Erasing to history

[desi]

I recently took a photoshop class and we did these exercises where you change the hue/saturation ( sepia etc.) and then you go back and erase parts of the photo to the original colors by checking the erase to history box. I tried to do that with one of my layouts today and ended up erasing completely…..

Any thoughts on what I could have done wrong?

It is so sad, I learned all of these cool things and I have forgotten them all.

[Hom74]

Hmmm....not really sure. But what you could do is to duplicate your original layer, make changes to the top layer and then erase away on that top layer. I also use masks on the top layer too just in case I change my mind later on.

[shelleyrae]

You probabaly missed setting the history point

[lindse]

Or using the history brush?
I will go try myself

[lindse]

So I have figured it out:
Change the hue etc
Go select the history brush (right underneath the brush tool).
In the history palette, check the box for the state of the image you want to show through (for example, the original).
Paint with the history brush and you should be able to see the original color through.

Or else - ask again

PS You can change the hue multiple times and then just check the box at one of the hues to see this throught. I changed my photo to purple first, then to red, then to yellow. Then I chose to check the box by the purple first and brush, then chose the red and brushed. The result: my son with purple face, yellow hair and and overall red feeling of the page LOL!

[desi]

Thanks for the tips ladies... I am off to try again.

[JennPatrick]

Make sure to take a "snapshot" in your history palette before you desaturate or you won't have anything to go back to when you erase