Somewhere between Black n White & Color

Previously, I learned to add color to to photos that had were black and white.  Here is an example of a lesson where I learned how to take out some of the color that had already existed in a photo.  The result give you a great effect which dulls the photo a bit.

Here is the photo that I began with.

Before color was removed.

We now need to work backwards by removing all color or simply converting this photo to black and white.

Black and White

You can then play with the photos brightness and contrast by using a tool found on the adjustments pallet and with that dragging left and right over different parts of the photo to bring out some contrasts differently.  Then using curves, we are able to further adjust the shadows and contrasts in the photo.  

After applying curves

Now we are ready to begin adding color back into the photo.  We do this by selecting the black and white layer.  (When we select curves, it adds another layer.)  Now in the layers pallet, adjust the opacity by reducing it.  This will slowly add color back into the picture.  Notice in the photo below we are begging to see the color in the hats and instrument.

Both pictures after reducing the opacity. 

When you are satisfied, you can apply other effects.  For instance, what if this young man holding the large instrument in this photo was someone we wanted to put in the spotlight?  Though the photographer did a great job applying the focus to him, what if we wanted to put more attention on him?  This is what happens when we apply burn and dodge effects as we have in previous lessons.

After dodge and burn effects