Hand tinting isn't something that you need to spend hours on any more as you can get a similar look and feel in Photoshop.

Software used: Photoshop CS4 Time taken: 5-15 minutes

Step 1: Duplicate layer

Open your image and duplicate the layer (Layer>Duplicate Layer).

Step 2: Turn image black & white

We want to turn the top image black & white and there are several ways you can do this in Photoshop but one of the easiest is to go to Image>Adjustments>Black & White. Here you can adjust the colour sliders until you're happy with the image then click OK.

Step 3: Erase tool

Now we have our black & white image but to give it the hand coloured look we want to add some colour. To do this we're going to use the erase tool to bring the colours of the original image through. So, select the erase tool and lower the opacity of the brush to around 20% then brush over your image to bring the colour back through. You can do this to all of the image or just select parts to add colour to.

Step 4: Blur

The image looks a little too sharp so we're going to duplicate the layer we've been working on (Layer>Duplicate Layer) and we're going to blur it. To do this go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur and set the slider to around 10 pixels then click OK. Now, in the layers palette drag the blurred layer under the black and whit layer you've been using the erase tool on then make sure the black and white layer is selected. When it is change the opacity to around 70% to let some of the blur through. If you're not happy with the image change the opacity until you find a shade you like.




Final image: