How do I make black and white videos with selective color in Premiere Pro?

March 7, 2026 · caitlin

Creating black and white videos with selective color in Adobe Premiere Pro allows for a dramatic and artistic visual effect. This technique, often called a "color splash," draws the viewer’s eye to specific elements by keeping them in color while the rest of the scene is desaturated. It’s a powerful storytelling tool that can enhance mood and emphasize key details within your footage.

Achieving Selective Color in Premiere Pro: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making black and white videos with selective color in Premiere Pro involves isolating specific hues from your footage. This is primarily achieved using the Lumetri Color panel and, more advancedly, with keying effects. We’ll walk through the most common and effective methods to achieve this striking visual style.

Method 1: Using Lumetri Color and a Hue Saturation Key

This method is excellent for simpler shots where the color you want to preserve has a distinct and consistent hue. It’s a more accessible approach for beginners.

Step 1: Desaturate Your Clip

First, you need to turn your entire clip into black and white.

Select your video clip in the timeline.
Open the Lumetri Color panel (Window > Lumetri Color).
Navigate to the Basic Correction tab.
Lower the Saturation slider all the way to the left (-100). Your clip is now black and white.

Step 2: Isolate the Color Using Hue Saturation Key

Now, we’ll bring back the color for a specific element.

In the Lumetri Color panel, go to the Curves tab.
Select the Hue Saturation Curves option.
Choose the eyedropper tool labeled "Add Key Point" and click on the color you want to keep in your video. This will add a point on the curve.
You’ll see a new curve appear. Drag this point upwards. This action tells Premiere Pro to boost the saturation for that specific hue.
You may need to adjust the curve slightly to the left and right of your key point. This refines the range of the hue being affected, ensuring you capture the desired color without bleeding into other shades.

Step 3: Fine-Tuning and Adjustments

This is where you perfect the look.

Hue Range: If too much or too little of the color is being affected, you can adjust the "Hue" slider in the Lumetri Color panel’s HSL Secondary section. This allows you to fine-tune the range of the selected hue.
Saturation Boost: Increase the Saturation slider in the HSL Secondary section to make the selected color pop more vibrantly.
Luminance Control: You can also adjust the Luminance slider to brighten or darken the selected color.

Method 2: Using the Ultra Key Effect for More Precision

The Ultra Key effect offers more control, especially when dealing with footage where the desired color might be close to other colors or if you need to isolate a specific object.

Step 1: Apply the Ultra Key Effect

Go to the Effects panel (Window > Effects).
Search for Ultra Key and drag it onto your video clip in the timeline.

Step 2: Key Out the Desired Color

With the clip selected, open the Effect Controls panel (Window > Effect Controls).
Under the Ultra Key effect, set the Key Type to Aggressive.
Use the Key Color eyedropper to click on the color you want to keep. This will make that color transparent, revealing the layer below.

Step 3: Create Your Black and White Layer

Duplicate your original video clip by holding Alt (Option on Mac) and dragging the clip directly above itself on a new track.
On the top clip, apply the Black & White effect (Effects > Color Correction > Black & White).
On the bottom clip, apply the Ultra Key effect.
Use the Key Color eyedropper in the Ultra Key effect to select the color you want to remain in your video.
In the Effect Controls for the Ultra Key effect, change the Output setting to Alpha Channel. This will make the selected color transparent.

Step 4: Refine the Key

Matte Cleanup: Use the Matte Cleanup settings within the Ultra Key effect to refine the edges of your selected color. Adjust Choke, Soften, and Edge Thin for a cleaner look.
Color Correction: You can apply further color correction to the bottom (color) clip to enhance its vibrancy.

When to Use Which Method?

Lumetri Color (Hue Saturation Curves): Best for straightforward shots with a clear, distinct color you want to highlight. It’s quicker and easier for beginners.
Ultra Key: Ideal for more complex scenes, when you need precise control over the color range, or when the color you want to isolate is similar to surrounding colors. It offers more robust edge refinement.

Tips for Stunning Selective Color Videos

Achieving a professional look with selective color requires attention to detail. Here are some expert tips to elevate your work.

Choose Your Color Wisely: Select a color that naturally draws the eye or has symbolic meaning in your scene. A bright red rose in a monochrome garden, for instance.
Consider the Background: Ensure the background is sufficiently desaturated to create a strong contrast. Overly busy or colorful backgrounds can detract from your selective color element.
Maintain Consistency: If you’re highlighting a specific object’s color, ensure it remains consistent throughout the shot. Flickering or changing colors can be distracting.
Subtlety is Key: Sometimes, a less aggressive selective color effect can be more impactful than an overly saturated splash. Don’t be afraid to experiment with saturation levels.
Audio Enhancement: Consider how your audio complements the visual mood. A dramatic selective color scene might benefit from a more atmospheric soundtrack.

Practical Example: Highlighting a Red Car

Imagine a scene where a vintage red car drives through a grayscale cityscape.

You’d desaturate the entire clip using Lumetri Color.
Then, using either the Hue Saturation Curves or Ultra Key, you’d isolate the red hue of the car.
The result is a powerful visual where the car stands out dramatically against the muted urban backdrop, symbolizing its importance or uniqueness.