Can I add a bit of colour to a b&w photo with elements 8?

Question

Hi,I'm looking at purchasing elements 8.The main thing I want to do is a black and white photo with a colour object.Will elements 8 do this? Thanks any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Here are some ways to convert color to B&W but retain selected areas of color
The first method is probably the easiest, and is also described in more detail in the recent forum topic http://forums.adobe.com/thread/512424?tstart=30
Method 1
1. Add Hue/Saturation layer, move Saturation slider all the way left to remove color.
2. Set Foreground & Background colors to B&W defaults.
3. Paint with black to reveal color, paint with white to remove color.
Method 2
1. Duplicate Background layer.
2. Remove color:
    Enhance > Adjust Color > Remove Color
       or
    Enhance > Adjust Color > Hue/Saturation, move Saturation all the way left.
3. Use Eraser tool on duplicate layer to reveal color from Background layer.
Method 3
1. Select the area you want to keep the color, make it a new layer.
2. In background layer,
    Enhance > Adjust Color > Remove Color
       or
    Enhance > Adjust Color > Hue/Saturation, move Saturation all the way left.
Method 4
1. Create a blank layer above the Background layer and set its Blend Mode to Color.
2. Paint with default black or white to remove color.
3. Use  Eraser to restore color.
Method 5
1. Create blank layer above Background layer and set its Blend Mode to Color.
2. Select the area you want to keep the color, and invert the selection.
3. Fill the selection with default black or white to remove the color, and deselect.
4. To remove excess color paint with default black or white. To remove excess B&W use the Eraser.
In all of these methods, use a soft brush or eraser if you want a feathered transition between the color and b&w portions.