Why do I get a bright halo when masking a subject for selective color, and how can I fix it?
Asked 1/18/2014
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2 answers
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I’m creating a selective-color effect by adding a black-and-white adjustment layer and masking the subject so she stays in color. After masking, I’m seeing a bright/white edge along part of the subject’s hand and coat that looks stronger than in the original photo.
What causes this kind of halo when converting the background to black and white, and what’s the best way to remove it?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
2
Update your mask. It's hard to tell from the low res copy you posted, but it appears that the black and white mask is bleeding on to the hand by a little bit.
Originally by user11392. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11392
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The most likely cause is an inaccurate mask edge. If the black-and-white layer overlaps the subject slightly, it can create a bright halo along high-contrast edges like a hand or coat.
A few things can contribute:
- Mask bleed: the mask edge may be shifted or too hard.
- RGB editing: blending color and B&W layers in RGB can change luminosity at the transition, making edges look brighter.
- Sharpening/JPEG artifacts: compression noise and sharpening often exaggerate halos and edge contrast.
To fix it:
- Refine the mask so it follows the subject more precisely.
- Slightly feather the mask edge for a smoother transition.
- Check the edge at higher resolution, ideally from a non-JPEG source if possible.
- If your software allows it, try a luminosity-based workflow/color space to better preserve brightness relationships.
In short: clean up the mask first, then soften the edge a little and avoid letting JPEG/sharpening artifacts influence your edit.
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