Step 1
Open a photo that you want to apply this color bleach effect to in Photoshop. Because this effect will increase the brightness of the image, make sure that you pick an image that isn't overexposed.
Step 2
The key to this effect is a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer. You can use a Photo Filter adjustment layer instead, but it will be easier and faster to use a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer. In the Layers palette, click on the new adjustment layer button and a menu will appear. In the menu, choose Hue/Saturation.
Step 3
In the Hue/Saturation tool, first checkmark the Colorize option near the bottom right. Now edit the hue to get the color that you want to tint. For a warm sepia tint, use the settings from the image below. For a cool semi-cyanotype look, use the same settings as below but set the hue to 215. If you can't decide, just use any setting and click OK. Because we used an adjustment layer, you can always choose another color later.
Step 4
In the Layers palette and with the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer selected, click on the top left drop down menu and select Screen. This will change the layer blending mode to screen which will imitate the color bleach effect that is commonly done in the traditional dark room.
Here's what the image looks like with a warm tint.
Remember, if you want to adjust the color, just double click on the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and edit the settings. Experiment with different colors to see the different effects you can get. For example, once I change the Hue to 215, I got a cool color bleach effect. There is a Photoshop plug-in in the market called Color Bleach by AutoFX. You can simulate one of it's setting by setting the saturation to 0. Now that you know how to apply this Color Bleach effect in Photoshop, you don't need to buy the plug-in to simulate this very simple and easy-to-do photo effect.
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