How to Make an Image Black and White in Photoshop.
Even though it was the first kind of photography, black and white photography remains a popular aesthetic. While some platforms, such as Instagram, provide presets that help make an image black and white, others do not. This is where image editing programs such as Adobe Photoshop CC come in handy.
In this Photoshop tutorial, we’ll show you six workflows you can use to convert any color image to black and white using Photoshop on Mac or Windows.
How to Make an Image Black and White
Here are six ways to convert a color image to black and white.
Method 1: Use grayscale
Photoshop now has a feature that automatically converts your images to grayscale. The problem with this method is that it’s destructive so you can’t adjust the saturation and brightness of each color after the conversion.
To use this feature:
Open the color photo you want to convert. Press Image.
Click Mode > Grayscale.
A dialog box will open asking if you want to opt out of the color information. Select Cancel.
Note. You can also access this feature from the properties panel by clicking the drop-down menu next to mode and selecting Grayscale.
Method 2: Make the image black and white with a black and white adjustment layer
The second way to convert an image to grayscale is to use a Black and White adjustment layer. This method will allow you to save all color data, which means you can adjust the color values for the look you want. For this:
Open the image you want to convert to black and white. Press Image.
Select Settings > Black and White.
If you’re happy with the look of the image, click OK. Otherwise, you can fine-tune the photo by playing with the color sliders.
Method 3: Use Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layers
Using the Hue/Saturation Adjustment Tool is another non-destructive method to preserve color data.
Open a color image in Photoshop. Go to the “Correction” tab .
Select Hue/Saturation. This will add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer so that your original photo is not affected (i.e. the color data has been preserved).
Select Wizard from the drop-down menu.
Move the “Saturation” slider to -100.
Note. The adjustment function allows you to desaturate each color channel separately to apply a selective colorization effect to a black and white photo. To do this, simply leave a specific color channel desaturated (magenta, for example). Bonus Tip: You can use the color picker to automatically pick a color from a part of an image.
Method 4: Use a gradient map
The Gradient Map tool converts color images to grayscale based on brightness values. With this effect, darker areas will turn dark gray and lighter areas will turn light gray.
To use this tool:
Open a color image in Photoshop. Select layer.
From the drop-down menu, click New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map.
Click OK.
Method 5: Use the Channel Mixer
The channel mixer is another feature that uses color data to create a black and white image according to your preferences. This tool allows you to simulate the effect of using a color filter when taking a photo.
Open a color image in Photoshop. Select the layer > New Adjustment Layer > Channel Mixer. Alternatively, select the Adjustment tab and click the Channel Mixer adjustment layer icon .
Check the Monochrome box.
Adjust the RGB sliders until you’re happy with the effect. Method 6: Use lab color
The Lab Color method is destructive (removes all color data and is irreversible). However, the conversion to black and white is more accurate (based on brightness values).
Open a color image in Photoshop. Select an image.
Click Mode > Lab Color.
Select the Channels panel (next to the Layers panel). If it is not displayed, open Channels by clicking Windows > Channels.
Select the Lightness channel.
Click Image > Mode > Grayscale.
Vintage Photos in Three Clicks
Photo editing tools such as Photoshop, Camera Raw, and Lightroom now include many black and white conversion tools and hundreds of other simple image modifications to help you get your photos just the way you like them.
How to Make an Image Black and White in Photoshop
How to Make an Image Black and White in Photoshop