Quick HowTo on B&W and Monochrome

[Lan-Lord]

One has alot of control when converting a color photo to B&W or to a monochrome photo (eg sepia). Here is a quick guide to using Photoshop or Photoshop elements (and other photo processing tools will be similiar)

B&W:
1.) Open the photo in Photoshop
2.) Select Image -> Adjust -> Channel Mixer
3.) Check the "Monochrome" checkbox at the bottom
4.) Adjust the R, G, B Channels to the desired amount. Typically the totals for the R,G,B values should be around 100.

Monochrome:
1.) Perform the same steps for b&w above.
2.) Select Image -> Adjust -> Hue/Saturation
3.) Click the "colorize" checkbox on the lower right
4.) Drag the Hue slider to the desired Hue that you want.
5.) Adjust the Saturation and Lightness to your likeness.

 

[g-hog]

Nice tip Lan-lord Thanks

I would also reccommend to all photoshop users a book I purchased that makes using photoshop with digital photography a snap. It is very easy to read and has step by step instructions that are easy to follow. It is written by Scott Kelby (editor of Photoshop Magazine) and called The Photoshop CSBook for Digital Photographers. It also give several variations to get different looks with B/W or Monochrone using the channel mixer and calculations method also with many other great touchup tricks the pros use...Anyway just thought I would throw this in.

GHog

 

[Lan-Lord]

Good recommendation Greg. That sounds like a good resource. Photoshop is difficult to learn when you first get started. Simple examples in my opinion are the best way to get familiar with how to use it. Sounds like this book is on target.