Black and white; what is a good method?

I have tried to desaturate but i don't feel it is good enough.
Is there a good method for creating great b and w photos?

thanks

Stephan

Channel mixer to look at each channel, then make a channel mixer adjustment layer, merge layers, maybe tweak the contrast.

On top of the channel mixer, try contrast color masks. to alter target area's.

Would you mind expanding on this a little?

Correct me if I'm wrong Tim but don't you have to click the "monochrome" tab at the bottom of the channels mixer box?? Or, am I thinking of something else? see pic here...

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yes you do have to click that, then you can adjust each channel independently

That's what I thought.... just checking. Not trying to to contrdict what the others were saying though. I usually run this mode and then adjust contrast and then I usually go into levels and slide my right input level to get it around a 242. That's my magic number....not really but you get my point. Thanks again corey for clarifying

Heres a trick you may not know.

When you first open an image in PS for B|W conversion, try holding down the Apple/Command key and hitting 1,2,3 on the keyboard. This will automatically scroll you through the red/Green/Blue channel...you can see which channel bias will work best for the image before going into channel mixer.

Cool tip arnie, and yep I check that box.

I built an action to make 3 separate layers one for red, one for blue and one for green and to monochrome each one. That way I can change the opacity of the layers and adjust the contrast or levels. You can also look at Alien Skin plugins. There new exposure plugin is so wicked awesome. you can download a 30 day demo from their website and it will let you use the entire program for 30 days. No watermarks or preset picture or anything. I like it because it lets you "print" the picture on types of film such as provia or velvia (in color) or old 70s or 50s types of film. My last bride went nuts over the old old selenium prints and 1950s black and whites. But you can turn your color prints into black and white prints with like 50 different types of BW film. It also allows you to do duotones, diffuse lighting, just a ton of stuff.

spelling! ("Their" new exposure plug-in)...

Wow, just had a look. With this and Kubotas actions what else do you need!!

Auto fx is cool. But I think they watermark your pictures unless you buy

Thanks all for the help.
I am not too sure what you mean by building an action to make 3 layers...
Can you explain a bit more?

thanks again

Stephan

you can record an action, so that all you need to do it press play and the computer will repeat the action. Its for things that take time and you do it alot. It is behind the history section in photoshop. There are premade actions like sepia toning and framing and then at the bottom next to the trash can is a button for making new ones. I think you can follow in help. Just remember to stop recording when you are finished!