Colorize a Black and white image in
     
Using Curves and Levels
Let's get started
First make sure you are in
RGB mode.
Now select an area that
you want to color. Here I
selected the dress
I always jump over to
Quick Mask Mode to
check my selection. Use
the paint brush to add to
your  selection and the
easer to remove if
needed
Make sure your selection tool
is selected again.   Now with
your mouse in your selected
area, right click and select
Layer via Copy.
It's a good idea to name
this new layer. Your
going to have a few of
them
Here's the fun part
With the dress layer selected in
the Layers pallet, go to Image,
Adjustments, Curves. (Levels will
work as well). Use the drop down
menu to select a color.
The magic begins
You might need to adjust
the other colors to get the
tone you want
Tip: When working around hair
and such in Quick Mode, Lower
the opacity of the brush to
feather in softer areas
Now lets to the
same for the face
When making a
new selection
make sure you
have the
background layer
selected.
(I forget to do this all
the time).
A little red
Now, a little blue
Now for some
eye shadow
Make small
selections over
the eyes
To make multiple selections
Hold down the shift key (PC) as
you start your next selection
Go to Quick Mask Mode
and then Filter, Blur,
Gaussian blur.
Move slider until you get
the feathering you want
Copy layer as "eye shadow"
or rosy cheeks depending.
And back to curves
Remember to play with the
layers opacity level for a
nice blend.
You can play with
all the color
adjusting tools to
get it just right
Don't forget about all
the Layer Styles and
Adjustment Layers
to tweak your
coloring
End
Photoshop
It all works the
same way
The amount of layers need
for this hot rod image