color from grayscale?

[Nemo14]

This might seem like a dumb question, but here goes.

If I have a digital photo that was sent to me that was originally shot in color but converted to grayscale, (apparently for "artsy" reasons), is there any way for me to convert it back to color without the original shot?

 

[ddbowdoin]

Try this...

http://help.adobe.com/en_US/photosh...tml#WSfd1234e1c4b69f30ea53e41001031ab64-73c9a

Converting to indexed color reduces the number of colors in the image to at most 256—the standard number of colors supported by the GIF and PNG‑8 formats and many multimedia applications. This conversion reduces file size by deleting color information from the image.

To convert to indexed color, you must start with an image that is 8 bits per channel and in either Grayscale or RGB mode.

1. Choose Image > Mode > Indexed Color.
   Note: All visible layers will be flattened; any hidden layers will be discarded.
   For grayscale images, the conversion happens automatically. For RGB images, the Indexed Color dialog box appears.
   
   
2. Select Preview in the Indexed Color dialog box to display a preview of the changes.
3. Specify conversion options.

 

[ddbowdoin]

ps... should have asked if you had a full version of photoshop?

 

[Nemo14]

ps... should have asked if you had a full version of photoshop?

Yes I do, but I'm certainly no expert.

- thanks. I'll try that.

 

[Nemo14]

Tried it, but apparently a layer is "partially locked". Does that mean there's no way to adjust it?

 

[thomas998]

This might seem like a dumb question, but here goes.

If I have a digital photo that was sent to me that was originally shot in color but converted to grayscale, (apparently for "artsy" reasons), is there any way for me to convert it back to color without the original shot?

What format is the photo saved in that you have. If it is jpeg then I dont think you have a chance to revive it. I think some photo editing programs save into a their own format that doesn't necessarily eliminate all the color data, but I think if they saved as jpeg then all that would have been lost in the jpeg file.

 

[Nemo14]

Yes, it's a jpeg.

 

[ddbowdoin]

and now I know why I delivered all my work in color & BW...

 

[NowInc]

Yes, it's a jpeg.

If its JPEG, then all the original color data is gone.

You could try RE-COLORING it...but it will most likely not look how you want.

 

[Nemo14]

Yeah, I did some reading last night about it all, and re-coloring seems to be about the only possibility, but it doesn't sound too promising, given my lack of patience with these types of things. Thanks for the info though.I really appreciate it.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Yeah, I did some reading last night about it all, and re-coloring seems to be about the only possibility, but it doesn't sound too promising, given my lack of patience with these types of things. Thanks for the info though.I really appreciate it.

re-coloring is a pain in the A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[CP_alum08]

was it actually converted to grayscale or was it just desaturated?

 

[Nemo14]

I believe it was converted to grayscale, but how can I tell?

 

[CP_alum08]

I believe it was converted to grayscale, but how can I tell?

Open it in PS. Then go to Image>Mode and whatever format it's in will be checked (or highlighted). If it's still in RGB...or anything else really...you *should* just be able to readjust the saturation sliders. If it's in Grayscale I believe you might be SOl.

It really just depends on if the person you got it from knew what they were doing or not. A lot of people just desaturate to get a b&w image because it's quick and easy and can be done in just about any program. But grayscale retains alot more information and ultimate gives you a higher quality end result.

 

[Nemo14]

It does say it's in RGB, but moving the sliders doesn't seem to change it. Is that because it's locked?

 

[ddbowdoin]

It does say it's in RGB, but moving the sliders doesn't seem to change it. Is that because it's locked?

Ok, open photoshop. Click file, open ... When the box comes up, select your file, but don't hit open yet. Click on one of the boxes and you'll be able to select "camera raw". When the file opens up you might be able to select a desaturated / saturated option. I'll have to double check exactly where that is. It's work a shot. You can use Camera Raw even if the file is a jpeg.

 

[Nemo14]

Thanks - I'll give that a try.

 

[Nemo14]

Did some experimenting, and I can now get results using the sliders - just have to fine tune now. Thank you so much!!!!

 

[ddbowdoin]

Did some experimenting, and I can now get results using the sliders - just have to fine tune now. Thank you so much!!!!

not sure if my tip helped, or another persons but I'm glad you can find a way around the issue!