Creating a background black and white in PicsArt while keeping your subject in full color is a powerful technique that immediately draws the viewer's eye. This method, often called selective color, leverages contrast to tell a story and emphasize the most important element of your image. With the right steps, you can transform an ordinary photo into a striking piece of art that highlights emotion and focus.
Preparing Your Image for Editing
The foundation of a great black and white background lies in the initial preparation. Before you even think about desaturating, you need to ensure your subject is clearly defined against the background. A high-resolution image with good lighting will give you more flexibility and produce a cleaner final result. PicsArt provides the tools you need, but starting with a quality photo makes the process significantly easier and faster.
Isolating the Subject
Using the Cutout Tool
The most effective way to protect your subject is to isolate it completely. The Cutout tool in PicsArt is specifically designed for this task, allowing you to trace the outline of your main object with precision. By creating a mask around your subject, you ensure that the subsequent color adjustments only affect the areas behind it. This step is critical for achieving a professional look where the edges are clean and the transition is seamless.
Alternative Selection Methods
If the Cutout tool feels too complex for your scene, PicsArt offers other selection methods that can yield similar results. The Brush Select tool allows you to paint over your subject manually, which is great for images with complex edges. For simpler shapes, the Lasso tool provides a quick way to draw a precise boundary. Regardless of the method you choose, the goal is the same: define the area you want to keep in color.
Converting the Background to Black and White
Once your subject is selected, it's time to apply the effect to the background. The process involves two main actions: desaturating the image and adjusting the tone. You want to drain the color from the background completely while maintaining enough contrast to make the scene dramatic. PicsArt's intuitive sliders allow you to control the intensity of the black and white, ensuring the background supports the subject rather than competing with it.
Refining the Effect
Adjusting Brush Opacity
After applying the desaturation, you might notice the effect is too harsh or slightly overlapping your subject. This is where the brush refinement comes in. PicsArt allows you to lower the opacity of your brush to gently blend the edges. By carefully painting over the boundary between the subject and the background, you can soften the transition and create a more natural look. This step is where the attention to detail truly elevates the final product.
Inverting Your Selection
If you find it difficult to paint only on the background, there is a clever workaround. You can invert your current selection so that the background is selected instead of the subject. With the background now selected, any desaturation or brush adjustments you make will only apply to that area. This method is often faster and more accurate, especially for complex images where the background has intricate details that are hard to mask manually.
Finalizing and Saving
The last step is to review your work with a critical eye. Zoom in to check the edges of your subject to ensure there are no accidental color leaks or harsh grayscale intrusions. Adjust the brightness or contrast of the background if necessary to ensure your subject pops off the screen. Once you are satisfied with the balance between the monochrome background and the colorful subject, save your creation to preserve your artistic vision.
