recoloring black and white objects

[Myra]

this is probably pretty basic, but what is the easiest way to recolor a black and white object? i have been using the magic wand and the paint bucket to recolor. it works great if the object or doodle is solid with sharp edges, but if the image has a gradient effect and feathers out (like the circle in ad inspiration last week), it just blobs the color on and i lose the gradient.

here's an example of what i'd like to do:
http://www.designerdigitals.com/digi...o=4581&cat=504

this is such an amazing layout! advice anyone? i'd love to hear how the experts recolor objects!

[KellieMize]

Another method you could try is using the colorizing function in Hue/Saturation.

First, pick the color you want and make it the foreground color using the eyedropper tool. Second, make sure you have the layer of the object you want to recolor selected and hit CTRL + U to bring up the Hue/Saturation dialog box. Third, in the bottom right corner of this dialog box there is a Colorize box - check it. This should have colorized your selection preserving light and dark variations, however it will be pretty desaturated. So fourth, move the Saturation slider back up to something like 50. Finally, if you recolored something dark or black you'll probably need to adjust the Lightness slider as well.

HTH!