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DPChallenge Forums >> Current Challenge >> Black & white - basic editting
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 11/10/2004 07:51:20 AM · #1
What is the best way to convert to black & white using basic editting? Photoshop elements doesn't seem to have a channel mixer, and my usual conversion method involves adjustment layers that are applied in modes other than normal.
 11/10/2004 07:55:32 AM · #2
One way is to convert to grayscale... another would be to use hue/saturation (I assume elements has that...?) and just desaturate it.
 11/10/2004 08:15:17 AM · #3
Another option is to take the photo with the camera set on black and white. (I presume that's possible with all digital cameras, but correct me if I'm wrong.)
 11/10/2004 08:22:51 AM · #4
Add a Levels layer, then add a Hue/Saturation layer and completely desat. Go back to Levels and adjust each channel to your taste (From "The Photoshop Elements Book for Digital Photographers" by Scott Kelby)
 11/10/2004 08:23:35 AM · #5
Originally posted by Pug-H:
(I presume that's possible with all digital cameras, but correct me if I'm wrong.)
not on my rebel ^_^
 11/10/2004 08:25:46 AM · #6
Originally posted by Pug-H:
Another option is to take the photo with the camera set on black and white. (I presume that's possible with all digital cameras, but correct me if I'm wrong.)


You are wrong. Besides in most cases in-computer algorithms are much better for photoediting than in-camera.
 11/10/2004 09:11:10 AM · #7
If you have a 20D, you can use the Black and White mode, with built in filters.
11/10/2004 09:14:10 AM · #8
Is it ok to use the virtual photographer plug-in? It is bacically doing it's conversions thru the channel mixer but is easier to use.
 11/10/2004 09:21:01 AM · #9
Here is an easy B/W conversion with 2 Hue/'Sat adjustment layers.

First add 2 Hue/Sat adjustments layers.
On the top adjustment layer, turn down saturation to -100
Then on bottom Hue/Sat adjustment layer change blending mode to Color
and then adjust the Hue slider to your preference.

Simple and easy!
 11/10/2004 09:23:33 AM · #10
One can convert to B&W using a dozen ways, my favorite is the Channel Mixer, just click grayscale, then adjust the RGB channels to perfect what you're after. It's all trail and error
 11/10/2004 09:24:17 AM · #11
Originally posted by smokeditor:
Then on bottom Hue/Sat adjustment layer change blending mode to Color
and then adjust the Hue slider to your preference.

Simple and easy!


Don't layers have to be in normal mode per the rules? Using color mode would cause a DQ.
 11/10/2004 09:28:27 AM · #12
Originally posted by Lafaminit:
Originally posted by smokeditor:
Then on bottom Hue/Sat adjustment layer change blending mode to Color
and then adjust the Hue slider to your preference.

Simple and easy!


Don't layers have to be in normal mode per the rules? Using color mode would cause a DQ.


Yeah, i forgot that this was an Open Challenge, silly Basic editing rules!
 11/10/2004 09:50:39 AM · #13
Originally posted by Lafaminit:
Originally posted by smokeditor:
Then on bottom Hue/Sat adjustment layer change blending mode to Color
and then adjust the Hue slider to your preference.

Simple and easy!


Don't layers have to be in normal mode per the rules? Using color mode would cause a DQ.

This is a very common and affective method for doing the black and white conversion. I would think that we could make it ok for basic rules since the Color blending mode doesn't actually affect the final image color? Is this worth running by the site admins?

Message edited by author 2004-11-10 16:20:01.
 11/10/2004 10:04:21 AM · #14
Originally posted by Nusbaum:
Originally posted by Lafaminit:
Originally posted by smokeditor:
Then on bottom Hue/Sat adjustment layer change blending mode to Color
and then adjust the Hue slider to your preference.

Simple and easy!


Don't layers have to be in normal mode per the rules? Using color mode would cause a DQ.

This is a very command and affective method for doing the black and white conversion. I would think that we could make it ok for basic rules since the Color blending mode doesn't actually affect the final image color? Is this worth running by the site admins?


Or, we could just use the advanced rules for all challenges...
 11/10/2004 10:04:36 AM · #15
Is sepia considered black and white?
11/10/2004 10:07:08 AM · #16
Originally posted by smoon273:
Is sepia considered black and white?


I think B&W here means Monochrome. I say Sepia and any other tone would be accepted.
 11/10/2004 10:26:06 AM · #17
Originally posted by xion:
Originally posted by smoon273:
Is sepia considered black and white?


I think B&W here means Monochrome. I say Sepia and any other tone would be accepted.


I would agree, but I would not risk it :)
 11/10/2004 03:23:36 PM · #18
I think B&W means B&W.
Where did you get Monochrome from ?
 11/10/2004 03:26:41 PM · #19
Doesn't meet the challenge. There's some gray/grey in it :P
 11/10/2004 03:48:23 PM · #20
Originally posted by guy17il:
I think B&W means B&W.
Where did you get Monochrome from ?


B&W images which are toned are still called B&W images. There are not colour images or referred to by some colour number or name. Also, depending on the paper you are printing on, or your computer display, they could appear to be tinted too.
I just think that Monochrome is a more accuarate term, that's all I was saying.
 11/10/2004 04:16:17 PM · #21
I think grayscale, monotone, or duotone images (where one color is black) are all fine for this challenge. I think tritones and quadtones would probably violate the "spirit" if not the letter of the rules for this challenge.

However, remember that "failure to meet the challenge" is not a "DQ-able" offense. If I chose to submit something like this

it might rack up the ones but would never be DQd.
 11/10/2004 04:20:34 PM · #22
Cautionary tale


11/10/2004 05:02:34 PM · #23
Originally posted by Gordon:
Cautionary tale



I am not one to disparage that average dpc voter, but if you are going to play in photography you should develop a basic understanding of the subject. I cannot remember any book or paper on Black and White that did not touch on the subject of toning you images. The digital equivalent is dutones and quadtones, but in both the film and digital versions of this the initial image is grayscale. I would love to show my version of selenium toning in digital, but I think I will stick with straight black and white just to be safe.... then again, my scores suck so it probably wouldn't hurt me to get a few more ones.

Message edited by author 2004-11-10 18:07:55.
 11/10/2004 05:05:18 PM · #24
It is almost impossible to find a 'pure' black and white photo in any gallery.

In most cases the highlights or midtones are slightly warmer or cooler,
depending on paper, chemicals. Toning takes this further, but even the
basic prints have a cast to the whites - that make the image come alive.
 11/10/2004 05:13:22 PM · #25
Some of the stronger 'black and white' images on this site are actually something like 80% desaturated colour shots. A purely monochrome image has only 256 shades available - whereas , for example, uses 10,003 colours.

E
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