My first go at ....

[gramps]

Selective colouring!!!
I know many of you hate it but I do like it in certain circumstances - I've just followed a little 'youtube' tutorial to have a go at one of my poppy pics.
However the 'red' poppy overlay doesn't quite seem to make it, there appears to be a bit of a 'halo' along the top edge ... how can I inprove on this please?

 

[Scarecrow]

There are a number of different methods to achieve this effect, some better/easier than others. How did you do yours?

 

[gramps]

Good question!
Desaturated the original photo and saved, then put original and desaturated side by side.
Used the quick selection tool to select the poppy in the original (red) and then refined the edges - moved the red poppy to the desaturated version and overlaid, then saved the result.

 

[swanseamale47]

For me the foreground is too dark, I'd lighten that part leaving the sky alone, it'll also bring out the red of the poppy better.

 

[gramps]

Better?

 

[Lemaildetom]

Technicly I don't have advice for you. But the selection of the poppy right in the corner is a bit funny I think. Something a bit less on the edge will be better.

 

[gramps]

Thanks Thomas, I agree with you, TBH I was just trying out the method rather than seeking good composition, the small poppy was in isolation and uncomplicated so suited me for an easy first go - I'll be trying some more and will try to make them more 'appropriate'.

 

[swanseamale47]

Better?

Yes it's bring out the detail more and the colour of the poppy.

 

[photoimaging]

This any help?
Selective colouring by masks, first pic is the original

Then duplicate the layer.

Here I have added a B&W adjustment layer (here you would twiddle to suit)

Here I have started to paint out the B&W adjustment layer mask with a paintbrush using black

Here I have zoomed to make painting the edge detail easier, if you make a mistake and paint over into the greenery swap your foreground colour to white and paint it out again then return to black to continue.

Joan

 

[gramps]

Thanks, Wayne and Joan, really appreciate the assistance

 

[DorsetDude]

there appears to be a bit of a 'halo' along the top edge ... how can I inprove on this please?

Im a n00b but I think one of the blend modes of the layer might help get rid of the halo. Cant remember which one it is though, multiply, soft light, or whatever, try a few and see if it helps.