206:17

Summary

TLDRIn this tutorial, the host demonstrates how to transform a white object, such as a car, into black using Adobe Photoshop. The process involves creating a precise selection with the pen tool, feathering the selection for a realistic edge, and applying two adjustment layers: a curves layer to darken the object and a black and white layer to maintain a monochromatic look. The tutorial provides a step-by-step guide, ensuring viewers can replicate the effect on various white subjects, showcasing the versatility of the technique.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 The video tutorial demonstrates how to change the color of a white object to black or grey using Photoshop.
  • 🖼️ The process involves using a photo with a white subject, like a car, clothing, or a shoe, which can be changed to black.
  • 📷 It's important to select a photo with a pale color subject to ensure the effect works well.
  • 🛠️ The tutorial uses two adjustment layers in Photoshop: Curves and Black & White, to achieve the desired color change.
  • 🔍 A selection of the object to be colored is made using the Pen Tool, which is considered the most precise method, albeit time-consuming.
  • 📐 After creating the path with the Pen Tool, it's converted into a selection, which is then feathered for a more realistic edge.
  • 🖌️ The Curves adjustment layer is used to create a jet black color by adjusting the white and black points and adding an 'S' curve for contrast.
  • ⚫ The Black & White adjustment layer is applied to keep the color monochromatic and ensure the object remains black without any color tints.
  • 🔗 The selection made initially is crucial as it ensures that the adjustment layers only affect the selected area, not the entire photo.
  • 🎉 The final result shows a transformation from a pure white object to a jet black one, with the option to adjust the contrast and darkness to preference.
  • 📝 The tutorial encourages viewers to share their results in the comments and suggests experimenting with different objects and settings.

Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of the tutorial in the transcript?

    -The main purpose of the tutorial is to demonstrate how to change a white subject in a photo to black or grey using two adjustment layers in Photoshop.

  • What are the two adjustment layers mentioned in the script?

    -The two adjustment layers mentioned are the 'Curves' adjustment layer and the 'Black and White' adjustment layer.

  • What is the recommended tool for creating a selection in this tutorial?

    -The recommended tool for creating a selection in this tutorial is the 'Pen Tool', although other tools like the 'Quick Selection Tool' or 'Lasso Tool' can also be used.

  • Why is it important to create a selection before applying the adjustment layers?

    -Creating a selection is important to ensure that the adjustment layers only affect the desired area of the photo, preventing the entire photo from turning black.

  • What is the purpose of adding a feather to the selection?

    -Adding a feather to the selection is done to blur the edges slightly, making the transition between the selected area and the rest of the photo look more realistic.

  • How can you apply the selection to the adjustment layers?

    -You can apply the selection to the adjustment layers by making the selection active and then creating the adjustment layer, which will automatically apply the selection as a layer mask.

  • What is the effect of bringing the white and black points closer together in the 'Curves' adjustment layer?

    -Bringing the white and black points closer together in the 'Curves' adjustment layer will darken the selected area, moving it towards a black color.

  • What is the role of the 'Black and White' adjustment layer in this tutorial?

    -The 'Black and White' adjustment layer is used to ensure that the color tones of the selected area are neutralized, keeping it monochromatic and black.

  • How can you copy the layer mask from one adjustment layer to another?

    -You can copy the layer mask by holding down the 'Alt' or 'Option' key and dragging the layer mask from one adjustment layer to another.

  • What is the 'S' style contrast curve mentioned in the tutorial?

    -The 'S' style contrast curve is a type of curve adjustment in the 'Curves' layer that adds contrast by slightly raising the whites and lowering the blacks, creating an 'S' shape in the curve.

  • Can this technique be applied to subjects other than a car?

    -Yes, this technique can be applied to various subjects such as pieces of clothing, shoes, or even the side of a house, as long as the subject is initially a pale color.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Transforming White to Black Using Photoshop

This paragraph introduces a Photoshop tutorial focused on changing the color of a subject from white to black using two specific adjustment layers. The tutorial begins by emphasizing the importance of selecting a photo with a white subject, such as a car, piece of clothing, or shoe, to ensure the effect works effectively. The process involves creating a precise selection using the pen tool to target only the desired area, which is then feathered for a more realistic edge. Two adjustment layers are then added: a curves layer to adjust the brightness and contrast, and a black and white layer to ensure the subject remains monochromatic. The tutorial concludes with a demonstration of the effect, showing the before and after results, and encourages viewers to share their experiences in the comments section.

05:02

🖌️ Fine-Tuning the Black Color Effect in Photoshop

The second paragraph delves deeper into the technical aspects of the color transformation process. It explains the purpose of the black and white adjustment layer, which is to maintain a pure black color without any color tones, even if the original subject had slight color reflections. The paragraph also discusses the importance of adjusting the curves to create an 'S' shaped contrast curve, which adds more depth and contrast to the black color. The tutorial provides a visual comparison of the original white subject and the transformed black version, highlighting the versatility of the technique for various applications such as paintwork, window tinting, clothing, shoes, and even house siding. The paragraph ends with an invitation for viewers to share their success stories with the effect and to engage in the comments section.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Adjustment Layers

Adjustment layers in Photoshop are a powerful feature that allows users to make color and tonal adjustments to an image without permanently altering the original pixels. In the context of the video, the host demonstrates how to use two adjustment layers to change the color of a subject from white to black. This is a fundamental concept for the tutorial, as it forms the basis of the technique being taught.

💡White Subject

A 'white subject' refers to the primary object in the photograph that is white in color and is the focus of the editing process. In the video, the subject is a white Audi car that the host aims to change to black. This keyword is crucial as it sets the starting point for the transformation process being demonstrated.

💡Selection

Selection in Photoshop is the process of identifying a specific area of an image to apply effects or edits without affecting the rest of the image. The script mentions creating a selection as the first step to ensure that only the white car is targeted for color change, which is essential for the tutorial's success.

💡Pen Tool

The Pen Tool in Photoshop is used for creating precise paths by clicking to set anchor points and adjusting the direction lines to form curves. The host prefers using the Pen Tool for making selections, as it allows for detailed and accurate cutting out of the subject, in this case, the car, which is a key step in the process.

💡Feather

Feathering in Photoshop softens the edges of a selection, creating a gradual transition between the selected area and the rest of the image. The script mentions adding a feather to the selection to make it look more realistic, which is an important detail to ensure a natural appearance in the final result.

💡Curves Adjustment Layer

A curves adjustment layer in Photoshop is used to adjust the tonal range of an image by modifying the curve that represents the relationship between the image's pixel values and its output levels. In the video, the host uses a curves adjustment layer to create a jet black appearance for the white subject.

💡Black and White Adjustment Layer

This type of adjustment layer in Photoshop is used to convert an image to grayscale, removing all color information and leaving only shades of gray. The host uses it to ensure that the color change process results in a pure black, without any color tints, which is a key aspect of the tutorial's objective.

💡Layer Mask

A layer mask in Photoshop is a way to control the visibility of different parts of a layer, allowing for non-destructive editing. The script describes how the selection is applied to the adjustment layers' layer masks, ensuring that the adjustments only affect the selected area, which is central to the technique being taught.

💡S-Style Contrast Curve

An S-style contrast curve is a specific type of curve adjustment that adds contrast to an image by adjusting the mid-tones, shadows, and highlights. The host creates an S-curve to add more contrast to the black color, enhancing the visual appeal of the final image.

💡Monochromatic

Monochromatic refers to the use of a single color or varying shades of a single color. The video mentions using a black and white adjustment layer to keep the subject monochromatic, ensuring that any color tones in the original subject are neutralized, resulting in a pure black.

Highlights

The tutorial demonstrates how to change a white object to black using Photoshop.

The method involves using two adjustment layers: Curves and Black & White.

The process is applicable to various objects such as cars, clothing, and shoes.

A white Audi car is used as an example in the tutorial.

Creating a selection is crucial to target only the desired area for color change.

The Pen Tool is recommended for creating precise selections.

Zooming in helps to accurately cut out the object.

Turning the pen path into a selection is a key step for precise adjustments.

Feathering the selection edges creates a more realistic look.

Adjustment layers are applied with the selection active to target specific areas.

Copying the layer mask from the Curves to the Black & White layer ensures targeted effects.

The S-curve technique is used to add contrast while keeping the object black.

The Black & White adjustment layer ensures the object remains monochromatic.

The tutorial shows the before and after effect of the color change.

The method can also be used for tinting windows and painting walls.

The tutorial encourages users to share their results in the comments.

The effect works for various objects, showcasing its versatility.

Transcripts

00:04

have you ever wanted to change a piece

00:06

of clothing or a vehicle from white to

00:09

black or even grey well today i'm going

00:11

to be showing you how you can do that

00:12

just using two adjustment layers found

00:14

within photoshop and i'm going to start

00:17

right now

00:19

[Music]

00:25

right guys so the first thing you want

00:26

to do is go ahead and choose a photo and

00:28

you want to make sure you've got a photo

00:29

that has got a white subject that you

00:31

want to turn to black now this object

00:33

can pretty pretty much be anything for

00:36

instance in my case it's a car but it

00:38

could be a piece of clothing or maybe it

00:40

could be a shoe so pretty much the

00:42

possibilities are endless so write down

00:44

the comments below what particular

00:46

effect or object you're cutting out so

00:48

in this particular case as you can see

00:50

it is an audi car and as you can see at

00:52

this moment it is pure white now this

00:54

particular effect can also work on other

00:56

colors as well but as long as they are

00:58

pale because what we're going to do is

01:00

we're going to create two adjustment

01:01

layers to make sure we are getting pure

01:03

black

01:04

right so firstly

01:06

once you've opened the photo we need to

01:07

make sure that we've got a selection so

01:09

we're only affecting the areas we want

01:12

if we applied a global style the photo

01:14

would look black and obviously then

01:15

there's just a black photo so we want to

01:17

make sure we are targeting the exact

01:19

area within the photo and firstly what

01:21

we need to do is to create a selection

01:23

now there are multiple ways of creating

01:25

selections in photoshop but to be honest

01:27

i think my favorite way although it does

01:29

take the longest is using the pen tool

01:32

you can use the quick selection tool or

01:33

the lasso tool it's completely up to you

01:36

but i'm going to use a pen tool in this

01:38

particular tutorial so what we're going

01:40

to do is go over to the left hand side

01:42

tools panel we're going to go ahead and

01:43

select the pen tool or it is p on your

01:46

keyboard what i'm going to do is go

01:47

ahead and zoom in and i'm going to cut

01:50

out this car but so this tutorial isn't

01:52

about 100 years long this i'm going to

01:54

speed this bit up

02:00

[Music]

02:15

lovely so once you have made oh you're

02:17

finished your pen tool if you've used it

02:19

like me we just need to simply turn that

02:21

into a selection so what we're going to

02:23

do is make sure you've got it activated

02:25

we're going to go to our paths tool so

02:27

uh channels all the way over to paths if

02:30

you've got your work path here or the

02:31

path that you've made double click on

02:33

that work path you want to save it so

02:35

i'm just going to call this one path 1

02:36

for the mean time and i'm going to go

02:38

ahead and click ok then to actually

02:40

activate it to turn from a path into a

02:43

selection we're going to go ahead and

02:44

press command and we're going to click

02:46

on that layer and as you can see we have

02:48

now turned it into a selection but

02:50

obviously there are no necessarily sharp

02:53

super sharp edges in photos so we need

02:56

to add a slight feather to that what

02:57

we're going to do is go to select drop

03:00

down to modify and then we're going to

03:02

go ahead and select feather now i'd

03:04

probably recommend a one to two pixel

03:07

feather i'm pretty gonna do uh let's do

03:08

two pixels in this particular case i'm

03:10

gonna go ahead and click okay that will

03:12

just blur the edges to make it look a

03:14

little bit more realistic right so once

03:16

we've done that we now need to create

03:18

two adjustment layers we're going to

03:20

create a curves adjustment layer then

03:22

we're going to use the black and white

03:24

adjustment layer so let's go back to our

03:26

layers panel you can find on the right

03:28

hand side here drop down to our

03:30

adjustment layers icon and firstly we

03:32

are going to go ahead and select curves

03:35

now because we had that selection

03:36

activated when we made the adjustment

03:39

layer as you can see that selection has

03:41

now been applied to our adjustment

03:43

layers layer mask which is really handy

03:46

so we're going to do is go down to our

03:47

adjustment layers again guys and we'll

03:49

go ahead and create black and white now

03:52

obviously this one has not been applied

03:54

because we did not have the selection

03:56

activated so what you do is go to that

03:58

curves adjustment layer alt or option

04:01

click on that and drag upwards and that

04:04

will do is that will copy and paste that

04:06

layer mask onto our new adjustment layer

04:09

so you see our adjustment layers now are

04:11

only going to be affecting the area that

04:14

we have selected which is obviously the

04:16

paint work the white section of the area

04:18

that we're going to be changing so

04:21

let's go ahead and change it to black

04:23

double click on our curves adjustment

04:25

layer go to the top right hand corner

04:27

and the bottom left hand corner you've

04:29

got these two dots which is our pure

04:31

white and pure black and we're going to

04:33

go ahead and bring those closer together

04:36

so we'll go ahead and bring those in

04:38

like so

04:40

the closer you bring them in the closer

04:42

black you will create i like going in

04:44

around 75 but it just looks jet black

04:47

there is no contrast to it so we're

04:49

going to do is going to add in an s

04:51

style contrast curve to add in a little

04:53

bit more contrast to that area so i'm

04:56

gonna do is bring up the white slightly

04:58

here and bring down the shadows so as

05:01

you can see we're creating an s style

05:03

curve while still keeping this nice

05:06

black look now the reason we've made a

05:09

black and white adjustment layer is to

05:11

keep it monochromatic or to keep it

05:13

black if you had a slight color tone to

05:16

your

05:17

piece of clothing or car in this

05:19

particular case that will be replicated

05:21

within the black making it maybe a dark

05:23

blue or a dark green but in this

05:25

particular case because we've made that

05:27

a black black and white adjustment layer

05:29

it will keep it black if i turn it off

05:31

as you can see there's not a major

05:32

change but in some cases you can see

05:34

there's a little bit of blue coming

05:35

through and that is because the you know

05:37

it was reflecting some blue within the

05:39

photo now it could keep it but in this

05:41

particular case i like keeping it pure

05:43

black and white so we've got that black

05:45

and white adjustment layer and what i

05:46

can do is show you the before as you see

05:49

pure white and show you the after and as

05:52

you can see it is black and it works for

05:54

paint work it works for tinting a window

05:56

just not to you know don't make it so

05:58

extreme it works for a piece of clothing

06:01

shoes even works for side of houses so

06:03

go give this effect a go and here's one

06:06

i made earlier which i spent a little

06:07

bit more time on the selection so here

06:09

is the before

06:10

and here is the after and write it down

06:13

in the comments below if this particular

06:15

effect worked for you

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