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Forums · UKNP

Black and White conversions

Discussion

4 replies
Posted by Oscar Dewhurst on June 19, 2011 at 4:49 PM
I would quite like to have a go at converting some images to black and white, but they looked terrible! I was just wondering how to do them properly and to make them look good. Just reducing the saturation fully does not do this! I really have no idea how to do it. I am using Photoshop Elements 8.

Thanks :wink:

Oscar :wavey:
Posted by Andy Astbury on June 20, 2011 at 1:56 PM
Try the Nik Silver Efex plugin (if it works in Elements??) Oscar.

If the plugin for Elements isn't available just use it stand-alone.
Posted by PhilH on June 20, 2011 at 3:13 PM
Another vote for Nik.... The problem you are facing is the 'spectral' response of B/W film... something that reducing the saturation and converting to greyscale cannot get near to... not sure if actions work in Elements 8 but there are some good ones for B/W conversion... It isn't easy to get it right....

Will have a look at elements... :wavey:
Posted by Mike Smith on June 20, 2011 at 5:00 PM
here is a fairly decent tutorial
Posted by Neil Burton on June 23, 2011 at 10:54 AM
I honestly think there is more work in a mono shot than a colour; levels, contrast masks, dodging and burning....very therapeutic though. I used to use B&W pro, nice little converter with great contrast options.