Getting started with ColorStrokes

ColorStrokes is an easy to navigate photo app that let’s you create photos using “color strokes” technique (also called selective color photography) and also apply various colors on the default image.

“Color strokes” technique assumes you turn the colored picture into monochrome (black and white, sepia, bluetone) and then reveal the color of certain objects on the photo, giving your image impressive dramatic look.

Launch the app by clicking on the lemon logo. You will see a starting screen with several choices: load image (from folders on your Mac), import image (from Aperture or iPhoto), load recent image (the last you worked with).

You may as well drag and drop the image to the box above the “load” buttons.

Once the picture is loaded, it will automatically be turned to monochrome (if you are loading a color shot). You will see the editing menu on the left and control menu on top.

The menu on the left will help you edit your image; adjust colors, gamma, saturation, etc. As well as change monochrome layers, apply special effects and vignette to the picture.

Top menu will help you control the screen view of the picture, zoom in and zoom out, save and share the photo or instantly order prints on canvas (for now this service is available for USA and Canada only)

Making photos with selective colors

First choose the image in color and load it into ColorStrokes. Your photo will open as black and white.

Click on “color” button. Now paint over the image and the brush will reveal the native color of your picture. You can adjust diameter, softness and opacity of the brush for better results.

If you want to erase some color parts, click on “grayscale” button and paint over these areas – the color will disappear.

ColorStrokes let’s you pick several monochrome layers – grayscale (opens as default), sepia (vintage style) and bluetone (lomography). To change the monochrome layer click “grayscale” button – the other options will pop up in the bottom. Click on sepia or bluetone and the grayscale part of the image will change. The color part will remain the same.

You may further enhance your image by tuning the color and monochrome layers. To adjust layers use “adjust” menu. For color layer you can adjust brightness, contrast; add blur; adjust saturation, hue, and exposure.

For monochrome layer adjust brightness, contrast and blur. You may also set the amount of monochrome layer.

How to color images

Load the image in ColorStrokes. If you load the monochrome image it will remain the same; the image in color will turn to monochrome instantly. You can turn the colored image back in color by clicking “invert” on top of editing menu.

To start coloring the image, click “recolor” button, choose color and paint over the desired areas. You may also adjust diameter, softness and opacity of the brush for better results.

There are 12 default colors (click on the color to pick it) or click the “dropper” button to pick your color from a palette. You can mix colors and paint one over another.

Please note: when you are coloring the image, you want be able to use gamma, brightness, hue and other controls of the color layer (they refer to the native color of the image only).

Special effects and vignette

You can add special effect to images in ColorStrokes to make them look more dramatic. Effects are listed in the bottom of editing menu. To apply effect – click the button with this effect.

To add vignette to your photo move the vignette bar to the right.

How to share pictures

Once you are done with editing, you may share your photos via most popular social media. First click “share” on the top menu; you will see a new window with the list of social networks available.

You can share images to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr or send via email. You will need to login with your social account before sending pictures.

How to save/export images.

ColorStrokes allows you to save images in JPEG, JPEG-2000, OpenEXR, Tiff and PNG. You may also customize the saving quality and give the image a random image.

If you want to export pictures to your Aperture, iPhoto or Photoshop, go to File->Export to and pick the destination to export your picture.

Printing on Canvas

As many other tools and features, printing on canvas is exclusively available in ColorStrokes. Click on “print on canvas” icon on the top menu to learn about special offers available.

Canvas printing is currently available for USA and Canada only, but we’re working on expanding the geography of this service.

ColorStrokes on iPhone

All the awesome features of ColorStrokes for Mac put in a special design to fit your iPhone/iPod touch screen.

In addition, ColorStrokes for iPhone will let you order and send postcards to anyone anywhere in the world, plus export your pictures to Instagram and join hundreds of awesome photo contests that we organize on IG.

Check on the App Store