A new way make a photo black & white

[Bobbie Bluegill]

This is really fun. Thank you.

[Wendy]

Hi Bobbie ...

Glad that you like it

Wendy

[ScrappyBarb]

My favorite way of creating a sharp, clear black and white photo from a color one, is to set the Default Colors then add a adjustment layer and choose gradient map.

There are so many ways to covert to a b/w but this one seems to give me the sharpest contrast, etc. Of course, you can add a Levels adjustment layer above the Gradient Map to give a stronger contrast.

Try it!

[Barb]

I'm going to have to try that ScrappyBarb! OK, I just tried it - it's fabulous!

[SusannB]

Can you please explain how to do: to set the Default Colors then add a adjustment layer and choose gradient map?
Thanks,
Sue

[Jan]

Hi Sue,
Down at the bottom of your toolbar, set your color chips to their default position of black over white.

Then, in the Layer Panel, click on the Adjustment Layer icon (the black and white circle) and then click on Gradient Map. That will give you a fairly decent black and white version of your image. If you like what you see, you can save the image as a JPG with a new name. Or if you want more contrast, you can go back and add another Adjustment Layer and choose Levels. Work with the sliders until you get the contrast and brightness you want. Then save your image with a new name.

If you don't like it, just delete the adjustment layer(s) and your original image is still intact.

There are MANY ways to convert an image to black and white. This is just one of them.

[SusannB]

Thanks, Jan. Great explanation. Helped me find where I needed to go.

So what's your favorite way?

[Jan]

Hi Sue,
I use CS5 and my favorite way is the adjustment layer, Black & White, and then adjusting the various color influences until I like what I see.

In PSE9, my favorite way is to use Enhance > Convert to Black and White, then run through the styles to see which one I want to start with, and then adjust the color influences on the sliders. It's somewhat similar to the CS5 method.

And it will give you much more creative control over your images than just using the adjustment layer, gradient map and then having to do a separate layers adjustment.

Check it out and see which way you prefer...

[bthiels]

This is about the neatest little trick I've learned lately. Thanks!