Black & White Conversion

[TheAllSeeingEye]

Does anyone have any tried and tested tecniques for converting coloured files to mono? I mainly shoot portraiture and find that the standard conversion in CS3 leaves the image looking flat and devoid of its full tonal range. I have tried the action downloads from the thread in these forums and am getting very similar results. Does anyone have any tips on conversion or giving the image a boost post conversion?

[gsix14]

I use Lightroom and convert my images to B&W as raw files. I stay in RGB mode and desaturate all the colours in the channel mixer to get a greyscale image. I then use the contrast, exposure and white balance controls (sounds odd, but works well and is a reason to stay in RGB) to tweak the image and give it a boost.

It's a while since I used the CS3 for raw conversion, but you might be able to do similar in camera raw?

[Fen]

There's a page on my website for B&W conversion in Photoshop.

Three Different Ways

[TheAllSeeingEye]

Thanks Tim & Fen, I have tried all 3 methods now and am pleased with the results! I now have some adjustment and tonal range to my shots. I just have the dilemma of deciding which method to stick with now!

I'm impressed with your website Fen, its very easy to navigate and you have some cracking shots on their

[Fen]

Glad to help. Thanks for the comments

[andy_m]

I do all my conversions using the channel mixer method which fen describes. I then make further adjustments (contrast, etc) on a curves adjustment layer.

[parkeremily10]

It is very much possible in photoshop. One method is go to image then click on adjustments and then desaturate. But it is not a better way to do conversion because in this method you have less control.

Second method is to use channel mixer to do this you have to go to the "channels" palette, located within the "layers". For this you have to go image and then adjustments then Channel Mixer. In the channel mixer click on monochrome and start moving the channels. here you have to select appropriate RGB

[ermintrude]

Phiggy? Is that you?

[baldyd]

I used to use the Channel Mixer, the Curves Method. Local Dodge/Burn an be done quite well with nice feathered adjustment layers and additional local curves adjustments.

I have recently purchased Silver Efex Pro, and thr "Upoint" adjustments is very good. If you do a lot of B&S Conversion it is definately wrth a look.

THere is also great control over grain, split toning,and vigette (I like the burnt edges look).

The "Structure" slider does something clever, somewhere in between sharpening and enhancing contract, but is great for bringing out detail.