Question about using sponge tool in PS

10/10/2007 12:45:00 AM · #1

About using the sponge tool to saturate/desaturate, is there a way to use it to work on only one colour? What I mean, let's say I have a picture of a branch with leaves that are green, yellow, orange, red. Let's say I want to desaturate only the yellows and saturate only the reds (that's just a silly example). But ... is there a way to do this?

10/10/2007 12:50:41 AM · #2

No, I think it is limited to all colors. Would probably have better luck with layer masks on a hue/sat layer.

The sponge tool might work on individual channels. I've never tried it, but don't think it will.

10/10/2007 01:19:12 AM · #3

Hmmmm. I just tried it, you can use it on individual channels, and it works, but it's hard to see what you're doing because it looks all grey until you get the channels together again (or maybe there's a different way to work in channels?).

That's not quite the same thing I was trying to do though. I wish the sponge tool could be set to particular colours or something like that.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/10/2007 01:38:34 AM · #4

Originally posted by ursula:

...it looks all grey until you get the channels together again (or maybe there's a different way to work in channels?).

I believe buried in the Photoshop Preferences is one to "Display Color Channels in Color" or something similar.

Also, in my version (5.0), you appear to be able to edit a single channel (e.g. Green) while displaying the RGB composite -- you highlight the channel you want to edit, and then click the little eye icon to turn the RGB diplay back on without selecting it as the active channel for editing.

10/10/2007 01:49:59 AM · #5

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Also, in my version (5.0), you appear to be able to edit a single channel (e.g. Green) while displaying the RGB composite -- you highlight the channel you want to edit, and then click the little eye icon to turn the RGB diplay back on without selecting it as the active channel for editing.

Wow, that works! Thanks. That allows to have finer control over the sponge tool (and others) while still seeing exactly what I'm doing. Still doesn't give the precise individual colour control that I was wishing for, but it's a step ahead (and useful to know for other stuff).

Thanks to both of you!

10/10/2007 01:52:35 AM · #6

GeneralE's brain is large :-) I still continue to learn stuff here.

10/10/2007 01:54:25 AM · #7

That's the reason he has that huge hat. His brain just didn't fit into a normal sort of hat. :)

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/10/2007 02:00:47 AM · #8

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

GeneralE's brain is large :-) I still continue to learn stuff here.

Hey, I had PS open anyway, so I just spent 2-3 minutes verifying a suspicion -- I don't think I've ever had occasion to use this particular feature before ... I've been using (this version of the) program for over ten years, but I find out new stuff all the time too.

10/10/2007 02:01:10 AM · #9

So, if I get one of those hats, will my brain grow into it, or am I just stuck with the little hat?

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/10/2007 02:05:11 AM · #10

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

So, if I get one of those hats, will my brain grow into it, or am I just stuck with the little hat?

One of these Beanys should help you get off the ground ...

10/10/2007 02:15:13 AM · #11

Originally posted by GeneralE:

One of these Beanys should help you get off the ground ...

OMG, I have been wanting to get a beanie for a photo... thanks :-)