[grdnangl313]

I have PSE 9 and am fairly new (don't have alot of time to play around) but I am in the process of coloring one object in a photo to make it pop, in a photo that I have colored into sepia color. The trouble is, my wrist is killing me from doing all this erasing, I need to find an alternative method, so I don't get carpal tunnel!

I have heard a little about a Wacom tablet with a pen that you use, anyone have any insight on these? That would maybe save my wrist from constantly holding down the mouse to erase the color in my photos. (It's really hard in those small/precise areas and takes me so long to do it with a steady hand.)

Any other ideas? Maybe there is just an easier way to do this, and I'm such a novice I just don't know about it??

My photo is attached, I wanted to mute the color a bit to make it look more vintage, but did it at 100% opacity.

Attached File(s)

•  Courtney Jump 6x4 small.jpg (295.2K)
  Number of downloads: 1

[PBarnes]

Using a Wacom tablet and pen may be easier on your wrist.

What I do when I'm trying to accomplish what you are after (if I'm understanding you correctly) is to have one layer with the full color photo underneath a layer that is your sepia version. Then, making the sepia version the active layer, you can erase just the area that you want to be colored, letting the color from the photo below show through. Erasing a small area rather than a whole background goes a lot faster. Does that make sense for you?

[grdnangl313]

Yes that is what I did (pic must not have attached, but it is now) I erased her shirt so it would show through. Does the tablet work better for these things - would it help my wrist? What else do you use your tablet for?

[Smiles]

The tablet is easier on the wrist. I use mine for everything. It took a little bit to get the hang of it (I recommend Solitare for practice), but it is so much more precise than the mouse.
What I had the most trouble with was moving the pen straight across when I was using the top windows, as in file/new/blank file, moving from new to blank file. I think I was moving too slowly. Anyway, I love my bamboo fun now!

[mimes1]

I use a table for extracting items, erasing like in what Pat explained, and for brush work. I love it.

[Belle]

Smiles, on 22 September 2011 - 11:32 PM, said:

The tablet is easier on the wrist. I use mine for everything. It took a little bit to get the hang of it (I recommend Solitare for practice), but it is so much more precise than the mouse.
What I had the most trouble with was moving the pen straight across when I was using the top windows, as in file/new/blank file, moving from new to blank file. I think I was moving too slowly. Anyway, I love my bamboo fun now!

Thanks for these tips Gayle. I am looking at the Bamboo fun at the moment. Still a bit broke from my holiday but definately on my Wish List. What a great idea to practice with Soloitare.

[MariJ]

I love my Bamboo Fun and it sure does help when you want to be precise and you're right, it's easier on the wrist.
As for you coloring, I don't know if this would help, but I love and have had lots of success with Brandy Murray's "Color Isolation" tool.
BMU Color Isolation Tool 8501

What happens is you choose the color combinations you want to keep on your photo and the rest are turned to black and white with one click of your "apply button! It's so cool! For example, I used it in this layout - on the small photo I chose to keep red and pinks and the rest of the photo was turned into black and white!
Hope this helps! Good luck and glad you found ScrapGIrls!

Stamped and Ready-to-Grow

[Belle]

Thanks Marilyn, I just put this in my cart. It seems fantastic.

[MariJ]

Belle, on 23 September 2011 - 07:19 AM, said:

Thanks Marilyn, I just put this in my cart. It seems fantastic.

You're welcome, Belle - it really is! I was so wary of tools and actions.. When SG had the Message board down for those two days I decided to work on things like this. I got it installed and tried it - had a little trouble, but Brandy helped right away... And, it is wonderful to use!

I forgot - I used it in this ATC, too. See how great it works? And, the best part is, Brandy did all the work!

BW color ATC

[Becster]

Wow!!! How did I not know about this?! It's in my cart now, too. Thanks!!!

[MariJ]

Becster, on 24 September 2011 - 10:52 AM, said:

Wow!!! How did I not know about this?! It's in my cart now, too. Thanks!!!

I know what you mean, Becky. I actually had it in my stash for MONTHS before I installed and tried to use it and only did because the MB was down for those 2 days and I needed something to fill my ScrapGirls time!
I'm sure glad that I did... It's great!

[grdnangl313]

Thanks that looks like a really neat tool to use. I just bought my Bamboo Pen and Touch today and it works great for erasing my color from my photos! I guess I don't really know how to maneuver around with the screens yet (not sure I really knew how to do this easily without my Bamboo) but does anyone have suggestions on trying to enlarge my photos when working on them. I wanted to zoom in but it seems to be really really pixelated (moreso than before) I did enlarge the photo with my fingers to expand the screen, but had to lock my two layers together because my top (sepia) layer kept moving around and when I erased it wasn't the right parts on the photo below. Frustrated!