While i was doing the 2nd entry for this months pov challenge, i came up against something i hadn't seen before. Everything i tried to layer into the image would lose all color options and become black and white. I have no idea why but i am curious. I use ps7 to layer pics and psp9 for most of the editing. Any suggestions? Thanks, Lee

Added to Challenge page
a creatively thought out pov!! :]

crossed with your question.. if you converted the background image to b&w with greyscale.. you will need to "increase color depth" to 24 bit color... then anything you layer on top of it will be in color while the backgd will remain in b&w (psp8)

Hi Cynlee, Thanks for the advice but I didnt convert to greyscale. Everytime i have tried that on other stuff, i lost all color and couldnt get it back so i quit attempting it. I am very basic with what i can use in photoshop. It took me way over a year befoe i could even do a basic layer lol. Someone finally told me i had to change the background layer name to anything other than background. In this case all i did with the skull was paint out the background, desaturate the image and saved it. Then i was going to add amother layer with the color intact and blend the two but as soon as i moved the new layer onto the old, it turned black and white also. Even after saving and renaming and then reopening , anything with color i tried to add became b&w. Lee

i use PSP mostly... still think the answer is in increasing the backgd image to full 24 bit color (even though it will remain b&w) sure someone can give a clearer answer when using PS.. ;]

Hi again Cynlee, Well i went and looked at what was going on again. I noticed that the "header" name for this pic (when it opened in ps) said (grey) at end. So i clked on "mode" and sure enough it said it was in greyscale. No idea why or how that happened. I clked on cymk (couldn't find a 24 bit color option) and walla - the new layer had color. You set me on a path that explained something new. Thanks again. I dont begin to suggest i may not get thrown by something simple again tho. PS is very user unfriendy i think. Lee

i guess it just depends what you learned on.. i find PSP so much easier to use.. but then PS has a better "save for web" option & unsharp mask :]

I love psp 9. I use it for almost all editing options. I use the ps 7 "save to web", a few of the filters, and for layering. I don't know about "unsharp mask" and i haven't figured out layering in psp yet lol. So many tools - so little knowledge. If i ever learn more than basics, i will probably be dangerous and have to be committed. I have had Adode Illustrator 7 thru 9 for 4 years and can't do more than open it lol. Lee

the difference in layering in PSP to PS is, instead of having to select, copy & paste one on the other.. you just click on the header of the image you want to copy.. go to edit, copy (at the top or right click).. click on the header of the image you want to layer to... edit>paste>as new layer the layer palette to the side keeps fine track of them & you can jump between the layers when working on them find it? :]

You open a grayscale image in PhotoShop, Select all, Copy, close the file, Open a new file......PhotoShop automatically sets the new file as a grayscale even if your intial default settings are for RGB. Now anything you paste into that particular file will convert to GS. This usually happens because we are working..."on the fly". I've created a habit of looking at the new file Panel each time I create a new file, and each time I save the file to note the mode. Cool Entry!

I just noticed my last post on this didn't take lol. I did find the way to do what Cynlee told me in psp but then i couldn't move the new layer around. One step forward two steps sideways is my usual path. Anyway i will reread the manual and get there. I appreciate the effort all have taken to help. I will not burden you with the endless barrage of what i can't do lol. Today I learned how to post in forum without timing out, how to enter monthly contest, and how to check for greyscale glitches. I am way ahead of the game. Thank you - thank you - Thank you especially Cynlee for the time, interest and efforts. Lee

Oh Lee this is wicked!!! I just love that image!! So creative and well done with an awesome presentation! Great entry!!

love the cleanness of the presentation..and succeed in all three size angle and state of mind.. brillaint entry... :)

great models ... great capture ... great postwork ... great idea ... SCARY!!!