Gray B/W Conversions

I know my way around photoshop pretty well and am far above your average user when it comes to processing techniques but for the life of me I cannot figure out how to get this look with black and white conversions... http://seanflanigan.ne​t/blog/ .. his b/w conversions boggle me as to how he's accomplishing this look, I know it's probably something simple and I'm overlooking something so does anyone have any idea>

I see nothing at all unique about his B&W. A lot of it has to do with the color version that you started with. Experience will give you a sense of how to PP your color photos to attain a certain look when you do a B&W conversion.

What method are you using for your B&W conversions? And you may want to download and try the demo of NIK software's Silver Efex Pro. I use it and it's incredible.

+1 for Silver Fx Pro, it will give you everything you want plus more. (not cheap though)