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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> How to turn color pictures in B&W using photoshop
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 09/01/2004 12:30:46 PM · #1
Hi,

I'd like to turn color pictures into B&W using photoshop. There is the "image/mode/grayscale" menu to do that, but I think I've heard it produces only 256 levels of grayscale (8bits). I think I've heard that it's possible to have a better grayscale range using another method, but I cant remember how.

Does anyone knows about that?

Thanks!!
 09/01/2004 12:38:13 PM · #2
This can also be done by Channel Mixer (monochrome setting) and many other adjustments with careful tweaking.
 09/01/2004 12:39:02 PM · #3
Originally posted by Jeanseb:
Hi,

I'd like to turn color pictures into B&W using photoshop. There is the "image/mode/grayscale" menu to do that, but I think I've heard it produces only 256 levels of grayscale (8bits). I think I've heard that it's possible to have a better grayscale range using another method, but I cant remember how.

Does anyone knows about that?
Thanks!!


Hygiene (sorry but I had to do that)

Looking at this example I'm not so sure you need help?


there are many ways to do this in PS, this appears to be the newest (and maybe best way?) Virtual Photographer
 09/01/2004 12:43:23 PM · #4
Originally posted by Ecce Signum:
Originally posted by Jeanseb:
Hi,

I'd like to turn color pictures into B&W using photoshop. There is the "image/mode/grayscale" menu to do that, but I think I've heard it produces only 256 levels of grayscale (8bits). I think I've heard that it's possible to have a better grayscale range using another method, but I cant remember how.

Does anyone knows about that?
Thanks!!


Hygiene (sorry but I had to do that)

Looking at this example I'm not so sure you need help?


there are many ways to do this in PS, this appears to be the newest (and maybe best way?) Virtual Photographer


Hi, thanks for the compliment.

Actually this picture (lighthouse versus the sea) is a good example of details loss using the photoshop grayscale method. As I remember, the original color picture had more details in the background (grey sky), and these details where dissapeared when converting to grayscale (because of the poor range of pixel levels).

Anyway, thanks you for the useful link.

Thanks!
 09/01/2004 12:50:36 PM · #5
This photo:


Message edited by author 2004-09-01 20:36:47.
 09/01/2004 01:14:28 PM · #6
Originally posted by Jeanseb:

Actually this picture (lighthouse versus the sea) is a good example of details loss using the photoshop grayscale method. As I remember, the original color picture had more details in the background (grey sky), and these details where dissapeared when converting to grayscale (because of the poor range of pixel levels).

Anyway, thanks you for the useful link.

Thanks!


Well I like the fact the sky is grey, it doesn't distract from the reason for the image - the sea. I love it as it is, but if you want to improve on that I'm all eyes :)

Or you could go see Kostas gallery for 'real' black and white pics ;)

09/01/2004 01:29:24 PM · #7
you can do a search in the forums..there are loads of threads where many of our talented photographers share their BW techniques. I personally like the channel mixer method as outlined in this luminous landscape tutorial:

Better Black and White by Luminious Landscape.com
 09/01/2004 02:04:55 PM · #8
I personally prefer DigiDaan's method (it isn't really his method either, but he converted the steps to an actual you can download from his site, so that's the name it is often referred to by). By using the two layers he describes, it is easy to visually shift the tone to a "pleasing" setting.
 09/01/2004 02:11:07 PM · #9
All jpeg files are 8-bit. If you're using only black and white, you're restricted to 256 shades. You can get thhere by many means - channel mixer is most favoured - but you still have the same output range.

E
 09/01/2004 03:07:23 PM · #10
I had no idea that just doing grayscale lost so much quality.

Thanks to everyone for the links.
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