Sometimes you might have a seemingly perfect photo, just something feels a trivial off: the color doesn't fit with everything else, and y'all want to change information technology. But how can yous do this without affecting the color of the residue of the prototype?

In this simple tutorial, y'all'll learn how to use the Object Selection Tool and mask layers in Photoshop to change the color of a single object in an image.

Before Getting Started

Before diving into the fun, let's introduce the tools we're going to rely on in this tutorial.

Instead of painstakingly selecting an object manually, yous tin hands sweep the Object Pick Tool over your chosen object, and it selects it for you. Whatsoever adept tool can have a few hiccups though; this one works best on simple assorted photos with noticeable color differences, merely at that place are means to work with more complex images.

The mask tool allows usa to edit parts of a photo in a not-destructive manner by masking (or roofing) parts of the prototype from our view. We can utilize masks for editing images together, irresolute colors, or even creating detailed mockups.

Forth with the Object Selection Tool, we're going to use masks to change the color of an object in a photo. Let's brainstorm the tutorial.

1. Prepare Your Photo

Ideally, there should be a high contrast between the object and the background of the epitome. If the colors are likewise similar or blurred together, it can make this technique hard, or even impossible, to consummate.

One time you lot've got your epitome, load it upwards in Photoshop.

The Object Option Tool is in the toolbar to the left equally shown beneath. Apply the W shortcut on your keyboard for quick access.

Screenshot showing rectangular selection in Photoshop.

With the Object Selection Tool, drag your selection over the color of the object you'd similar to change. You lot can practise this with the Rectangle Way to begin with, just you lot can as well toggle to the Lasso Selection Mode for more precision.

While the Object Selection Tool works well, information technology isn't e'er perfect. If you missed annihilation in your selection, hold the Shift key on your keyboard and drag the selection over any missed areas to add them to the selection.

Photoshop screenshot showing subtract from selection tools

If there are areas in your selection that you lot don't wish to change, hold downward the Alt key while selecting those areas. This will remove them from the current selection.

Once just the color you wish to change is selected, go to the Layers Console and click Create a New Group.

3. Create a Mask

On the Layers Panel, click the Add Layer Mask icon; information technology will plow your selection into a mask. This mask allows you to change the colour in a not-destructive way, thus leaving the rest of your photograph intact if you change it again in the futurity.

4. Change the Color

One time you've got your mask, get to the Layers Panel again and click the Create New Fill or Aligning Layer push button. This brings up a bill of fare; select Solid Color.

Screenshot showing Photoshop's color picker on a royal blue

Employ the Color Picker to pick any colour on the spectrum. For the best results, pick a color that is starkly unlike from the original (this technique can also be used to raise a color or brand a subtle change).

Once y'all've chosen your color, click on OK. At this bespeak, the colour will be solid, lack texture, and won't await like a realistic colour change.

5. Adapt the Brightness and Contrast

Photoshop screenshot showing the color blend mode.

To make the color change expect realistic and let it take on the same texture as the original, you demand to adjust the brightness and contrast levels of the color mask.

Click the Create New Make full or Adjustment Layer push button again, and this fourth dimension, get to Brightness/Contrast​​​​​​. This should bring upward a settings menu, just you can ignore that for now.

Go to the Layers Console, click and drag the colour fill layer above the new brightness and contrast layer, but keep it inside the group. With the color layer selected, change the layer blending mode to Colour. This already makes information technology look more than realistic.

Finally, click on the brightness/contrast layer to open up its settings console over again and modify the brightness levels to your liking. Changing the contrast level will display more shadow or texture details that may be present in the original image. Experiment with both settings until information technology looks realistic.

6. Save Your Image

Photo of a spray bottle being held in edited blue rubber gloves.

Get to File > Save Equally. Saving your image as a PSD file will let y'all to edit the colour again in the hereafter by clicking dorsum into the solid color layer. If you're sure you lot don't need to edit it again, salve information technology as your preferred file blazon.

Experiment With More than Detailed Pictures

tshirt-color-change-before-afterBefore and after showing logo of t-shirt change from green to pink

Now that you've learned the basics of this colour-changing technique, you can experiment with other photos. While it's best to learn and practice the technique on a high contrast photograph with fewer colors and simpler shapes, the tool can be used for more than complex images as well.

When using the Object Option Tool on detailed images, call back to toggle between Add to Selection (Alt key) and Subtract From Selection (Shift primal) to get all those details. It will be more time-consuming than a simpler image, only the results volition exist worth it.

Alter the Colour of an Object in Photoshop

If you lot followed along with this tutorial, at that place are many ways you can use your new color-changing skill. Whether you want to alter the color of someone's eyes, endeavour out unlike colour options on something yous created, or see what an item of clothing would look like in another color, it is a skill that can come in handy for anyone.

The Object Pick Tool and mask tool can be used for many other tasks as well.

How to Use Layers and Masks in Photoshop: A Beginner's Guide

Looking to understand layers and masks in Photoshop? We'll explain what they are and how to use them.

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