How to break an image into black and white and color using GIMP
This image started life in full color. I’ve made the background black and white and kept the main object of the photo in color.
First make a copy of your image!
Open the copy in GIMP.
Shrink the image to the size you’ll be using ( Image -> Scale )
Copy the image ( Image -> Duplicate )
Turn the new copy into black and white ( Image -> Mode -> grayscale )
Copy the black and white image into the buffer ( Edit -> Copy )
Go back to your color copy
Add a transparent layer ( Dialogs -> Layers ::: New Layer ( far left button and select Transparency as your Layer Fill Type )
Copy black and white image to new layer ( Edit -> Paste )
Anchor the image ( Layer -> Anchor Layer )
Now all we have to do is to erase the parts of the black and white image we want to be in color. Since the layer is transparent the color image will show through where ever we erase.
Click on the erase in the main GIMP window and select a brush size that works best for you. Erase everything you want to be in color. Don’t worry about the color looked faded we’ll fix that up shortly.
Once you are sure you have erased all the sections you want to be color and not the ones you want to be black and white Flatten the image.
Flatten image ( Layer -> Merge Down )
Now lets brighten the color back up.
Add a layer ( Layer -> Duplicate Layer )
Open the Layer Dialog ( Dialogs -> Layers )
Change the mode from Normal to Overlay using the drop down menu. Your colors should be back to being bright again.
Then just save your image ( File -> Save as )
Tip: Use the select rectangle ( dotted rectangle at top left on Gimp window ) to select large areas then delete them ( edit -> cut ). Then you just use the erase for the edges and small areas of your drawing.
5 Responses to 'How to break an image into black and white and color using GIMP'
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It wouldn’t be a problem doing that all in one image with several layers, though. All you have to do is copy the layer, and for one of the copies choose Layer -> Color -> Desaturate – and that layer has turned into a black & white image.
What I’m not sure is if the shading of the b&w image is the same in both cases. Can’t be bothered to try it out right now ^^
unwesen
29 Jun 07 at 6:11 am
Thanks, yes, you can split the image into layers first instead of second, the result is the same.
Desaturate will work the same as changing the layer mode to grey scale.
As with most things there are many ways to reach the same end result. I always opt for the simplest.
herself
29 Jun 07 at 7:03 pm
I had to register just to let you know your gimp tutorials are fricken awesome! Since I have found you have I learned to break an image into black and white. I also copied a few to help me cut out an image and put it into another. I swear your tutorials are so much easier to understand then most. Now LOL A request?
I have seen a few do an image with a frame on the outside that is beveled but no color except the color the image had to begin with. The frame tutorial instead of doing the color and all that can I just do bevel? Also some seem to be able to move this bevel anywhere in the photo. I would so like to be able to do that! Thank for all of your help. You kick butt in the Gimp!
EmpressCelena
15 Jul 08 at 6:22 pm
Thank you!
I ‘ll try to look at that later this week. Do you have a link to an image where I could see an example?
ljmacphee
15 Jul 08 at 9:18 pm
Hello! I have had a heck of a time finding this blog from your links the way they are posted now. I am not liking it! I had it saved so that is how I came back here. Otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to get to it. Anyway! LOL
Here is a link to Tabby’s page I hope you will be able to see it.
http://tabbynera.multiply.com/journal/item/966/_Mono_Monday_Plus_36_MM_50_and_a_Challenge
It is a pretty cool effect for a frame! I have learned to do a whole lot since I was here and learned from you how to break out black & White. Say for instance on your jelly fish picture that is here. The way you went about making the colors stand out, is done much easier if you just open it in the Gimp/Colors/Brightness and contrast. Fixes the same and it is basically one step. Just thought I would share that. I also taught myself something new today! LOL Some people are going through a whole bunch of work to make a frame look as if it was peeking through a white or black background. OMG It is so easy with 3 layers! I have to wonder at people who use 2 different programs and a whole lot of work to get the same effect! LOL
My page is also here ~
http://empressselena.multiply.com/
I don’t know if you can leave a messsage there or not. But I can also give you email addy so that you can let me know if you ever figure out the Frame feature. LOL
EmpressCelena
22 Mar 09 at 8:04 pm