Converting photos to Black and White

Damian · 12/04/2006, 03:30 PM

You could just use the old 'desaturate' option, or 'convert to grayscale', but you're missing out on one of the coolest features of black and white photography. It used to be something you had to think about when shooting monochrome film when you were actually shooting. FILTERS! You could shoot with different colored filters to enhance contrast or reduce it; punch certain colors, or effectively delete them. You could also do this in the darkroom when printing, by exposing the paper through a filter. You can (and should) do all this still in Photoshop. There are several ways to do it, but I like my method because it is infinitely adjustable. Enjoy.

Open an image in Photoshop and make two separate "Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layers" by following going to: Layers - New Adjustment Layer - Hue/Saturation.

The top adjustment layer, which will be used for Saturation, set the blending mode to "Color" and set the saturation to its minimum. This will change the photo to black and white, but the layer underneath will affect its tones.

The fun begins in the second layer, which we'll use for hue. Double-click on the layer to bring up the hue/saturation sliders, and slide the hue back and forth to apply different colored 'filters' to the black and white image. You can then adjust the saturation to enhance the strength of that filter.

Here's a shot of an apple that I took. The apple is red, but using filters, I can change perception so it can look like a yellow or green apple (to my eyes anyway).

The original (duh.)

Green/Yellow filter.

Notice how the apple gets very dark, while contrast in the grass is actually decreased. You will increase the contrast of a particular color with a filter of its compliment. Opposite applies with a filter of the same color. Red filter is below.

Huge difference. You can also use adjust the hue and saturation on a finer scale by adjusting each individual color band rather than master. Have fun messing with it.

Jar · 12/04/2006, 03:34 PM

Jason · 12/04/2006, 03:34 PM

Good post! Converting with channel mixer is fun as well

Anus! · 12/04/2006, 03:38 PM

you can also just use the channel mixer adjustment layer and then click the "monochrome" box at the bottom. that will make it B&W and then use the sliders to adjust the filter effect.

Damian · 12/04/2006, 04:15 PM

I find the channel mixer to be clunky. You have to preview the filter effect in color, and then click monochrome. I think its easier and more slick to do it using hue/sat

Anus! · 12/04/2006, 05:18 PM

I just click the mono chrome and then play with the sliders. you just have to try to keep it so that all three add up to ABOUT 100.

Anus! · 11/12/2007, 12:53 PM

Just an FYI for those with photoshop CS3. there is a new B&W conversion tool in there and when you choose it there are MANY ways to use it. there's even a blending function that will convert part to B&W and leave some as color...

12/04/2006, 03:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
Damian hookers and blow Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: New York-ish. Vehicle: 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 Posts: 7,230	Converting photos to Black and White You could just use the old 'desaturate' option, or 'convert to grayscale', but you're missing out on one of the coolest features of black and white photography. It used to be something you had to think about when shooting monochrome film when you were actually shooting. FILTERS! You could shoot with different colored filters to enhance contrast or reduce it; punch certain colors, or effectively delete them. You could also do this in the darkroom when printing, by exposing the paper through a filter. You can (and should) do all this still in Photoshop. There are several ways to do it, but I like my method because it is infinitely adjustable. Enjoy. Open an image in Photoshop and make two separate "Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layers" by following going to: Layers - New Adjustment Layer - Hue/Saturation. The top adjustment layer, which will be used for Saturation, set the blending mode to "Color" and set the saturation to its minimum. This will change the photo to black and white, but the layer underneath will affect its tones. The fun begins in the second layer, which we'll use for hue. Double-click on the layer to bring up the hue/saturation sliders, and slide the hue back and forth to apply different colored 'filters' to the black and white image. You can then adjust the saturation to enhance the strength of that filter. Here's a shot of an apple that I took. The apple is red, but using filters, I can change perception so it can look like a yellow or green apple (to my eyes anyway). The original (duh.) Green/Yellow filter. Notice how the apple gets very dark, while contrast in the grass is actually decreased. You will increase the contrast of a particular color with a filter of its compliment. Opposite applies with a filter of the same color. Red filter is below. Huge difference. You can also use adjust the hue and saturation on a finer scale by adjusting each individual color band rather than master. Have fun messing with it.

12/04/2006, 03:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jar Excellent mediocrity Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: WACO, TEXAS foo! Posts: 8,494

12/04/2006, 03:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jason Bicoastal Traveler Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dale City, VA Vehicle: '04 4Runner SR5 4WD Posts: 8,097	Good post! Converting with channel mixer is fun as well

12/04/2006, 03:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Anus! I Wangs Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 1-888-9-ASSHOLE Vehicle: duh Posts: 33,197	you can also just use the channel mixer adjustment layer and then click the "monochrome" box at the bottom. that will make it B&W and then use the sliders to adjust the filter effect.

12/04/2006, 04:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Damian hookers and blow Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: New York-ish. Vehicle: 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 Posts: 7,230	I find the channel mixer to be clunky. You have to preview the filter effect in color, and then click monochrome. I think its easier and more slick to do it using hue/sat

12/04/2006, 05:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Anus! I Wangs Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 1-888-9-ASSHOLE Vehicle: duh Posts: 33,197	I just click the mono chrome and then play with the sliders. you just have to try to keep it so that all three add up to ABOUT 100.

11/12/2007, 12:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
Anus! I Wangs Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 1-888-9-ASSHOLE Vehicle: duh Posts: 33,197	Just an FYI for those with photoshop CS3. there is a new B&W conversion tool in there and when you choose it there are MANY ways to use it. there's even a blending function that will convert part to B&W and leave some as color...