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Please help !!! Need advice on converting images to b&w
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Hi guys –
I’m looking for some advice on converting colour images to black and white. I’m trying too avoid using the grayscale option or just de-saturating my images. I have tried two other methods photoshop with disapointing results:
1. From Image, select mode then lab colour.
Next go into the channels pallet and delete either the a or b chanel
Afterwards adjusting the image using levels to achieve the desired effect.My problem when saving the image using this method is that I can only save the image in PSD format. It will not allow me to save the image as Jpeg or preferably Tiff and I don’t know why ?
2. The other method that I tried is opening the image in Photoshop
Next go and open an adjustment layer – select the channels option
Once opened, put a check in the monochrome box at the bottom of the dialog box.
Adjust sliders to achieve desired effect.I have used this method as listed above aswell as experimenting beforehand by increasing the saturation of the colour image before going to the channels stage to give a more dramatic effect. These methods give me extreme noise in images once I have converted them. The images that are completely noise free before hand?? I can’t figure out where I am going wrong. I learned of this method in a tutorial but there was no mention of getting noisy results. I’m just hoping that some of the more experienced photoshop users among you can help me out here to get rid or the noise.
Alternative methods to achieve great results when converting images from colour to black and white are also very welcome.
Thanks in advance,
daithi.Maybe im wrong but turning it to greyscale and all these other methods you have mentioned apart from that second one would all have the same effect in Photoshop?
If you are see the same result, the photograph just seems grey and flat with no real depth in it you have to consider altering the contrast in the now black and white image.
After you have converted the black and white image, dont stop there..
Adjust the Contrast
Use the levels to bring out or in all the highlights midtones and shadows.
Use the burning and dodging tools to you’re advantage to improve image.
Its really up to you and not the programme, to what you want to get out of it.
Be handy if you gave an example of a colour image that you have converted black and white. And what you really want out of it.Nik software has Silver Efex which works well, though not cheap. They have a 15 day trial.
http://www.niksoftware.com/silverefexpro/usa/entry.php
I second the Silverfoxpro suggestion. I use it all the time. It is definitely worth the money.
Cheers, John
What version of PS do you have? There’s the option of using a B&W adjustment layer if using CS3.
After that…how long have you got? There’s the calculations method that some favour. There’s a plain desaturation and burn/dodge, there’s a method I use frequently to darken a B&W image (see below)…but effectively they all do the same thing, they desaturate but give the tones a distinct different finish. You can boost contrast or bring contrast down to zero for a nice smooth finish, you can use the black and white dropper tool on Curves to find the darkest black and brightest white to give you a full range of tones…I could go on.
Try this next time:
Desaturate your image
Convert to Lab (Image/Mode/Lab colour)
Click on the Lightness channel. Bring your curser up to the channel and keep your finger on Ctrl. You’ll see a little box appearing. Clock in the channel while pressing Ctrl. You’ll see the marching ants all over the image.
Come back to the layers palette and create a new fill layer and fill it with black.
Add a layer mask to this layer by pressing the button on the bottom of the layers window that looks like a gray box with a white circle.
As soon as you do this you’ll see the marching ants appear in your layer mask.
Ctrl-D to deselect.
You may want to invert this mask (Ctrl-i) to give you a better result.
I’d sometimes use this to boost another conversion method as defined above.By the way – the reason you can’t select the image save as a jpeg is probably because it’s in 16bit mode. To change this go to Image> Mode> 8 bit. This will get you running in jpeg.
Alan
Thanks for the feedback and help guys – it’s much appreciated. This is a sample picture of what I was talking about. It’s only 20% version of the full size image but even at this resolution – you can notice the high levels of noise around the middle area of the image.
grif4 I found that using greyscale or desaturating the image then experimenting with levels, curves etc didn’t give me same level of detail in the blacks and mid tones as the other methods mentioned (ie) Lab Color and Channel Mixer. Having said that I didn’t try dodging or burning the image – I need to practice using these tools. As requested I have posted a colour version below if you would like to have a go. I’m trying to get great results without any noise. Noise is my main issue.
Alan, my version of PS is CS2. I’m going to try your the step by step method that you listed above on my next conversion. It looks like you have alot more experience that me in this field so hopefully the outcome will be better.
Thanks for going to the trouble. Also switching from 16 bit to 8 bit sorted my problem with saving to other file extensions.
guthrij and rc53 I had a look at this software. It sounds great on the reviews. I see they have a colour version too. I’m going to give the 15 day trial a go to see what it’s like. Have you any samples that you could post up for a look?
Grif 4 – here’s a colour image for you. Actually would be interesting to see this converted with Silver Fox too.
Thanks again guys !
daithidaithi33 wrote:
guthrij and rc53 I had a look at this software. It sounds great on the reviews. I see they have a colour version too. I’m going to give the 15 day trial a go to see what it’s like. Have you any samples that you could post up for a look?
There’s one of mine done with Silver Efex here:
https://www.photographyireland.net//viewtopic.php?t=27919&start=0
BTW, your pix are ‘unavailable’ at present.
I use Apple Aperture, which has a good monochrome mixer built in-
the closest equivalent in ps would be the channel mixer-It doesn’t render as well as the Aperture version, in my opinion,
and in the Aperture version, changes to other parameters can be applied to the image simultaneously,
but it can approximate the tonality you can achieve by using a colour filter with b/w film, to some extent-It’s in image- adjustments- channel mixer- check the monochrome box.
joseph
Daithi
If you have photoshop you can download a plugin for converting to B+W.
Go to:
http://www.photo-plugins.com/Plugins/Plugins/B-W-Conversion.htmlFind the link to their downloads page and download the B/W conversion plugin.
When you get the file you copy it to the PLUGINS folder which will probably
be under c:program filesadobephotoshop
Then the utility will appear under the Filters menu in photoshop.
When it comes to using the utility it gives you sliders etc to tweak the tones etc
of your image.Oh yes, did I tell you its FREE…
Hope you find it useful – I use it quite a bit for conversion.
MartinGuys these conversions that you have done with Silverfoxpro look the business – that’s really the look I’m after. I will definitely experiment with the free trial. Thanks again for the advice..
Are my images available to you know? I think I should have fixed that problem.
Thanks for the info and advice Joseph.
Apple Aperture is another new name for me. I will be checking this one out tonight.daithi
I’ve tried Silver Efex Pro too but found it expensive to produce something that could be done within Photoshop with a little enthusiasm and knowledge. Here’s a sample of what can be done.
Before
After
Alan
Alan – that’s a great conversion. I need to put in some extra PS time practicing I think. It’s great to learn some new techniques from more experienced people here. Martin – free stuff is always great. I will be downloading that plug in tonight.
Thanks for the tip. Every thing’s a help at this stage.
daithi
Daithi,
This was done using Silver Efex Pro…but what I’m saying is that with the trial you’ll find things to do that you’ll realise can be done in PS. The spot adjustments in Silver Efex can be done by selecting areas to adjust…it’s just the Efex will give you ideas…you’ll see! And after doing this I also applied what I described on my first reply…just to help the blacks.
Alan
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