Black and White Images

[Kenmc]

I have read some in the past about different ways to convert an image from color to black and white, but of course now I cannot find them.
It would be great if you could post your process for making the change or if you can post a link to some good tips about this subject.
Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro techniques welcome.

[nitwit3]

I use the Fred Miranda B&W Action...it has several filters. Here's an example of a portrait changed to B&W.
Yes, you can automate them in batch using any action.

http://www3.pbase.com/image/650360

Nitwit

[Roger_Cavanagh]

http://www.digidaan.nl/index2.html

This site has free channel mixers for B&W conversion.

Regards,

Roger

[mrbobco]

hi...

although it isn't free...

check out the photoshop plug ins at:

http://www.silveroxide.com/

there's a free demo (doesn't allow you to apply the settings but you can see just how delicious it looks)

absolutely stunning...looks very much like b&w film...

(and they work in 16 bit mode too!)

about $65 for the 16 bit version (works as 8 and 16 bit) the 8 bit only version is a little cheaper...

bob

[sasc]

There also is a free program at mediachance.com

Try looking at the channels and often one will be just what you want. Split channels and use that one.

[SL Cheah]

You may be interested in this tutorial

http://www.btinternet.com/~ian.lyons/tutorials/tutorial_2_1.htm

Good Luck!

SL

[Jade14]

This is what I do to convert to BW in Photoshop 5.5:
Crop, spot and roughly correct image contrast and color with levels or curves, save as the original file.

Convert to 8 bit and using Selective Color make sure shadows have the same color cast as nearby dark grays and highlights have the same color cast nearby light greys. This is important because if color differences are present between them, using Channel Mixer next may produce a solarization effect.

Go to Channel Mixer and turn the monochrome option ON. Decide which colors you need to separate. Choose a combination of red, green and blue that adds close to 100%.

Normal Photoshop Grayscale conversion is the equivalent of R+30, G+60, B+10. A safe and boring conversion that takes saturated blues and yellows too close to one another and to middle gray.

If delicate skintones a la Tri-x are your thing try R+45, G+65, B-20.

If you must darken the sky try R+60, G+60, B-25, just keep in mind it will also lighten yellows and reds.

For a tanned look and darker yellows/reds try R+20, G+50, B+30.

For the drama of orange filtered landscapes use R+80, G+20, B 0 (too harsh on skintones thought).

For fake Infrared pump it up to R+200, G 0, B-100.

Then get it printed using black ink only the highest printer dpi available (I use 2880 on my Epson 1280).

Have Fun.
jade14

[Kenmc]

Thank you. Your details with the RBG amounts helps a bunch.

[jonsimpson]

Has anyone tried setting the contrast a wee bit higher in the camera for black and white?