How to Change the Color of an Object in Photoshop

(Last updated on September 1st, 2023)

Short Summary

• In this article, you will learn how to change the color of any object in Photoshop using some simple tools and techniques
• The main steps are:
  • Select the object using the Quick Selection Tool or the Object Selection Tool
  • Adjust the hue and saturation using the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer
  • Fine-tune the color and contrast using the Curves adjustment layer and the Blend If option
  • Add some details and realism using the Brush Tool or the Clone Stamp Tool
  • Export and save your image as a JPEG, PNG, or PSD file
• By following these steps, you will be able to transform your photos and unleash your creativity with colors in Photoshop

Have you ever wanted to change the color of an object in your photos? Maybe you want to make your eyes blue, your hair pink, or your shirt green. Or maybe you want to create a different mood, a contrast, or a harmony with the colors in your image. Whatever the reason, changing the color of an object in Photoshop is a fun and easy way to transform your photos and unleash your creativity.

In this article, I will show you how to change the color of an object in Photoshop using some simple tools and techniques. You will learn how to select the object, adjust the hue and saturation, fine-tune the color and contrast, add some details and realism, and export and save your image. By the end of this article, you will be able to change the color of any object in Photoshop like a pro.

Why Change the Color of an Object?

There are many reasons why you might want to change the color of an object in Photoshop. Here are some examples and scenarios where changing the color of an object can enhance your image or convey a message:

• You want to correct or improve the color balance, exposure, or white balance of your image.
• You want to match the color of an object to another object or element in your image
• You want to create a different mood, atmosphere, or emotion with the colors in your image
• You want to emphasize or draw attention to a certain object or element in your image
• You want to experiment with different color combinations and schemes
• You want to have fun and express yourself with colors

However, changing the color of an object in Photoshop is not always easy or straightforward. There are some challenges and limitations that you need to be aware of, such as:

• The quality and resolution of your image
• The shape and size of the object
• The original color and texture of the object
• The lighting and shadows on the object
• The background and surroundings of the object

These factors can affect how realistic and natural your color change looks. Therefore, you need to use the right tools and techniques to achieve the best results.

Step 1: Select the Object

The first step to change the color of an object in Photoshop is to select the object that you want to modify. There are many ways to select an object in Photoshop, but one of the easiest and fastest methods is to use the Quick Selection Tool or the Object Selection Tool.

The Quick Selection Tool allows you to make a selection by dragging over an area of similar pixels. The tool automatically detects the edges of the object and creates a selection based on them. To use this tool, follow these steps:

• Select the Quick Selection Tool from the toolbar or press W on your keyboard
• Choose a brush size that is suitable for your object. You can adjust the brush size by using the bracket keys [ and ] on your keyboard
• Drag over the object that you want to select. The tool will create a selection around it
• If you need to add or subtract from your selection, you can use the plus (+) or minus (-) icons on the options bar or hold down Alt/Option on your keyboard while dragging
• To refine your selection, you can use the Select and Mask option on the options bar or press Ctrl+Alt+R/Command+Option+R on your keyboard. This will open a new window where you can adjust various parameters such as edge detection, smoothness, feathering, contrast, and output settings

The Object Selection Tool is similar to the Quick Selection Tool, but it allows you to select an object by drawing a rectangle or a lasso around it. The tool will automatically analyze the content within your selection and create a more precise selection based on it. To use this tool, follow these steps:

• Select the Object Selection Tool from the toolbar or press W on your keyboard
• Choose a mode from the options bar: Rectangle or Lasso. The Rectangle mode allows you to draw a rectangular selection around your object, while the Lasso mode allows you to draw a freeform selection around your object
• Draw a selection around your object. The tool will create a more accurate selection based on it
• If you need to add or subtract from your selection, you can use the plus (+) or minus (-) icons on the options bar or hold down Alt/Option on your keyboard while drawing
• To refine your selection, you can use the Select and Mask option on the options bar or press Ctrl+Alt+R/Command+Option+R on your keyboard. This will open a new window where you can adjust various parameters such as edge detection, smoothness, feathering, contrast, and output settings

Once you have made a selection of your object, you can save it for later use by going to Select > Save Selection. This will allow you to load your selection anytime by going to Select > Load Selection. If you’re ever unsure, deselecting in Photoshop and starting again is always an option.

Step 2: Adjust the Hue and Saturation

The next step to change the color of an object in Photoshop is to adjust the hue and saturation of your selection. If you’re ever working with a large area and want to see finer details, it can be handy to know how to zoom in on Photoshop. Hue is the color itself, while saturation is the intensity or purity of the color. To adjust the hue and saturation of your selection, you can use the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.

The Hue/Saturation adjustment layer allows you to change the color of your selection by using sliders and options. To use this adjustment layer, follow these steps:

• Make sure your selection is active
• Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation or click on the Hue/Saturation icon on the Adjustments panel
• A new adjustment layer will appear on top of your layers panel with a mask that matches your selection
• On the Properties panel, you can adjust the hue, saturation, and lightness sliders to change the color of your selection
• You can also choose a color range from the drop-down menu to target a specific color in your selection and change it
• You can also use the Colorize option to apply a single hue to your entire selection

Here are some examples of how you can change the color of your selection using the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer:

• To change the color of a red apple to green, you can use the following settings: Hue: +100, Saturation: +50, Lightness: 0, Color Range: Reds
• To change the color of a blue sky to purple, you can use the following settings: Hue: +50, Saturation: +50, Lightness: 0, Color Range: Blues
• To change the color of a yellow flower to pink, you can use the following settings: Hue: -50, Saturation: +50, Lightness: 0, Color Range: Yellows
• To change the color of a brown dog to black, you can use the following settings: Hue: 0, Saturation: -100, Lightness: -50, Color Range: Master
• To change the color of a white shirt to orange, you can use the following settings: Hue: +30, Saturation: +100, Lightness: 0, Color Range: Master, Colorize: On

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Step 3: Fine-tune the Color and Contrast

The third step to change the color of an object in Photoshop is to fine-tune the color and contrast of your selection. Color and contrast are important factors that affect how realistic and natural your color change looks. To fine-tune the color and contrast of your selection, you can use the Curves adjustment layer.

The Curves adjustment layer allows you to adjust the brightness and contrast of your selection by using graphs and points. To use this adjustment layer, follow these steps:

• Make sure your selection is active
• Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves or click on the Curves icon on the Adjustments panel
• A new adjustment layer will appear on top of your layers panel with a mask that matches your selection
• On the Properties panel, you can adjust the curve for each channel (RGB) or for each individual channel (Red, Green, Blue)
• You can also use the eyedropper tools to set black, gray, and white points for your selection

Here are some examples of how you can fine-tune the color and contrast of your selection using the Curves adjustment layer:

• To increase the contrast of your selection, you can use a simple S-shaped curve for each channel (RGB)
• To reduce the contrast of your selection, you can use an inverted S-shaped curve for each channel (RGB)
• To make your selection warmer or cooler, you can adjust the curves for each individual channel (Red, Green, Blue). For example, to make your selection warmer, you can increase the red curve and decrease the blue curve. To make your selection cooler, you can do the opposite
• To make your selection more vibrant or muted, you can adjust the curves for each individual channel (Red, Green, Blue). For example, to make your selection more vibrant, you can increase both ends of each curve. To make your selection more muted, you can decrease both ends of each curve

Another option to fine-tune the color and contrast of your selection is to use the Blend If option. This option allows you to blend your selection with the background based on their luminosity values. To use this option, follow these steps:

• Double-click on your adjustment layer to open its Layer Style window
• On the Blending Options tab, you will see two sliders under Blend If: This Layer and Underlying Layer
• You can drag these sliders to define how much of each layer should be visible based on their brightness levels
• You can also split each slider into two by holding down Alt/Option on your keyboard while dragging. This will create a smoother transition between layers

Here are some examples of how you can use the Blend If option to fine-tune the color and contrast of your selection:

• To make your selection blend better with the background, you can drag the This Layer slider to the left or the Underlying Layer slider to the right. This will hide the darker or lighter parts of your selection and reveal the background
• To make your selection stand out more from the background, you can drag the This Layer slider to the right or the Underlying Layer slider to the left. This will hide the lighter or darker parts of the background and reveal your selection

Step 4: Add Some Details and Realism

The fourth step to change the color of an object in Photoshop is to add some details and realism to your selection. Details and realism are important factors that affect how believable and natural your color change looks. To add some details and realism to your selection, you can use the Brush Tool or the Clone Stamp Tool.

The Brush Tool allows you to paint over your selection with different colors, sizes, shapes, and opacities. The Clone Stamp Tool allows you to copy pixels from one area of your image and paste them over another area. To use these tools, follow these steps:

• Create a new layer above your adjustment layers and name it “Details”
• Select the Brush Tool or the Clone Stamp Tool from the toolbar or press B or S on your keyboard
• Choose a brush size, shape, color, and opacity that is suitable for your object. You can adjust these settings on the options bar or by using the bracket keys [ and ] on your keyboard
• If you are using the Clone Stamp Tool, you need to set a source point by holding down Alt/Option on your keyboard and clicking on an area of your image that you want to copy
• Paint or stamp over your selection to add some details and texture to it. You can use different brushes and colors to create different effects
• You can also use the Eraser Tool or a layer mask to erase or hide any unwanted parts of your painting or stamping

Here are some examples of how you can add some details and realism to your selection using the Brush Tool or the Clone Stamp Tool:

• To add some highlights and shadows to your selection, you can use a soft round brush with a low opacity and a white or black color. You can paint over the areas where the light hits or where the shadows fall on your object
• To add some texture and pattern to your selection, you can use a textured brush with a high opacity and a color that matches your object. You can paint over the areas where you want to create some variation or interest on your object
• To add some noise and grain to your selection, you can use a spatter brush with a low opacity and a black or white color. You can paint over the entire selection to create some noise or grain effect on your object
• To add some hair or fur to your selection, you can use a hair brush with a high opacity and a color that matches your object. You can paint over the edges of your selection to create some hair or fur effect on your object

Step 5: Export and Save Your Image

The final step to change the color of an object in Photoshop is to export and save your image. Exporting and saving your image allows you to share it with others or use it for other purposes. To export and save your image, you can use different file formats and quality settings.

The file format determines how your image is compressed and stored. Different file formats have different advantages and disadvantages depending on your needs. Some of the most common file formats are JPEG, PNG, and PSD.

JPEG is a file format that compresses your image by discarding some information. This reduces the file size but also reduces the quality of your image. JPEG is suitable for images that have many colors, gradients, or details, such as photos.

PNG is a file format that preserves all the information in your image. This maintains the quality of your image but also increases the file size. PNG is suitable for images that have few colors, sharp edges, or transparency, such as logos.

PSD is a file format that saves all the layers and adjustments in your image. This allows you to edit your image later but also requires more storage space. PSD is suitable for images that you want to keep working on in Photoshop.

The quality setting determines how much compression is applied to your image. Higher quality settings result in higher quality images but also larger file sizes. Lower quality settings result in lower quality images but also smaller file sizes.

To export and save your image as a JPEG, PNG, or PSD file, follow these steps:

• Go to File > Export > Export As or press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S/Command+Option+Shift+S on your keyboard
• A new window will open where you can choose the file format, quality setting, and other options for your image
• Choose JPEG, PNG, or PSD from the Format drop-down menu
• Adjust the Quality slider or enter a value between 0 and 100 for JPEG, or choose Smallest or Largest for PNG
• You can also adjust the Width and Height values or the Scale percentage to resize your image.
• You can also check or uncheck the options for Convert to sRGB, Embed Color Profile, Transparency, Metadata, and Color Space
• Click on Export All or Export to save your image to your desired location

To save your image as a Photoshop document with layers, follow these steps:

• Go to File > Save As or press Ctrl+Shift+S/Command+Shift+S on your keyboard
• A new window will open where you can choose the file name, location, and format for your image
• Choose Photoshop from the Format drop-down menu
• You can also check or uncheck the options for Layers, As a Copy, Embed Color Profile, and Save as a Copy
• Click on Save to save your image as a PSD file

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have learned how to change the color of an object in Photoshop using some simple tools and techniques. You have learned how to select the object, adjust the hue and saturation, fine-tune the color and contrast, add some details and realism, and export and save your image. By following these steps, you can change the color of any object in Photoshop like a pro.

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you have fun and express yourself with colors in Photoshop. 😊

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)