There are several ways of accomplishing more vibrant saturated colors in images without affecting the skin tones. Today, we are going to look at one of the fastest and simplest ways to accomplish this: The Sponge Tool!
The Sponge tool increases or reduces the intensity of color in grayscale and color images. Use the sponge tool to draw attention to or take attention away from specific areas in an image. In the sample image below, I want to bring more attention the the subject. Therefore, I am going to show you how to add saturation to her yellow sweater, her green scarf and the foliage around her.
1). Choose the Sponge tool from the tool bar in Photoshop.
How to saturate images in Photoshop using the sponge tool
2). Select your brush size. Next, go to the drop down and select ‘Saturate’. Lastly, select the flow of the sponge tool. What flow means, is how quickly the sponge too releases the color when saturating or adsorbs the color when using the sponge tool to desaturate. I use the sponge tool at 30% flow so I have more control over how quickly the saturation builds. If you increase the flow to 60%, the saturation will increase quicker. The flow setting is a personal choice. Play with it and find where your preference lies.
How to saturate images in Photoshop using the sponge tool
3). Brush the sponge tool over the areas you want to saturate. In this image, I want to saturate the subject yellow sweater, the green scarf, the grass in front of the rock, the grass to the subject’s left, and the grass behind the subject. Go over the image once. See how it looks. Does it look how you want it to look? If not, then go over the areas a second time. Then reassess.
How to saturate images in Photoshop using the sponge tool
4). Before and After.
How to saturate images in Photoshop using the sponge tool
Why add or remove saturation? Adding or taking away saturation in an image provides added dimension and interest in the image. Adding interest is one way to make your images standout amongst the crowd! Give this process a try!
Happy Sponging!
