How to B&W with Elements - DPChallenge Forums

02/28/2005 04:38:18 PM · #1

Please Help

What would be the best way to process a color photo into a good B/W image using the elements program.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

02/28/2005 04:43:40 PM · #2

Originally posted by PhotoRyno:

Please Help

What would be the best way to process a color photo into a good B/W image using the elements program.

There are several methods that are debated. The one that I used to use (before I found a good plug-ing) goes as follows.

Step One:
Layer>Adjustment Layer>Hue/Sat>Mode: Color
Step Two: Press OK and leave that layer for the time being.
Step Three: Layer>Adjustment Layer>Hue/Sat>Mode: Normal
Step Four: Desaturate the Step 3 Layer
Step Five: Go back to the first layer and play with the Hue/Sat until you find a fitting end result.

After this, I always use dodging and burning as well to pinpoint my exposure discrepencies.

This is also known as the Digi-Daan technique and it is only legal in Advanced Editing.

Hope this helps,
Lee

hecksheri

Canon PowerShot SD100

02/28/2005 04:46:53 PM · #3

Originally posted by PhotoRyno:

Please Help

What would be the best way to process a color photo into a good B/W image using the elements program.

Shift-Control-U is the shortcut, or you can hit Enhance, choose "Adjust Colors" from the drop down menu, then choose "Remove Color"

LesleyNelson

Canon EOS-20D

02/28/2005 04:46:57 PM · #4

I have Elements 2.0 & it took me forever to figure out how to turn color to B&W. You remove color, go to enhance then adjust color & hit remove color. Like I said I have 2.0 an older version so if you have 3 it might be different.

02/28/2005 05:13:51 PM · #5

Tranquil,

The info you have given is great. I will attempt on photo tonight, thanks, thanks, thanks.

Lesley,
I also have E 2.0 and am spending a lot of time learning.
This is a great site. One day I hope to contribute some instead of always asking.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/28/2005 05:23:17 PM · #6

Originally posted by PhotoRyno:

Tranquil,

The info you have given is great. I will attempt on photo tonight, thanks, thanks, thanks.

No problem :) ... if you have any questions you can give me a holler around here or PM me, I'd be glad to help!

Lee

Plexxoid

Canon EOS-30D

02/28/2005 05:40:12 PM · #7

Originally posted by hecksheri:

Originally posted by PhotoRyno:
Please Help

What would be the best way to process a color photo into a good B/W image using the elements program.

Shift-Control-U is the shortcut, or you can hit Enhance, choose "Adjust Colors" from the drop down menu, then choose "Remove Color"

This method does not give very good results, it's better to do it Tranquil's way, as you can really adjust the luminances seperatly.

ScottK

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

02/28/2005 05:47:45 PM · #8

Originally posted by Tranquil:

This is also known as the Digi-Daan technique and it is only legal in Advanced Editing.

Hope this helps,
Lee

Aside from the dodging and burning, what would make this illegal under the basic editing rules? It just uses adjustment layers, which are allowed. Did I miss something?

hecksheri

Canon PowerShot SD100

02/28/2005 05:54:27 PM · #9

Originally posted by Plexxoid:

Originally posted by hecksheri:

Originally posted by PhotoRyno:
Please Help

What would be the best way to process a color photo into a good B/W image using the elements program.

Shift-Control-U is the shortcut, or you can hit Enhance, choose "Adjust Colors" from the drop down menu, then choose "Remove Color"

This method does not give very good results, it's better to do it Tranquil's way, as you can really adjust the luminances seperatly.

excellent info, I will try it that way myself next time :)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

02/28/2005 06:01:20 PM · #10

Originally posted by ScottK:

Originally posted by Tranquil:

This is also known as the Digi-Daan technique and it is only legal in Advanced Editing.

Hope this helps,
Lee

Aside from the dodging and burning, what would make this illegal under the basic editing rules? It just uses adjustment layers, which are allowed. Did I miss something?

Scott,

He superimposes 2 layers, one in normal mode and the other in color mode. Only normal mode is allowed in basic editing.

Robt.

03/01/2005 06:43:43 PM · #11

Here is a sample using the method Tranquil suggested.

I am not sure I have utilized the method correctly, so any comments are very much welcomed

03/01/2005 06:56:23 PM · #12

Could you post the original as well?

03/01/2005 06:58:51 PM · #13

sure give me a moment

03/01/2005 07:01:37 PM · #14

Here you go

03/01/2005 07:10:29 PM · #15

I've edited it the way I do it using Hue/Sat for comparison.

Alternatively, I've also included the way that I usually convert to Black and White now, which is by using a cutomised version of a foreign plug-in.

Lee

03/01/2005 07:10:56 PM · #16

Btw... no dodging and burning was applied to the ones above.

03/01/2005 07:19:25 PM · #17

Well, I think I am on the right track. I just need practice with the D&B.

I really like the second one you posted, it has an effect of bring it much closer to the viewer.

03/01/2005 07:21:19 PM · #18

Originally posted by PhotoRyno:

Well, I think I am on the right track. I just need practice with the D&B.

I really like the second one you posted, it has an effect of bring it much closer to the viewer.

Thanks. Dodging and burning is key to making many B&W images tick. It was common to use these methods in the darkroom where black and white photography developed into an artform and it holds through with digital today. Especially because most digital cameras do not have the dynamic range of high quality films, dodging and burning is sometimes necessary to bring out the full tonal range of the shot.

Hope this helps!
Lee