Photoshop Fun: Color the focal point

Written by Jamie Chambers

A simple technique using color can make the subject of an image pop. When you want to enhance the focal point of your image, all it takes is a few easy steps.

1. Open a color image in Photoshop. Once this image is open, be sure to duplicate the background layer.

2. With the Pen tool, follow the outside edge of your focal subject. The more points you add with the Pen tool, the better your final trace will be. When you have traced around the entire subject, make sure to connect the beginning and ending points.

Step 2

3. Go to the Paths palette and, from the drop-down menu, select Make Selection.

4. With your subject selected, Copy and then Paste your subject. It will be placed automatically on a new layer.

Step 3 Layer 1

5. Go to your background copy layer and, from the Image drop-down menu, select Adjustments > Desaturate to change the background to grayscale.

Step 5 Desaturate

6. Since your subject is on a separate layer, it will still appear in full color.

Step 6

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Jamie Chambers

Jamie Chambers faced two career path choices in college, and lucky for Walsworth he chose art over accounting. He has been a creative influence for Walsworth for 17 years, currently as Design & Creative Concepting Supervisor in the Marketing Department. For 10 years, as an artist and supervisor for the Creative Services Department, Jamie traveled to workshops to collaborate with yearbook staffs to develop their covers and theme packages.