Quick Guide on How to Change Colors in Photoshop [2025]

Changing the colors of photos is something that is not new for most of us. It is done for various reasons, such as to match a certain theme, make it a little lighter or duller, or perhaps you just want to be creative. But regardless of the reason, we are all here for a reason, and we want to know how we can use Photoshop to change the colors of our photos. With that, in this article, we will learn three methods on how to change colors in Photoshop, with each method detailing each of the steps. Moreover, to give you more options, we will also include an alternative tool that helps you easily change colors without needing to understand a complex feature or interface. So, if you’re ready to be creative, let’s dive in!

Part 1. How to Change the Color in Photoshop by Adding a Hue/Saturation Layer?

There are various methods on how you can change colors in Photoshop, and one of which is adding a hue or saturation layer. This method is popular because it’s easy to use and doesn’t affect the original image. Meaning to say, you are working on a separate layer, and from there, you can change colors without making permanent edits. Moreover, it lets you pick specific colors and adjust their shade, brightness, or intensity.

Here’s how to change colors in Photoshop by adding a Hue/Saturation layer:

Step 1. Begin by selecting the part of the image you’d like to change. Photoshop offers several selection tools, but the Quick Selection Tool is often the most efficient for this task. It lets you easily select the area to be painted over.

Step 2. After that, once you have selected the area you want to change the color of, go to Image, select Adjustments, and choose Hue/Saturation. Alternatively, you can just press Ctrl + U on your keyboard.

Step 3. Now, a window will pop up, and from there, you can adjust or play around with the settings. Take note that adjusting the Hues means changing the colors of the selection. Meanwhile, Saturation can change the selection from black and white to a more saturated look. Lastly, Lightness can make the selection lighter or darker.

Step 4. Once done and you’re satisfied with the result, click OK.

Part 2. How to Change the Color of an Object in Photoshop Using the Color Replacement Tool?

Another method you can use to change colors in Photoshop is by using the Color Replacement tool. This tool allows users to paint over an existing color in an image and replace it with a new one while keeping the original texture, shadows, and lighting intact. It’s especially useful for quickly changing the color of specific objects, like clothing, backgrounds, or accessories, without needing to make a separate selection or use adjustment layers.

Here’s how to change colors in Photoshop by using the Color Replacement tool:

Step 1. Once you have opened the photo in Photoshop, go to the Image tab, select Adjustments, and then choose Replace Color.

Step 2. Next, use the eyedropper tool to select the color that you want to change. Meanwhile, to add areas, click the Add to Sample tool. On the other hand, to remove areas, use the Subtract From Sample tool.

Step 3. Now, change the Hue, Saturation, and Lightness options. Adjust any of them depending on your preference. Once done, click the OK button.

Note: Ensure that Localized Color Clusters are enabled for more accurate masking, and check the Preview option to see changes in real-time as you work.

Part 3. Change Color in Photoshop by Color Balance

For the last method, you can use the Color Balance to change the colors in Photoshop. With this method, you can adjust the overall color tones in your image by shifting the balance between shadows, midtones, and highlights. This gives you greater control over the overall color cast of your photo, allowing you to enhance or correct colors for a more natural look or to create a specific mood. It’s particularly useful for fine-tuning the colors in images with lighting issues or when trying to match a particular color scheme.

The following are the three identical sliders in each section:

• Cyan - Red

• Magenta - Green

• Yellow - Blue

Here’s how to change colors in Photoshop through the Color Balance tool:

Step 1. Once you have opened the photo in your Photoshop, go to the Image tab and choose Adjustments.

Step 2. After that, select the Color Balance from the dropdown menu.

Step 3. Now, move the sliders to adjust the color, and once you’re satisfied with the result, click OK.

Part 4. Extra Bonus: Change the Color with AI

If you're looking for a tool powered by AI to change colors in photos, you can use Picwand AI Photo Colorizer. This free online colorizer utilizes advanced AI algorithms to analyze images and accurately add realistic colors to various objects and scenes. To use this tool, follow the steps below:

Step 1. First, you need to access the tool online since it is a web-based tool.

Step 2. Once you have accessed the tool, click the Add your photos button to import the photo that you want to colorize.

Step 3. After uploading, the tool will automatically change the color of your photo. Once done, select Save in the bottom right corner of the page to download the picture.

With this AI-powered tool, changing the color of a photo can be done so quickly. However, the lack of manual adjustment for color preference might be a slight drawback for some users.

Part 5. FAQs about Changing Colors in Photoshop

Conclusion

Now that you know how to change colors in Photoshop, you also realize that there are several easy ways to change colors in your images, from using Hue/Saturation layers to the Color Replacement Tool and Color Balance. Each method gives you control based on your editing needs. And if you prefer a quicker option, AI tools like Picwand can help you change colors with just a few clicks.
Try out these methods today and see which one works best for you.