Proper Black and White Conversions

Converting an image to black and white may sound simple, especially when you see the myriad of ways to convert to black and white, but those quick and easy ways may not necessarily be the best way. So what is the best way to convert an image to black and white?

In this Photoshop class Viktor explains that there’s more to converting an image to black and white than just desaturating or converting it to greyscale. Working on the wedding image from the previous two classes, he explains different ways to convert to black and white before demonstrating his method of choice — using the Black and White adjustment layer.

He shows you how, by controlling individual colors, you’re able to achieve exact control over how they’re represented as tones in black and white.

In this Photoshop class we cover the following:

  • How to convert photos to black and white
  • RGB channels
  • How to use Channel Mixer adjustment layer for black and white conversion
  • How to use Black and white adjustment layer for black and white conversion
  • How to control shadows and highlights in a black and white image
  • Adjustment layers for editing black and white images

If you have any questions about this class, please post in the comment section below ?

Comments

  1. Thank you, Viktor and Karl, for this great video! The retouching process and the use of visual aid layers were particularly insightful. I work almost exclusively on my portraits in black and white (using Silver Efex), and I was wondering at what stage in the workflow the conversion should ideally take place. Should all color adjustments be done first, as in the full beauty retouching process shown in the videos, before converting to black and white? Or does the approach change for monochrome images?

    1. Hi and thank you. That’s a good question! For me I’m always going to work on the colour image first and finish it before I make the B&W conversion but my only reason for doing this is because I most likely want to use the colour version too. If I had no requirement whatsover for the colour image then I could probably save myself a lot of work by creating a B&W image that I was happy with and then continue the retouch from there, so I guess it comes down to that. The only reason I can see to work on the colour first is that often in correcting the colour (even at the small level) and smoothing and balancing this out then that might give you some advantage for a cleaner B&W conversion.

      1. Hey Karl, thanks a lot for your insights! That’s also been my approach so far—getting the most out of my color files before finalizing in black and white. That said, I’d love to hear Viktor’s opinion on this, as I believe many photographers wonder about it. Is his entire process truly essential before converting to B&W, or are there certain steps that are more crucial than others?

  3. Never really liked black and white photos (although some say “You just can’t cook em”) so I was considering skipping this video.

    But I’m glad I didn’t skip it when I was going through the course.

    Today I had to make a part of an image black and white (skirt) and lessons in this video were tremendously helpful! You never know when and how you’ll need techniques and it is good to understand the theory about it.

    Thank you!

  4. You guys are worth your weight in gold. Thank you very much Viktor and Karl.

    Thank you Karl for putting such a brilliant, comprehensive course together.

    Much respect.

  7. Wow! I wish I knew this earlier before I sent out a wedding album. I will definitely be applying these tips to my current shots. Thank you Viktor and Karl!

  9. This guy is a Photoshop legend. I have learnt so much. Hopefully I can retain it and now put it to good use in my working day. Thanks both.

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