To convert image to black & white in Photoshop

07/07/06

There are a number of ways to do this in photoshop. NB it is better to shoot in colour and convert to b/w in photshop than to shoot in digital b/w mode. The following approach preserves the tomes in the image and allows you to change the emphasis from different colours in the original. It can be used in all versions of photoshop including elements.
1. open the image
2. create a hue and saturation layer
3. create a second hue and saturation layer
4. create a brightness and contrast layer
click once on the first hue and saturation layer and change this layer type from NORMAL to HUE - in the dropdown shown above
5. double click on the second hue and saturation layer to open the hue and saturation control window and slide the saturation fully to the left so you have a mono image. click on OK
6. now double click on the first hue & saturation layer and adjust the hue slider to the left or right. You will notice the changes in your image.Try to getthe best combination of tones and contrasts. click on OK when satisfied
7. double click on the brightness and contrast layer and make (small) adjustments to contrast then brightness making sure you do not loose tone and detail with too much contrast etc. Click on OK
8. Go to LAYER on the top menu and select FLATTER IMAGE. That's it - dont forget to save the image !
Enjoy - Doug