Selective coloring is a captivating photo editing technique that allows you to highlight specific elements in a photograph while turning the rest of the image into grayscale or desaturated tones. This creative effect draws attention to your chosen subjects, emphasizing their importance within the frame. While this technique was once accomplished primarily in post-processing software, there are now numerous photo editing apps that make selective coloring accessible to both novice and experienced photographers. In this article, we’ll explore the best photo editing apps that enable you to master the art of selective coloring and add a touch of magic to your images.
1. Adobe Photoshop Express
Adobe Photoshop Express is a mobile version of the iconic Adobe Photoshop software, offering a range of powerful editing tools, including selective coloring. The app allows you to easily desaturate or adjust the color intensity of specific areas within your photos while leaving other parts in full color. With its intuitive interface, precise brush tools, and layers, you can create stunning selective coloring effects with ease.
2. Snapseed
Snapseed, developed by Google, is a versatile and user-friendly photo editing app that provides a dedicated tool for selective coloring. The app’s “Brush” tool allows you to precisely desaturate or enhance the color of specific areas in your photos. Snapseed also offers various filters and adjustments to fine-tune your selective coloring effects, making it a favorite among mobile photographers.
3. LightX Photo Editor & Photo Effects
LightX Photo Editor is a comprehensive photo editing app that includes a powerful selective coloring tool. With LightX, you can isolate and manipulate colors in specific parts of your photos. The app offers a wide range of brushes and blending modes to create precise and artistic selective coloring effects. Additionally, LightX provides tools for adding text, stickers, and other creative elements to your images.
4. Color Pop Effects
Color Pop Effects is a dedicated selective coloring app designed to make the process simple and fun. It allows you to highlight specific colors or areas in your photos while converting the rest of the image to black and white or grayscale. Color Pop Effects offers a user-friendly interface with an array of brush sizes and shapes, making it easy to apply selective coloring with precision.
5. iColorama
iColorama is a powerful photo editing app that includes advanced features for selective coloring. It provides a wide range of brushes, masks, and blending modes, allowing for intricate and creative selective coloring effects. iColorama also offers artistic filters and textures to enhance your images further. While it may have a steeper learning curve, it provides professional-level selective coloring capabilities.
6. PicsArt Photo Editor
PicsArt is a popular photo editing app with a vibrant community of users and a dedicated selective coloring tool. The app allows you to desaturate or enhance specific colors within your photos while preserving the rest in their original state. PicsArt also offers creative overlays, filters, and stickers, making it suitable for users looking to add an artistic touch to their selective coloring edits.
7. Color Splash Effect
Color Splash Effect is another app designed specifically for creating stunning selective coloring effects. It provides an intuitive interface with a variety of brushes and brush sizes for precise color manipulation. Color Splash Effect also offers the option to adjust the color intensity, making it easy to create dramatic and eye-catching selective coloring edits.
8. Superimpose X
Superimpose X is a versatile photo editing app that includes advanced features for selective coloring. While primarily known for its compositing capabilities, it also allows you to isolate and manipulate colors within your photos. The app provides tools for masking and blending, giving you full control over the selective coloring process.
9. Adobe Photoshop Mix
Adobe Photoshop Mix is a mobile app that offers simplified versions of Adobe Photoshop’s features, including selective coloring. It provides an easy-to-use interface for desaturating specific areas of your photos while keeping others in color. Photoshop Mix also allows for basic adjustments and enhancements, making it suitable for quick and effective selective coloring edits.
10. Procreate
Procreate is a powerful digital painting and illustration app available for iOS devices. While primarily designed for artists, it offers advanced tools for selective coloring and creative effects. Procreate’s layering and blending capabilities allow for intricate and artistic selective coloring edits, making it an excellent choice for those looking to add a unique touch to their images.
Tips for Mastering Selective Coloring
- Choose the Right Photo: Selective coloring works best with images that have a clear subject or dominant color element. Look for photos with a subject that stands out against the background.
- Use Precise Brush Tools: When applying selective coloring, use brushes with adjustable sizes and hardness to ensure accurate and clean selections.
- Experiment with Blending Modes: Different blending modes can produce unique results. Experiment with various modes to achieve the desired effect in your selective coloring edits.
- Keep it Subtle: While selective coloring can create dramatic effects, it’s essential to use it sparingly and with purpose. Overuse can detract from the impact of your photos.
- Consider Composition: Pay attention to the composition of your photos and how selective coloring enhances the overall story or mood you want to convey.
Conclusion
Selective coloring is a captivating and creative technique that allows photographers to emphasize specific elements within their images, resulting in striking and impactful photographs. The photo editing apps mentioned in this article offer a range of tools and features to make selective coloring accessible to photographers of all skill levels. Whether you’re an enthusiast looking to experiment with this technique or a professional seeking to add a unique touch to your portfolio, these apps provide the means to create mesmerizing selective coloring effects.
As you explore the world of selective coloring, remember that subtlety and intentionality are key. When used effectively, selective coloring can enhance the visual storytelling of your photos and evoke strong emotions in your viewers. So, pick your favorite app, select your subject, and start adding a touch of magic to your photography through the art of selective coloring.
