This is a cool one It only works in programs that allow you to use a Pen type tool (setting paths).
1. Grab your image of a person or something
2. Zoom in incredibly far (to a hand or something)
3. Grab your pen tool
4. Outline the area (hand) with the pen tool (this is where zooming in a lot helps because even if you're off by a pixel or 2 it makes no difference)
5. After you have outlined the desired area, save the path (in paths thing, arrow to the right of it, select Save Path)
6. Select your new path, and click Load Path as Selection: http://server2.tacf.org/examples/bwTOcolor2.jpg
7. Use the Image > Adjust > Variations... dialog to grab the "perfect" colour
This technique can also be inverted with colourized pictures to select a specific area you want to only be colourized (a rose for instance). You could then also create an adjustment layer just for that area to bring up the brightness, contrast and saturation to make a truly stunning piece.
1. Grab your image of a person or something
2. Zoom in incredibly far (to a hand or something)
3. Grab your pen tool
4. Outline the area (hand) with the pen tool (this is where zooming in a lot helps because even if you're off by a pixel or 2 it makes no difference)
5. After you have outlined the desired area, save the path (in paths thing, arrow to the right of it, select Save Path)
6. Select your new path, and click Load Path as Selection: http://server2.tacf.org/examples/bwTOcolor2.jpg
7. Use the Image > Adjust > Variations... dialog to grab the "perfect" colour
This technique can also be inverted with colourized pictures to select a specific area you want to only be colourized (a rose for instance). You could then also create an adjustment layer just for that area to bring up the brightness, contrast and saturation to make a truly stunning piece.