Pixiq

This is the third of 4 posts regarding the process of hand-coloring.

Hand-coloring in most cases needs to look hand-colored in the final. Detailing the coloring is a way to enhance the realism and to create additional interest. In most cases it should done in a manor suitable for the intended rsults.

In the above screen shot, I have zoomed in to the image to color some of the bricks using a smaller brush size. These details will give the image some interesting realism. The foreground grass will require additional saturation and local dodging and burning. The steps will require a small amount of detailing to reduce the blending into the grass.

The sky color has been stippled into the green tree  branches using a small soft edge brush. Remember, the idea is to make it appear as if colored with a transparent brush. There is no need to be precise. Having the colors slightly off and with oversprayed color will enhance the effect we are after. Notice the slight yellow color in the white painted building. This adds a bit of an aged look and a trace of afternoon light coloration.

Here the image has been cropped so that the black film edge is removed. The image has been modified further using a Hue Saturation Adjustment Layer. Each color was adjusted individually to increase or decrease the intensity and to balance the scene as a whole. Minor details in the distance have been detailed with a few brighter colors to add a slight realism and color to the headstones in the cemetery behind the building.

 © John Neel

Here is the image against black. It is always a good idea to work on and look at the image against a neutral background such as white, gray or black. i almost always have a look at the image against black. To temporarily turn off the palettes, press the tab key in Photoshop after changing to full screen mode. full screen mode produces a black screen background.

To me, this doesn't look too bad at this point.

But we are not finished yet. The image can use some additional tweaking.

The next step will be finishing the image. Finishing - Step - 4

• Part - 1
• Part - 2

THIS POSTING AS WELL AS ALL PHOTOGRAPHS AND GALLERY IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT - © JOHN NEEL AND ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR ANY PUPOSE WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE WRITER, THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR PIXIQ.

Please read more of my posts regarding digital and Analog Photography on Pixiq.