How to Use the Colorize Neural Filter in Photoshop CC: AI Feature

In this lesson on neural filters, we explore the impressive Colorize neural filter in Photoshop CC. This tool is particularly useful for converting black and white images into color with remarkable accuracy and efficiency. We’ll walk through the steps of how to apply this filter and make adjustments to achieve the best results.

Step-by-Step Guide

Open Your Black and White Image: Begin by opening your black and white image in Photoshop. We have two images for demonstration: one is a railroad scene, and the other is a portrait of a woman.
Access Neural Filters: Navigate to Filter > Neural Filters on the top menu. This will open the Neural Filters panel on the right-hand side of your workspace.
Select the Colorize Filter: Scroll down through the filter options until you find Colorize. This filter helps with the recoloration of black and white photographs. Click on it to activate.
Apply Auto Color: Typically, the Auto Color setting provides exceptional results. Photoshop’s AI analyzes the image and applies appropriate colors for various elements like grass, trees, and sky.
Manual Adjustments:
- Saturation and Color Adjustments: You can fine-tune the colors manually if needed. Adjust settings like saturation to enhance specific areas. For instance, increase the blue hue for a more vivid sky.
- Noise Reduction: Especially helpful for older photos, this feature can reduce graininess and improve overall image quality.
- Custom Colors: Click on areas to apply custom colors. For example, you can select a blue hue for the sky. However, manual coloring may not be perfect and can sometimes appear slightly unnatural.
Refine Details:
- Using Masks: If there are areas where the color seems off, such as unwanted green hues, use layer masks to refine these spots. Adjust the opacity and brush settings to blend colors more naturally.
- Smart Filters: Applying the Colorize filter as a smart filter allows for additional adjustments even after applying the initial colorization.

Example Walkthroughs

Railroad Scene

Initial Application: The automatic colorization provided a sharp and vibrant look, correctly identifying and coloring the railroad, grass, and trees.
Sky Adjustment: Manually added a blue hue to the sky, noticing some imperfections but adjusted using masks to ensure a natural look.

Old Portrait

Initial Application: Photoshop's Auto Color quickly added a natural color palette, though some areas appeared slightly exaggerated.
Fine-Tuning: Reduced some saturation levels to minimize any artificial look, used color artifact reduction, and applied noise reduction to smooth out textures.

Keywords

Photoshop CC
Neural Filters
Colorize Filter
Black and White to Color
Auto Color
Manual Adjustments
Noise Reduction
Smart Filters
Layer Masks

FAQs

Q: How does the Colorize neural filter in Photoshop work? A: The Colorize neural filter uses artificial intelligence to analyze black and white images and apply appropriate colors based on the context and content of the image.

Q: Can I manually adjust colors after applying the Auto Color filter? A: Yes, you can manually adjust colors using the provided settings, such as saturation and noise reduction, and even apply custom colors to specific areas.

Q: What should I do if the colorization looks unnatural? A: Use layer masks to blend colors more naturally and refine any areas where the color might appear off. Additionally, adjusting the opacity and brush settings can help achieve a more natural look.

Q: Does the Colorize filter work on all types of images? A: While it works remarkably well on most images, it might require additional adjustments for some photos, especially those with unique textures and lighting.

Q: What is the benefit of applying the Colorize filter as a Smart Filter? A: Applying it as a Smart Filter allows for non-destructive editing, meaning you can make further adjustments even after the initial application.

Q: Can the Colorize filter reduce noise in old photographs? A: Yes, the filter includes a noise reduction feature which is particularly useful for smoothing out grainy textures in older photos.

Explore the Colorize neural filter in Photoshop CC to breathe new life into your black and white photos, making them vibrant and colorful with minimal effort.