With the rise of my deep and adoring love of Instagram and photography, I’ve started to weep over my photo editing skills. Um, I mean lack thereof. “HOW DO I DO THAT?” I howl. “I DON’T EVEN HAVE PHOTOSHOP. I’M SO INEPT.” But, as it turns out, I can do nifty things while a) being inept, and b) not having photoshop. SO! I figured there may be one or two of you, like me, who’ve gnashed your teeth at photography failings and would love some tips and tricks.
I AM HERE FOR YOU.
I plan to post a few of my editing and photography misadventures tips* so snoop under my tutorial tag to see them all!
* Unfortunately I am by no means a professional. Actually, I’m a professional cheater. I look for the cheating-ish ways to do things because, like I said, I’m inept.
So today we have a glorious tutorial on:
HOW TO MAKE A BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO WITH A COLOUR ACCENT USING PICMONKEY
It’s very easy. I have pictures to help you every step of the way.
1. First, find a photo to torture.
I’ve chosen this one of More Than This by Patrick Ness because I love the cover and I think the yellow door would make a fantastic accent.
2. Now open up picmonkey.com.
Picmonkey is a fabulous invention because IT’S FREE. And if you’re a Scrooge, as I am, this is like the most glorious thing the internet can bestow on us.
3. Upload your photo and stare at it because it’s NEVER GONNA BE THE SAME AFTER THIS.
4. Go to “effects” which is the little Harry Potter wand on the left hand side there.
Scroll until you find “black and white”. Click it.
5. Ready thineself to create COLOUR.
Or, to be more specifically helpful, a little box will pop up. It’ll automatically be on “original”. Play with your brush size, depending on how big the area you want to turn back into colour is. Basically you’re about to “rub off” the black and white affect.
6. AND THE BLOGGER SAID “LET THERE BE COLOUR.” Oh look at you, clever little photo-editor. Colour!
Aren’t you genius? You can play around with the area you want to colour. I’m simple bringing back colour to the door. Once you’re happy, hit “save” and YOU’RE DONE.
7. Admire your handiwork and possibly tell the world how clever you are.
Because if you don’t, who will?
So simple, right?!
Also free. Also fun. Also eye-catchy. GO FORTH AND EDIT ALL THE THINGS! And if you’re feeling particularly proud of your accomplishments, tag me on instagram or twitter (my handle is @PaperFury for both) and show me your glorious arty creations and I shall flail over your accomplishments with you.
-~-
Oooh! I love this! My favourite one is the third one. The green is just so nice. I’ll definitely be trying this out.
Thanks, Cait!
Also, isn’t it great when things are free? Praise the creators for making things free. I’m poor and ain’t nobody got money for dat.
YES, EXACTLY. OMG THANK THE WORLD THAT THERE ARE FREE THINGS LEFT ON THE INTERENT. I mean, I get annoyed when picmonkey makes the cool features expensive, but still. I will survive this. 😉
So it appears my cake-with-dragon bribe was effective. I shall keep that in mind.
Love this tutorial and totally doing it sometime — I’m more of a GIMP person, really, but so many blogger friends swear by Picmonkey I might have to try it for this. And I love like all of your book photographs so I would also offer cake-with-dragon-and-also-murder for more tutorials on taking pretty photos. And like your commentary is the best ever. (*still laughing over Harry Potter wand*)
IT WAS. The dragon on top is what did it and we all know I’m not immune to cake bribes.
I like picmonkey because it’s easy and quick, but I used to haunt gimp so I could make maps. MAPS ARE GLORIOUS. hheeh I haven’t had gimp for years though. GAH. Photography tutorials will be abysmal, though, because I have literally nooooo idea what I’m doing. >_>
I LOVE YOUR TUTORIALS, CAIT. I used the blog button one way back when I needed a blog button (of course, I still haven’t updated it since I’ve become Loony Literate…but I’ll get there).
I use PicMonkey and I love this!! It’s so simple and effective. I like the focus feature where the rest is blurry but one book is in focus (since I can’t do that with my actual camera lolllll).
AH BLOG BUTTONS! I REMEMBER THAT! Omg, that tutorial must be quite outdated now tho. hehe Ahh, picmonkey is just so gorgeously brilliant because it’s FREE. And free stuff is the best. I haven’t really tested out that blurry/focus feature but it can be cool. x)
I’ve always wanted to know how to do this! So massive thanks for the tutorial. I can’t wait to learn more of your secrets and hopefully start taking photos as good as yours 🙂
YES. ALL MY SECRETS HUZZAH! (Actually, and disappointingly, most of my secrets consist of “luck” and “omg that was a gorgeous accident”. And are not very tutorial friendly. -_-)
COOL. I always admired people who had this effect in their pictures, so I’ll be sure to use it every now and then 😀 Thank you! Picmonkey is the best, but I never figured out you could use this effect over there.
I didn’t figure it out until like TWO DAYS AGO. So hehe don’t feel too bad. 😉
Oooh, I saw your instagram pic, so I was really excited when I saw you were going to show us how. It’s funny, because I haven’t used picmonkey, and I don’t do much photoshopping, but I’ve actually used this process before. I guess I just hadn’t made the connection. Thanks for sharing! Now excuse me while I go edit all the photos ever.
I didn’t even know how to do this until, like, 2 days ago. xD It’s amazing what one discovers when they’re procrastinating editing.
YOU ARE A GENIUS. there I said it. you don’t have to now ;). I’ve been using Picmonkey for AGES yet never worked this out. DO YOU WANT A GOLD STAR? I have some?..:D Lol now I can go and attack my pictures.
BUT I’M GONNA SAY IT AS WELL, BECAUSE IT’S MORE FUN IF BOTH OF US SHOUT “CAIT IS A GENIUS” FROM THE ROOFTOPS, YES? Yes. I want a gold star. And also a cookie. Because I’m special.
AHH CAIT. YOU ARE SO GOOD AT DOING TUTORIALS, YOU MUST KEEP DOING THEM. XD You are so hilarious, I was grinning while reading that! :”D This is extremely helpful! If I ever need to use PicMonkey, I shall be referring to this tutorial! Ahh, those photos you’ve given as an example turned out so well! :’D This is awesome!
YAY I AM SO GLAD!! I like tutorials with heaps of pictures, so that’s how I do mine. And a bit of my weird humour thrown in. 😉 hehe afjldsk thank you though!
I can’t believe how EASY this is! I will try it, and I will tag you on Twitter!
I KNOW RIGHT?!! HOW IS IT SO EASY AND BEEN HIDDEN FROM ME FOR SO LONG.
Ah thank you!! I use picmonkey all the time but didn’t know how or even thought to do this to pictures. Great examples too – Aways love your pictures!
Awww, thanks, Grace!! *dances*
I L.O.V.E. Picmonkey and use it all the time. I cannot live without it. Definitely best photo editing software out there (probably because it is so simple to work with and I am not ready for anything more advanced lol).
Btw, it is so sweet of you to share this with your followers! xo
IT IS SIMPLE. And free. And I just love it how they opened it up so you could use whatever fonts you want *parties quietly*
This is great. I remember using picmonkey before but totally forgot about it when I started using Instagram. I’ll definitely have to try this! Thanks, Cait!
INSTAGRAM IS FUN. I always edit my photos on picmonkey and then put them on instagram tho, because I am odd like that. XD
Picmonkey is such a useful tool. I have Photoshop and I still use Picmonkey more than anything because it’s so simple. =)
It is! I would like to invest in photoshop someday, but I worry it’d be too complex and I’d get overwhelmed and just slink back to picmonkey. XD
ooooh I might need to use this for making covers for my books. This is awesome! Thank you Cakeboo.
YES. AND THEN SHOW THEM TO ME. ALSO SHOW ME YOUR BOOKS. ALSO EVERYTHING.
AAAHHHH I NEED TO MAKE A COVER SO BAD. AND I WILL TOTALLY SHOW IT TO YOU, CAIT. I NEED YOU TO LOVE THIS STORY WITH ME. IT IS THE MOST PAINFUL THING MY BRAIN HAS EVER CONCEIVED.
Ah, Picmonkey. My love. I literally do NOT know what I’d do without it. I do this alllllll the time, and it’s such an easy way to use black and white on selected sections (I was up to 2am last night doing this to a bunch of photos actually. Because who needs sleep anyway?) I’d LOVE more tutorials, though!!
Yessssss, it’s so glorious, and seriously no regrets on editing photos all night because editing photos is basically life. I’d love to learn photoshop but it looks SO COMPLICATED. And also expensive. Gah. I wanna spend my money on books.
Ooh, gorgeous and so professional. My old point and shoot camera had a setting wherein you could take pictures that highlighted just one color. Alas, that camera has disappeared with all my palm pilots and other outdated technology. I can’t wait to start doing this again.
I only just heard cameras could do that! I wonder if mine could..hmm.
*glances at user manual*
*runs away screaming*
MAYBE ONE DAY I’LL READ IT BUT NOT THIS DAY. XD
I adore Picmonkey ’cause it’s A) Free, and B) you can do a lot of stuff on it. For free. Since I’m not going to pay $100 for some fancy photo editing thingie that I most likely won’t even be able to figure out how to use, Picmonkey is pretty dang nice.
FREEEEDOOOOOM. *ahem* Yes. Yes I like free things too so I can spend my actual money on books. #somuchwin
I haven’t tried Picmonkey but this tutorial is really cool! If you’re into photography I think it’s worth it to invest in Photoshop and/or Lightroom. While I use Photoshop primarily for graphic/web design I love using actions to enhance photographs too. PS actions and Lightroom presets can add a whole new fabulousness (is that a word?) to your shots. 😉
My sister is trying to get me into Lightroom, buuuut I always baulk at spending money on things because I JUST WANNA BUY BOOKS. I’d love to learn more graphic design though. Omg. I really would.
You can get Lightroom+Photoshop for 9.99 a month (last time I checked their site). I honestly don’t like the per-month mode of payment but they had so much cool features for Photoshop CC that I couldn’t resist. I think this new mode of payment is perfect for people who are on the fence with getting Ps and Lr. If you end up not liking the software, at least you only spent 9.99 and not hundreds of dollars 😉
This is looks GLORIOUS! And sooo.soooo. soooooo easy! I’ve been trying my hand at photography and have discovered I’m a complete fail at it. But I shall take your awesome advice and tips and go forth to make the most epical picture EVA!:)
IT IS SO EASY. MIND BLOWINGLY EASY. *dances*
I’ve never used PicMonkey, but I have experimented with this effect in Photoshop. Actually, there’s more than one way to do selective colour like this, so people can just use whatever method they like best. (Some digital cameras even have an option to do this in the camera. I just have an old, bare-bones, 6-megapixel DSLR, so I have to do any special effects by hand afterward.)
If you ever want to try a Photoshop-like program, there’s a free one out there called The GIMP. It works like an older version of Photoshop, but it’s still pretty powerful.
I love playing around with graphics, so I have to stop myself from redoing my blog design all the time. At the moment, most of the graphics on my blog are from a set that I purchased. The exception is the ladybug. I took a picture of that little thing on my mom’s hydrangea years ago and it’s been part of my blog’s design from the beginning.
Ohh, I wonder if my camera would do this. I mean, I have a GREAT new camera. BUT HAVE I READ THE USERS MANUAL? Nope. XD And yes, there are tons of ways to do colour accents, but I love picmonkey best. 😉 I have experimented with gimp before but it scared me so I ran away, aka I don’t think I could handle photoshop either. 😐
ohhh, that’s so cool that you make all your own graphics! ONE DAY I would like to do something like that. For now, hehe, I am so sucky at it. XD
I absolutely adore Picmonkey! I used it to make my blog header and I was so proud because I did it myself but I also use it to make banners and edit photos, even though not every time things turn out nicely :S but I’m still learning. I didn’t know you could accent the colour of a picture with this page. I love it when I see it on Instagram; I think it looks so so cool!
I use it for ALL MY PHOTO NEEDS. XD I was pretty proud of myself when I used it for my header too. (Although just to make the background invisible. I drew my header mostly.) AGh, but so many features are royale now, right? It’s a bit frustrating.
Wow! I’ve heard of PicMonkey before but I’ve never really gone on it. However, colour accents are amazing aren’t they? All your pictures look beautiful and arty and dazzling. Thanks for the tutorial – will be using it in more of my pics these days!
They make me feel all professional for some reason. hehe. I wouldn’t do it too often, but I do like to add in something spunky like this occasionally. xD
I LOVE PICMONKEY. I didn’t know you could do color accents though, so that’s fabulous! Thanks for the tips. Recently I tried my hand at the double overlay thingie (you can see it on the screenshot you included). It didn’t turn out very smooth, but I partially blame my laptop for that. A touchpad is not as precise as a mouse. XD But it’s sooo nice to have all those editing tools for free.
I did the double overlay thingy too!! It worked GREAT on some photos off pinterest, but then I didn’t want to post those or anything because they weren’t mine. xD I really ought to try it on my own photos. *nods* I only ever use a touchpad, hehe.
LOL, I did some with internet pictures too, in combination with my own pics. I just don’t have that many gorgeous landscapes of my own to use!
Oh, thanks so much for sharing! I’ve heard of PicMonkey but I don’t think I’ve ever used it…and I really need too, because I want to do more with my blog with the limited skills I have. Plus, I’m poor, so free software is great. 🙂
FREEEEEDOOOOOM! Ahem. But yes. 😉 I totally agree! I can’t afford to pay for all the things (I Have books to buy, gosh) so picmonkey is life. Although I do get frustrated at how many of their features have to be paid for these days. 🙁
Oooh, fancy! Thanks for the tutorial, Cait! I thought it was something you worked out how to do on Instagram, haha! I just need to work out if I can be bothered with putting my photos on my computer and editing them just to put them on Instagram. I shall think! But PicMonkey is awesome! I’ve used it for things in the past. I’m not brilliant with it, but it’s cooool! Thanks again! 🙂
Pfft, instagram and I always fight actually. XD I’m not brilliant with picmonkey either, but it does have some neat tricks if I bother to pay attention and learn them. XD
Oh my! I have NEVER (and I do mean never) been able to figure this out. I try those apps but it doesn’t work out right… I AM PROCEEDING TO ATTEMPT THIS. Wish me luck.
GOOD LUCK!! LET ME KNOW IF YOU SUCCEED!
I’ve got photoshop but sometimes the choices can be soo overwhelming. I’m gonna check out this picmonkey!
I so so want to learn how to use photoshop. And also, you know, buy/or sign up for photoshop. BUT YEAH. MONEY AND ALSO SKILLZ. I think I would collapse. XD
THIS IS AMAZING! 😀 How can you keep getting more awesome Cait? IT’S IMPOSSIBLE I TELL YOU. You already take AMAZING photos and now this? Thanks so much for sharing, I can’t wait to give this a go myself! :O
I DON’T KNOW. IT’S JUST WHO I AM TO BE SO FABULOUS. *flips hair*
Ohh yes. Pic Monkey. Pic monkey is the best thing to happen to me since blogging. I never thought about adding color to black and white pictures. I have no idea why it never crossed my mind, it looks so cool!! Your pictures are always so pretty. Your a great photographer! Thanks Cait for that tutorial!
Picmonkey saved my soul when Picnic closed down. xD And picmonkey is even BETTER (particularly since you can use whatever font in the world you want XD)
Aww, thanks!! :’)
This is great, thanks for sharing! I love black and white photographs, especially with a little bit of color. I used to scan my black and white photos into photoshop back in high school and hand “paint” them (well, mouse-paint, anyway). 😀 How do you get PicMonkey for free, though? When I go to the page it says you only get a one-month trial. =/
WOAH YOU ARE OLD. *rolls on the floor laughing* I joke, I joke. I am old too. I actually didn’t even internet until I was like 18. -_- Oh oh! But you only have to pay if you want the royal features. You can do a LOT on the freebie pictures. Just drop a photo onto the screen and start editing. Anything with the “crown” symbol means you have to pay. I haven’t signed up for any free-trials for the royale features, because I’m worried I’d get addicted to them. FREE IS FOR ME.
Hah, if only it were a joke. 😛
Oh, that is very confusing. I can’t even see a place for regular PicMonkey. Jeez, people are just out to get my money! I will have to look at that more, because I need a straightforward photo editor. (I suppose actually taking pictures would be another good place to start.)
CAIT I THINK I LOVE YOU.
OH WAIT. YES. I DEFINITELY DO.
I haven’t heard of picmonkey before and sadly don’t have time to play with it this second but it looks awesome!!! *flailing* I also do not have photoshop and am cheap so I use shabby edity things on my computer, or Pixlr.com which is fabulous ish but still not perfect… but I love it anyway. Picmonkey looks very similar and I can’t waiiiit to try it!!! *flailing* YOU ARE AWESOME. I can’t wait to play around with colors and lack thereof and all the beautiful things. I love making “covers” for my books and stuff. XD)
I must brainstorm tutorial ideas… Hmm… TEACH US ALL THE THINGS O WISE CAIT RULER OF THE TUTORIALS AND WORLD!
YES, OF COURSE YOU LOVE ME. HOW COULD ANYONE NOT LOVE ME? I’M ENTIRELY LOVEABLE. *self five* AHEM. But yes, picmonkey is totally worth trying because it’s a little cleaner/nicer than pixlr. I like pixlr for putting layers on photos though. xD I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW PHOTOSHOP. But I think it would kill me. xD
“With the rise of my deep and adoring love of Instagram and photography, I’ve started to weep over my photo editing skills. Um, I mean lack thereof. “HOW DO I DO THAT?” I howl. “I DON’T EVEN HAVE PHOTOSHOP. I’M SO INEPT.”” Please. Can I have half of your ineptness then? You always have lovely photos.
I never thought about getting picmonkey before. But that looks super easy and it really makes me think I’m missing out on some great photo opportunity here. Thanks for sharing this tutorial!
Hehehe, we all think we’re inept, probably, don’t we?! AH THE STRIFE OF BEING A PERFECTIONIST. You don’t have to “get” picmonkey either, because it’s online! HURRAH! No sign in even needed. ^_^
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I have always wondered how people do this, and oh my goodness- this is so easy and wonderful and perfect! And the best part is, I can do this now with other effects like sepia and such! Cait, you are AMAZING! (I mean, even more amazing than before I read this post, which I didn’t even know was possible but apparently is.)
It is so easy right?! I was so surprised at how EASY it was. Barely even any complicated steps. :’) THE PICMONKEY GODS HAVE SHINED UPON US.
OH MY GOD, CAIT. *bows down to you* THIS TUTORIAL IS /GENIUS/ THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH NOW I NEED TO GO TRY THIS. I use PicMonkey pretty often, but I didn’t even realize I could do this with that! AHHHHHH. SOOOOO PRETTY DKGJHSDFGSJDG OMG.
I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU DO IT TO YOUR AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHS.
Ahh! I’ve been wondering how you do this – definitely going to have to try it! Thank you so much for taking the time to show everyone how to do this – you are amazing! xx
IT IS SO EASY. I was expecting it to be so hard so when it wasn’t I was like “oMG I MUST SHOW THIS TO EVERYONE”. XD
Great idea. If I ever get time to do what I really want with my blog I will be trying this out! Emma
YAY!! I HOPE IT’S USEFUL FOR YOU!
Now that is easy, and awesome!! Thanks for this tutorial!
I know right?! SO EASY. I thought it was going to be mega complicated.
Thanks so much for posting this, Cait! It doesn’t seem too difficult… That is, until I try it and it won’t work 😀
I have a request: how do you create an awesome blog header/logo that’s free?
*whispers* I actually have the same questions about headers. HEADERS ARE HARD. I’m not sure I could actually do a good post on that. 🙁 My header was hand drawn by…me. But the struggle for updating is real.
:O
THANK YOU CAIT. I want to do this to a picture now but I do not know what to choose. *shakes head* SOON. Sooon.
DO THEM ALL. that is the only answer.
This is amazing!! I’ve loved picmonkey for years and used it to design the cover of my book. But I never discovered this nifty trick and it’s fabulous. So, thank you very much for sharing the fun!!
YAY I’M SO GLAD IT’S HELPFUL.
I’m so excited about your new found love for photography Cait! This is such a fabulous tutorial, us bloggers need to use all the free programs we can get. And so easy too! Great photos!
Thanks for the tutorial Cait! 😀 I used to have an editing program that allowed me to do this, but it’s not available for Apple 🙁
Scrooges Unite! Yes! I kind of figured this out a while ago when I was clicking around on PicMonkey, but also kind of forgot how to use it. Great reference because I am very un-elephant like (aka I remember squat).
-Monica @ Tomes Project
I LOVE THIS TUTORIAL OH MY GOODNESS. I need to try this out ASAP!
Yaaay! So glad it’s helpful! *commences happy dance*
I’ve always wanted to know how to do this! Thank you. ^ ^
I have been using Picmonkey on several occasions but never knew about this. Haha! Thanks for posting this neat tutorial! Now excuse me as I hop over to Picmonkey… 😉
After you mentioned this I actually went and googled it and saw PicMonkey has a tutorial and I was surprised by how easy it was. I have now done it to far too many of my photos!!! OOPS!!!! But it looks so pretty.
Thank you for sharing your amazingness with us! I have always struggled with photography, so Photoshop is normally my best friend. But, I do not know how to do anything besides standard touch-ups so you can actually see what my picture is (yes, my photography is actually that bad). Photo-editing seems like so much fun and I would love to get more into it, especially with your tutorials! I would love to see more of them!
THAT IS SO EASY. I HAD NO IDEA.
Thanks Cait for the tutorial! I will use it one day 🙂
I really like doing this with my photos, though I use Lightroom and Photoshop, it just looks so cool though.
Thanks for posting this. I am definitely looking forward to trying it. I too am a little inept at most things “photoshop” but this looks like fun!
What a great little tutorial. I love this. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this tutorial! I’m trying to up my Instagram game too, so I’m going to give this a go.
YES TO PICMONKEY! I love it so, so much. The fonts are just so beautiful.
Why did I only see this tutorial now? O_O This is glorious! Thanks for this, Cait! 😀
OMG! I was wondering about this technic for a long time 😀 thank you so much Cait for the tutorials 😀
You’re most welcome! I’m so glad it was helpful.🎉