INTRODUCTION - Here you will convert a color picture to B/W and then add back a bit of color.

OPEN PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS AND LOAD A PICTURE - Open Photoshop Elements in the Full Edit mode.  Hold the Ctrl key and tap the letter O key (Open) > navigate to a pictures folder and click a picture > click Open.

CREATE A DUPLICATE LAYER – On the Layers Palette, drag the picture to Create a new layer icon (upper left on the Layers Palette).

CONVERT TO GREY SCALE – Click Enhance + Convert to Black and White > select a style that looks best > click OK.

MAKE ADJUSTMENT LAYER – Click the Create adjustment layer icon (black/white ball) > select Levels > click OK > click on the Layer Thumbnail (rectangle on the left) and drag the adjustment layer below the top layer > hold the Alt key and click the line between the top 2 layers (activates the layer mask).

PAINT IN WANTED COLOR – Click the layer mask (right rectangle of the Adjustment layer) > make sure the foreground color is black and background color is white > select the Zoom tool > draw a rectangle about 1” square in an area that has the color that you want > select the Brush tool > adjust the brush size with the “[ ]” keys > paint out the unwanted gray > hold the Shift key and drag when approaching an edge > if brush adds unwanted color, press X to put white in the foreground and paint back in the gray.

CHECK BEFORE AND AFTER VIEWS – Hold the Alt key and click the visibility eye of the Background layer to see before and after views

CONCLUSION  - This is a very good way to make a B/W image and add color to selected areas.  The adjustment layer and layer mask have many other uses but the technique used here applies to all.

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