Change white to a color

[Josie Stahl]

I have a white blanket I would Ike to use in a photo but would like to change the color later in PS. Backwards, I know. Before I go shoot it, is it possible to change white to a light tan and not look fake? How about other colors? Are there any limitations?

[Damien Symonds]

Oh, this is a great question!!!!!

Yes, generally it's possible - and in fact quite easy - to change a white fabric to a light colour eg light tan.  If you have a photo with your white blanket in it, please post it so I can show you how to make the change.

A few caveats:

• Make sure the white blanket isn't overexposed.  There needs to be visible detail in it.  Otherwise yes, the change will look fake.
• You must only expect to change from white to a very light colour.  Pale pastel type colours, you know?  If you attempt to move further, to dark or vivid colours, the fakeness sets in.
• Remember that this change will involve masking.  So be very very careful not to make the masking too complex.  Make sure it's a blanket with straight edges, not frilly edges; and make sure anything on top of the blanket (eg other blankets, or clothing) are also not frilly.

[Josie Stahl]

Thank you Damien. I will post my photo once I have taken it. Thank you for the suggestions.

[Damien Symonds]

Have you taken it yet, @Josie Stahl?

[Josie Stahl]

I have now, Damien. The baby I had planned to take it with bailed on me. Plucked my son in front in front of it so I could post something. This is SOOR.

[Damien Symonds]

Your sidebar says you don't have a calibrator.  Have you, at least, compared your screen to pro lab prints to see how close it is?

[Josie Stahl]

I do have a calibrator and have calibrated to Mpix. I am quite happy with the comparison. The reason for the calibrator sidebar might be because it's an older version that my husband "forced" to work.

[Damien Symonds]

In that case, I have just emailed you.  PLEASE consider it.

[Damien Symonds]

Regarding your original question, could you give me approximate RGB numbers of the colour you'd like the blanket to be?

[Josie Stahl]

Is this the RGB #: a18f80?

 

[Damien Symonds]

That's a hex number, actually, but yes, it'll do

Give me a few minutes ...

[Josie Stahl]

And I have to leave now. I'll be back in 3 hours hopefully.

 

[Damien Symonds]

Ok, that colour is darker than I expected when you first said "light tan".  It's not impossible, but it's going to make for some very tricky masking.

However, if you're game, and have the time to spend on it, you would do it by adding a Solid Color layer of the colour, and setting it to "Multiply" blend mode, then lowering the layer opacity until it looks the way you'd like it.

Then begin the careful masking around the child.

[Josie Stahl]

Ok, I choose a lighter color. How does it look? Looks realistic to me, but then again, I don't see what you see.

[Damien Symonds]

Yep, that seems to work.