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Simple Color Changes
The easiest way to add color to a black-and-white image in RGB is to use Color Balance. Any color can be made using the three sliders, and even a slight addition will be very effective. Indeed, lightly toned prints are usually easier to look at than very strong colors.
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Hue/Saturation
Alternatively, use Hue/Saturation to tone monochrome images. The file must be in RGB and the option ticked. When adjusting the Hue, bear in mind what is happening to the Saturation and alter as necessary. Even at low levels of Saturation (below 10), the color can be very effective. Untick the Preview command to check.
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Adjustment Layers
For even more control, open an Adjustment Layer to regulate Hue/Saturation and Color Balance. This will also keep the original file untouched.
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Blue Toning
Try using Blue Tones for monochrome photographs. Often very effective, they are usually more convincing if not too strong.
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Tonal Control
When toning images, it is a good idea to reduce the contrast slightly and darken the highlights, possibly with Shadow/Highlight, as adding color increases the contrast and some tones will make an image appear lighter. Do the coloring as an Adjustment Layer, so that changes to the original monochrome file can be made at any time.
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Adding Some Black
If the toned image looks too colorful and more black is required in the shadows, make a copy layer of the original Background Layer and convert that to black and white. With this as the top layer, it can then be subtly blended with the toned image, to add more black to the shadows (especially if the contrast is increased), though be careful not to go too far.
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Creating Split Tones
For split-tone effects, when one color tints the highlights and midtones and another the shadows, use Replace Color. Highlight the Image option (found under the thumbnail), and then click on a shadow tone with the Eyedropper. Choose your selection and then slide the Fuzziness control to show the range of the area to be colored. Use the Hue and Saturation sliders to bring the new color into the shot.
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Suitable Colors
Try out different color combinations, but bear in mind that split toning usually works best when the shadow color is darker than the highlight or midtone color, such as sepia and blue, red and blue, and yellow and green.
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Excerpted with permission from 500 Photoshop Hints, Tips, and Techniques (Rotovision), by Mike Crawford. Copyright © 2007 Rotovision.
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