In this tutorial we will be turning a full color photograph into a black and white photograph with a splash of color applied to select elements of the photo. We will be using GIMP 2.10 for this 7 step technique , which is known as color splash, color pop or color isolation. If you'd like to see a video version of this tutorial, you will find it at the bottom of this tutorial or on YouTube.

Step 1: Find a picture with a standout feature

I recommend starting with a picture that has a standout object or color even before the color splash effect is applied. This picture composition will be that much more enhanced upon applying the color splash effect to that standout portion of the picture. Once the picture is identified, open it in GIMP.

Step 2: Edit picture brightness and contrast

This is an optional step, but I recommend applying some basic edits to the photo brightness and contrast. This can be done by selecting Colors -> Brightness-Contrast menu item, then making brightness contrast adjustments in the Brightness-Contrast dialog box that opens.

Step 3: Duplicate Layer

Create a new layer that is a copy of the existing layer by right clicking the layer with your image and selecting Duplicate Layer from the popup menu that appears. This new layer will be modified in the following steps.

Step 4: Add alpha channel to top layer

The alpha channel adds transparency to the top layer, therefore, when we begin erasing from the top layer that will reveal color from the bottom layer. Adding an alpha channel is accomplished by right clicking the top layer and selecting Add Alpha Channel from the popup menu that appears. You won't experience the effects of adding the alpha channel until step 6.

Step 5: Remove color from (desaturate) top layer

You can't have a splash of color without the rest of the image being in black and white. Desaturating the top layer makes it black and white. This can be done by selecting Colors -> Desaturate -> Desaturate menu item, then selecting Average from the Desaturate dialog box that opens.

Step 6: Erase the color isolation area from top layer

This step involves erasing areas of the top layer to reveal a splash of color from the bottom layer. Use the erase tool with the Hardness 050 brush, to begin erasing. You may want to start with the outline, then work your way in, zooming in and out as necessary.

Step 7: Additional color enhancement

 To make the splash of color a little more vibrant, you may want to use the color balance tool available at Colors -> Color Balance.

And that is it!

If you have any questions, or would like to provide a link to a color splash photo that you've edited, sign up to the site, then log in and leave a comment below. Also find some other color splash photos that I've done below. Also, for more JayMedia pics visit the @jaymedia_group instagram. You can also visit my personal instagram: @dionjohnson.