It's official!

[libra]

Colorization must be the toughest thing that I have ever had to get to grips with in Photoshop! How in the world did Silky make it look so easy?

<---- beating head against wall...

[Scott]

She's fabulous at it. The best I've ever seen. I think she calls up demons or sprites or fairies or something that uses magic on her images. I've tried and I can't come close to her results.

And the scary thing..... often she con colorize an image in under 15 minutes.... I'm just in total awe.

[libra]

[QUOTE=Jolt]She's fabulous at it. The best I've ever seen. I think she calls up demons or sprites or fairies or something that uses magic on her images. I've tried and I can't come close to her results.

And the scary thing..... often she con colorize an image in under 15 minutes.... I'm just in total awe.[/QUOTE]

lol, that makes me feel better..... NOT ;-p

I am wondering if it is because I am used to working in CMYK for print. The whole concept is arse about face - I just can't get my head around it.

Jolt, do you know if it is possible to achieve the same effects by working in the channels instead as an alternative, or is masking the best route to go?

[Dave]

Maybe it's because I'm a total amateur and very much a novice at this but I personally found Silky's colorisation method very easy once I'd used it a couple of times, I mess about to see if I can get different effects with the mask and brushes, sometimes I do, most time I don't.

I have seen colorisation tutorials using the CMYK approach, they just don't come near this masking method for great looking results .... check Silky's gallery there are many fine examples of her work. Just don't look at mine! :)

[Scott]

I honestly can't see how you could get Silky's results via channels. Well, I suppose if you really understand how grey interacts on the channel if might be possible.

It took me about 5 or 6 times running through Silky's method before the light bulb lit up... yeah I'm dim at times :) Working RGB for color does take a mind-shift if you're accustomed to CMYK. But once the bulb lights up, it's just a process of steps. The trick is... getting to know the steps well enough to get that perfect color. But like everything, that's where the expertise comes in.

[libra]

lol thanks guys. I guess attempt 3 isn't so bad then... I am losing count of the amount of times that I have had to revert back to a previously saved version inbetween starting from scratch. I will plod on regardless and wait for that lightbulb to hit me - not giving up yet (but hardly likely to ever make a contest deadline on colorization at this rate ;-)

[Dave]

[QUOTE=libra]lol thanks guys. I guess attempt 3 isn't so bad then... I am losing count of the amount of times that I have had to revert back to a previously saved version inbetween starting from scratch. I will plod on regardless and wait for that lightbulb to hit me - not giving up yet (but hardly likely to ever make a contest deadline on colorization at this rate ;-)[/QUOTE]
That's one BIG rule in Photoshop save, save, save and save again ..... you know the one rule you learned the hard way when your computer crashed eight hours into a piece of complex work you hadn't saved .... (I've done it too!)

Actually the nice thing about using masks is you CAN rub it out and start again ..... repeatedly!

[jameschino88]

Lol, a few years ago before I knew her better, she did such a good job I accused her of cheating!!

[Silky]

[QUOTE=jameschino88]Lol, a few years ago before I knew her better, she did such a good job I accused her of cheating!![/QUOTE]

I remember that! Lucky for you I don't hold a grudge...:D

[1cowabunga]

A few years ago??? How long has PA been around?

[Dave]

[QUOTE=1cowabunga]A few years ago??? How long has PA been around?[/QUOTE]Since forever :)

Actually the site was "founded" last March but didn't really open to the public until around July, it's grown quite a bit since then.