i’m currently in the middle of creating a theme for PC based docks (Rocketdock, Objectdock, etc…). i just finished an icon set for Adobe as their shortcut icons are somewhat “lacking”. so today I’ll show you how i did it.
here’s what the final product looks like (i put in a background so they stand out better, the final result has a transparent background):
i have heard this method called everything from “Technocoloring” to “Retro-Coloring” to “Old Skool (with a K mind you) Colors”… i call it color matching. why? because that’s what the primary tool used is called “match color” and i’m sooooo not trendy.
so what’s the point of doing this? the list can get pretty long but i usually find most people like it for looking cool and the “WTF factor”*. why am blarghing about this in the first place? well, i had to use this process for a client recently and it can bring about some interesting results.
so! off we go into color matching!
*i really need to write about the WTF factor…..
first things first, fire up ye old Photoshop. I’m using CS4, but this works on pretty much all the latest versions of PS (just don’t ask me for help, I’m already lost).
Part the 1: Open
select the file you want to use and open up that bad boy. simple!
Part the 2: Layers
the first thing you’re going to want to do is create a new layer. you can name this layer if you want, but we won’t be creating any new ones… so ball’s in your court.
Part the 3: Rule of threes!
make sure you’re highlighted on the new layer and select the rectangular marquee tool.
//tangent… those of you not familiar with the rule of threes when it comes to photography, google it please. Not for me, for you.
\\end tangent
with the rectangular marquee create a section that cover’s one 33.3% of the image.
Part the 4:
now let our adventure take use to the swatches pallet and select solid annoying red (#ff0000). mash alt+backspace, and now your selection should be solid red.
4.1
select the middle area of the picture and create another section that cover’s 33.3% of the image.
back to the SWATCHES!!! this time select boring old green (#00ff00), alt+backspace it.
4.2
repeat above steps but fill the last selection with wonderful blue (#0000ff).
you should have something that looks like this:
Part the 5:
go back to you layers and hide our pretty color bar layer (click that eyeball, you know you like it!).
Part the 6:
navigate up to the Image menu and select Adjustments > Match Color. it’s time to get funky up in here!!!
this will bring up the match color dialogue box. don’t let it scare you.
set the source as the photo your using, and the layer as our awesome color bar box layer.
FREAK OUT! live preview should have kicked in. interesting isn’t it?
DON’T TOUCH THE LUMINANCE!!! well you can, but it’s not really going to help that much.
FADE! yes, that’s where we want to go! bump that bad boy up… you should start to see an effect on the image. i usually start off with it around 60% to begin with; but that’s just me.
COLOR INTENSITY!!! it’s intense! basically, play around with the slider as you so desire until you get the effect that you’re going after.
that’s pretty much it. if you want to get all crazy (and I know you do) feel free to change up the colors in the color layer.
below are some examples I decided to bust out for this piece (yo).
You can click each image or use the navigation that is inside the lightbox… the choice is yours!
ORIGINAL:
THE RESULT:
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THE RESULT:
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THE RESULT:
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THE RESULT:
ORIGINAL:
THE RESULT:
