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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Muted Colour Technique
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 07/27/2004 04:33:22 PM · #1
I've been getting some really positive comments from models about this technique I've been using lately, and wanted to share it for...well...I dunno why. just because i feel like it. (*I'm using Photoshop CS, but works as far back as at least PS 5, and in Elements. PSP has similar options, but i have no idea what they are)

I usually start out with an image straight from the cam - no edits at all. Like this one:


Next I add a Channel Mixer adjustment layer like-a-dees:


Then I make it reeeeeeally contrasty, by dropping the constant slider down to -90%, and bumping the blue channel to around 65% and the green to around 100% (the red should already be at 100%). These are pretty variable depending on the exposure of the image, but I make it as contrasty as I can without losing too much image detail. It's important to be a bit excessive here. Comme ca:


Last thing I do is reduce the opacity of the adjustment layer, usually to around 50%, or whatever happens to strike me as cool at the moment.


and then...then final product. I have been printing them on Matte paper, and they look quite cool. like an old colourized BW or something.


Anyway, that's all. just thought I'd share because it's been farily well received lately.

P-ness

ps edit: I actually made it into a PS action if anyone cares. PM me if you want it

Message edited by author 2004-07-27 16:35:06.
 07/27/2004 04:35:54 PM · #2
Thats a very cool effect, it has that retro look/style to it. Thanks for sharing it...
 07/27/2004 04:54:26 PM · #3
Kind of goes with that "glamour lighting" type of look. High contrast and key. Coolness
 07/27/2004 05:25:41 PM · #4
Beautiful work...as usual. Excellent technique! ;o)
 07/27/2004 05:26:14 PM · #5
cool! i've been using channel mixer for b&w. haven't tried for color yet. i'll be looking forward to trying this one out. thanks!
 07/27/2004 05:40:52 PM · #6
Originally posted by kent:
cool! i've been using channel mixer for b&w. haven't tried for color yet. i'll be looking forward to trying this one out. thanks!


I still can't figure this out. I've tried converting to B&W using the channel mixer but I just can't do it. Can you post the steps, or email me about it?

June
 07/27/2004 05:45:38 PM · #7
Originally posted by chiqui74:
Originally posted by kent:
cool! i've been using channel mixer for b&w. haven't tried for color yet. i'll be looking forward to trying this one out. thanks!


I still can't figure this out. I've tried converting to B&W using the channel mixer but I just can't do it. Can you post the steps, or email me about it?

June

for converting to B&W in the channel mixer you check the monchrome box on the bottom left.
It is actually shown below in the third step.
 07/27/2004 05:47:21 PM · #8
Looks GREAT, thanks for sharing.


07/27/2004 06:03:22 PM · #9
I'm short on time, so this will be brief... and it may be different on a PC... I use PS 7 on a MAC and basically select the "monochrome" box at the bottom of the first Channel Mixer menu. This will give you a grey output channel and allow you to work with detail captured in the R, G and B channels to give you the contrast/ detail that you're looking for. The constant slider appears to be an overall density adjustment. If you need 3 or 4 channels after processing into one- just convert modes to Greyscale and then back to RGB or CMYK, whichever you prefer... There are so many ways to convert to B&W in PS... I find that this one gives me the most flexibility. Sorry if this isn't clear enough for you... anybody else got more insight /time for June?

Ciao! Wish I was in Italy too!
 07/27/2004 06:07:27 PM · #10
Originally posted by TerryGee:
Originally posted by chiqui74:
Originally posted by kent:
cool! i've been using channel mixer for b&w. haven't tried for color yet. i'll be looking forward to trying this one out. thanks!


I still can't figure this out. I've tried converting to B&W using the channel mixer but I just can't do it. Can you post the steps, or email me about it?

June

for converting to B&W in the channel mixer you check the monchrome box on the bottom left.


Thanks. I just tried again and it worked. The problem I kept having was that after I checked the monochrome box, the picture would turn incredibly noisy. Here's my first successful conversion:
[/quote]
Sorry Pedro, I don't mean to be a threat hog.

June

Message edited by author 2004-07-27 18:09:02.
 07/27/2004 06:14:42 PM · #11
Hey Pedro... try this:

Convert your original file to LAB color. Copy the Lightness channel. Now switch back to RGB and paste in the grayscale version you just copied. Now copy the underlying RGB layer and paste it on top of the grayscale layer using "color" as the layer mode. Change the opacity of the top layer to taste.

I'm sure you'll want to play around with the contrast, but the point of this particular method is that the Lightness channel produces a different (and often superior) range of grays than merely converting to grayscale. It's particularly good at pulling detail out of dark areas. Worth a try.
 07/27/2004 06:28:26 PM · #12
I like that technique Pedro. I used it for one of my portraits recently:


It adds (in my view) more gravitas to the image and allows more concentration on the purpose of the shot and subject itself, without the distraction of saturated colour. I prefer this to black and white which can sometimes be an overstatement.
 07/27/2004 06:42:05 PM · #13
very cool technique, P! you should post this in the tutorials!
 07/27/2004 07:18:25 PM · #14
Very cool Pedro!.

I converted this one using a slightly different technique:



Created a sepia layer (color mode) on top of the colored one and reduced opacity to about 50% and added contrast to the sepia layer. The nice thing about this is you can erase at the top layer to reveal a little more of the colour in specific areas.

Message edited by author 2004-07-27 19:18:47.
 07/28/2004 12:08:58 AM · #15
@ Mario - great shot! and great point too. I'll often use the eraser tool at a really low opacity (5% or so) and erase bits of the top layer if i want certain parts of the image more intense than others. I'll occasionally burn that layer too, which is a little more subtle than burning the background.

@Jon - precisely right. one of the things i love about this technique (and BW/monotone) is that without colour, you're forced to focus more on composition. I'm like a goldfish around shiny objects with colour...i get all distracted and miss out on the important stuff.

@Shannon - also a good point. using the colour blend modes with the lightness channel will definitely bring out some shadow detail. but you nailed it on the head as to why i don't use it as much - it doesn't make for really contrasty images, which for some reason i dig.

@June - hijack away; I'm glad you got it figured out. this isn't my favourite way to do black and white (especially for people), but it's awesome for landscapes, and images with lots of green or blue in them.

P-ness.

ps I found another action that I may write up later on...it's called 'velvia' and it's meant to mimic the rich hues in Velvia film.
 07/28/2004 03:24:56 AM · #16
This is nice :)

Thanks for posting...
07/28/2004 03:35:53 AM · #17
Good idea P-ness :) I have never worked with the "constant" slider before. I'll have to experiment around with it.
 07/28/2004 09:33:08 AM · #18
Originally posted by pedro:
ps I found another action that I may write up later on...it's called 'velvia' and it's meant to mimic the rich hues in Velvia film.


I've used that action quite a few times. I find it works well as long as you keep the effect low (20-40%).

I used it in my latest entry: Delicate Balance of Light

Message edited by author 2004-07-28 09:33:56.
 07/28/2004 09:45:27 AM · #19
Wow... an excellent addition to my library of Photoshoppery! Thanks.
 07/28/2004 12:18:06 PM · #20
Originally posted by mariomel:
Originally posted by pedro:
ps I found another action that I may write up later on...it's called 'velvia' and it's meant to mimic the rich hues in Velvia film.


I've used that action quite a few times. I find it works well as long as you keep the effect low (20-40%).

I used it in my latest entry: Delicate Balance of Light


Awesome photo Mario - I haven't looked at the challenges for a while so I didn't see it during voting. That's exactly the kind of photo the velvia filter works on. I'll post the link to it later today :)
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