Want to make only part of a photo black and white? This classic effect—known as Color Splash or Selective Color—instantly makes your subject pop. In the past, you needed Photoshop layers. Today, you just need a good color splash app.

Sinaï Studio is the best free app to create this effect on iPhone and Android. It uses AI masking to let you "paint" color back onto a monochrome image in seconds with zero subscription fees.

🚀 Why use Sinaï Studio for Color Splash?

AI Masks: Automatically select people or objects so you don't have to paint blindly.
Pro Controls: Adjust the black & white tone (contrast, darkness) separate from the color accent.
Free: Get 25 high-quality exports every day.

What is the Color Splash effect?

The color splash effect turns a photo grayscale while keeping one specific area in its original color. It guides the viewer's eye exactly where you want it—whether it's red lipstick on a portrait, a yellow taxi in a street scene, or a hero product in an ad.

Step-by-step: How to make part of a photo black & white (Free App Method)

Follow this tutorial to create a selective color image in under 2 minutes using Sinaï Studio.

Step 1: Convert to Black & White

Import your photo into Sinaï Studio.
Tap Adjust and slide saturation to -100 (or use a B&W filter).
Constraint: This turns the whole image gray. Now we bring the color back.

Step 2: Paint the Color Splash

Tap the Mask tool.
Choose the Brush (or "Eraser" logic depending on mode—in Sinaï this reveals the original layer).
Paint over the object you want to colorize. The app reveals the original pixels underneath the B&W filter.
Pro Tip: Zoom in! Sinaï Studio's brush uses edge-detection to help you stay inside the lines.

Step 3: Refine edges

If you painted outside the lines, toggle the brush to "Hide" (or "Add to B&W") and clean up the edges. Use the Detailer tool afterwards to sharpen the colored area so it really pops against the blurred or soft background.

Step 4: Export

Tap Export to save your black and white with one color masterpiece in HD. No watermarks attached.

3 Creative ideas for your Color Splash

The "Red Dress": Turn a crowded party scene B&W but keep your outfit in bright red.
Product Focus: For eBay or etsy, make the table and background gray so the item you're selling stands out.
Eye Color Pop: Make a moody portrait entirely monochrome but keep the eyes bright blue or green.

Free alternatives for Desktop

If you aren't on mobile, here are other ways to get the selective color look:

Photopea (Web): Duplicate layer -> Desaturate Top Layer -> Add Layer Mask -> Paint Black.
GIMP (PC/Mac): Colors > Desaturate -> Add Alpha Channel -> Eraser Tool on the subject area.
Snapseed (Mobile Alternative): Tools > Black & White > View Edits > Brush Tool.

Ready to create?

Stop struggling with complex desktop tools. Download Sinaï Studio now to make any photo black and white except one color with professional precision. It's the easiest color splash app you'll ever use.