Converting color to BW Black and White tutorials (link)

[DannyRaphael]

Converting color images to BW is the subject of frequent "how to" threads here at RetouchPRO

The BW tutorials at the following site are among the BEST I've ever seen -AND- they are accompanied with Photoshop actions.

Content-wise IMO the site is a small gold mine.

Site:
http://www.dynamicartwork.com/

BW conversion methods and actions:
http://www.dynamicartwork.com/articles/digital_bw

MAC users: If you have problems downloading the actions, click my name above this post and send me an e-mail. I'll reply with the actions attached.

Calculations:
If you get a headache trying to figure it out the Calculations dialog, the "BW using Calculations" tutorial will be very enlightening.

Happy reading and learning.

~Danny~

[Flora]

Thanks for a great link, Danny!

[kiska]

BOO! HISS! Not for mac!

[Stroker]

Dual Hue/Sat Ad-Layers

- H/S* using Sat=0% (-100) to get greyscale
- H/S* set to Colour and uses H/S sliders to tweak
- Orignal photo

*Commonly called HSB. This is a misnomer and I am extremely guilty of it.

In the top H/S, Sat=0% (-100) to get grey. Photoshop uses Lightness, and Lightness = (MaxRGB - MinRGB) / 2.
R=127
G=190
G=255
Will give Lightness=75%.

In the bottom H/S, Photoshop will use 30%/59%/11% to get Luminosity.
You are using something like this:
hue2grey.jpg

Luminosity first, then H/S. Same for Lightness and Brightness. In Colour mode, it's 30/59/11. This is why I always put Lum on top in the Layers palette.

When you manipulate the H/S in the bottom H/S Ad-Layer, you are manipulating MinRGB and MaxRGB. This will then be 'pumped through' (MaxRGB-MinRGB)/2 for a final greyscale value.

I say leave the bottom H/S Ad-Layer in Normal mode.
Use the drop-down to select a Hue range.
Then use the Lightness slider to tweak to final greyscale value.

Want reds to be darker?
Then make reds darker with Lightness as oppossed to using H/S.
Simple and direct.

Also, never forget that Adjustment Layers can be masked.

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by kiska

BOO! HISS! Not for mac!

FYI: Kiska and I got around the problem.

See 1st post for Mac user workaround.

[kiska]

Hi, danny. I get a page full of wierd jibberish.

[JGeddes]

I have followed the links Danny, which took me to additional explanations which were also very helpful. I want to understand Stroker's Double adjustment layer post but I am so darn visual at learning its hard for me to read and see what Stroker is talking about. Is there a page link that has this visually explained?

I sounds like a great way of fine tuning B&W adjustments.

[Stroker]

JGeddes, I did this up real quick-n-sleazy like. Not the greatest example, but should show what I'm suggesting.
flowersdesat.jpg

I'm currently working on a wiki that will go into much greater detail about all of this. I'll be getting into Lum weighted Sat and how to blast it or enhance it. How to tweak the Lum only. Other masking tricks. Why Colour mode works and why I think it's bad.

[JGeddes]

Yes, the way I was taught was to change the HS top layer to color mode and then adjust the bottom HS layer.. this developed some issues with blotchy prints if you didn't subdue the tweaking. I look forward to hearing more and trying the prints afterward.

JGeddes