PhotoShop: History Brush Tool

History Brush Tool

Photo by ITC Student Katy Fermin

Objective:

Using Photoshop, enhance the quality of a series of images using the History Brush Tool to take a color photo, change it to black and white, then bring back selected parts of the photo to color. This technique is widely used by wedding photographers, graphic artists, and many other professionals to “wow” their clients.

Agenda:

Each students will select 6 photos that have a similar theme for this project. They can be photos you shot, or selected from a web site. Using the History Brush Tool, students will change the feeling or mood of the photo. You must use the History Brush Tool on each photo. Students will turn in the Before and After of each photo.

Follow the step-by-step instructions below for this project.

Step One:

Select the photos you will be using for this project and save into a folder.

Step Two:

Open one of the photos in Photoshop.

Step Three:

At the menu selection across the top select IMAGE> ADJUSTMENTS>VIBRANCE
Drag the Saturation slider left to -100 to take out all the color and clock OK. Your photo should now be desaturated of all color tones and look black and white.

Step Four:

Next select the History Brush Tool from the tool bar at the left.

Step Five:

Now adjust the brush size, hardness and opacity. It’s located in the top left corner of the menu. Look for the small black arrow next to the words Brush and click on it.
Start with a brush size (Master Diameter) of 50px, Hardness of 100%, Opacity 100%. These can be adjusted as you work along on the project.

Step Six:

Bring your curser onto you photo. Using the History Brush Tool, hold the mouse button down and begin to paint back in the color to parts of your photo. 

Take your time during the painting process. You can adjust your brush size as you work on smaller or larger areas. Adjust you hardness as you need a softer edge. Adjust you opacity as you want more or less density of color to show.

Step Seven:

When your photo is done, give it a new File Name, and save it into your folder.
Do this for each of your photos.