How to use Black and White Conversion in Photoshop in 2024

In this lesson, you’ll learn How to use Black and White Conversion in Photoshop, and then use selective color to bring attention to particular areas. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll complete an assignment to create a black-and-white image with selective color accents.

Welcome to Day 28 of your Photoshop course! Today, we’re focusing on a popular editing technique: converting images to black and white and adding selective color accents. This method allows you to create visually striking images by highlighting specific elements with color against a monochromatic backdrop.

1. Black & White Conversion and Selective Color

Black and white conversion removes color from an image, giving it a classic, timeless look. Selective color adds vibrant color to specific parts of the image while keeping the rest in black and white. This technique is often used to emphasize important elements or create artistic effects.

Here’s a breakdown of the two main techniques you’ll use today:

• Black & White Conversion: Changing the color image to grayscale. Photoshop offers various methods for this, each giving different results.
• Selective Color: Adding or enhancing color in specific areas of the image while keeping the rest in black and white.

2. Step-by-Step Guide to Black and White Conversion

Step 1: Open Your Image

Start by opening the image you want to work on in Photoshop. Choose a photo where you want to experiment with black-and-white conversion and selective color.

Step 2: Convert to Black & White

• Method 1: Using Black & White Adjustment Layer

  • Go to the Layers Panel and click on the Adjustment Layer icon (the circle split in half) at the bottom.
  • Select Black & White from the list.
  • Photoshop will convert your image to black and white using a default preset.
  • Adjust the sliders in the Properties Panel to tweak the grayscale values of different color ranges (Reds, Yellows, Greens, etc.) for fine-tuning the conversion.

• Method 2: Using Desaturate

  • Select the image layer.
  • Go to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate. This will remove all color from the image, converting it to grayscale.
  • Note: Desaturate is a simpler method and does not offer as much control as the Black & White Adjustment Layer.

Step 3: Fine-Tune the Black & White Conversion

• If using the Black & White Adjustment Layer, adjust the sliders to change the brightness and contrast of specific color channels. This lets you control how each color is represented in grayscale.
• Use the Layer Mask feature if you want to apply black-and-white conversion to only specific areas of your image.

3. Step-by-Step Guide to Selective Color

Step 1: Add a Color Layer

• Create a new Layer above your black-and-white image layer.
• Use the Brush Tool or Shape Tool to paint or draw the areas you want to keep in color. Use a bright color for easy visibility.

Step 2: Clip the Color Layer

• Right-click on the color layer and select Create Clipping Mask. This will restrict the color effect to the areas where you painted or drew.

Step 3: Adjust the Color Layer

• Change the blending mode of the color layer to Color or Overlay from the Layers Panel. This will blend the color with the underlying black-and-white image.

Step 4: Refine Your Selective Color

• Use the Eraser Tool or Layer Mask to remove or refine the color areas. This helps in achieving a more polished look.
• Adjust the opacity of the color layer to fine-tune the intensity of the color effect.

4. Tips for Effective Black & White Conversion and Selective Color

• Choose the Right Image: Images with strong contrasts and clear focal points work best for this technique.
• Use Layer Masks: Layer masks help you precisely control where the color is applied and where it’s not.
• Experiment with Adjustment Layers: Different black-and-white adjustments and blending modes can create unique effects.
• Pay Attention to Detail: Zoom in to ensure clean edges and accurate color application.

5. Assignment

Here’s a step-by-step guide for your assignment:

1. Open a photo in Photoshop that you want to convert to black and white.
2. Convert the image to black and white using the Black & White Adjustment Layer or Desaturate.
3. Add a new layer above the black and white layer.
4. Use the Brush Tool or Shape Tool to paint or draw the areas where you want to add color.
5. Clip the color layer to the black and white layer by right-clicking and selecting Create Clipping Mask.
6. Adjust the blending mode of the color layer to Color or Overlay, and refine the color areas using a Layer Mask or Eraser Tool.
7. Save your work as a PSD file and export a JPEG or PNG to share your edited image.

6. Quiz: Black & White Conversion and Selective Color

Test your knowledge with these questions:

1. Which tool is best for converting an image to black and white while allowing adjustments to specific color channels?

   • a) Hue/Saturation
   • b) Black & White Adjustment Layer
   • c) Vibrance

2. What does the Blending Mode “Color” do when applied to a layer?

   • a) Converts the layer to grayscale
   • b) Blends the color layer with the underlying black-and-white image
   • c) Changes the opacity of the color layer

3. How can you restrict color effects to specific areas of an image?

   • a) Using the Brush Tool
   • b) Using Layer Masks
   • c) Using the Clone Stamp Tool

4. What is the advantage of using the Black & White Adjustment Layer over Desaturate?

   • a) It does not change the color balance
   • b) It allows for more precise control over the grayscale conversion
   • c) It automatically corrects image contrast

5. Which adjustment is used to enhance the colors in a black-and-white image?

   • a) Color Balance
   • b) Selective Color
   • c) Curves

Answers:

1. b) Black & White Adjustment Layer
2. b) Blends the color layer with the underlying black-and-white image
3. b) Using Layer Masks
4. b) It allows for more precise control over the grayscale conversion
5. b) Selective Color

Congratulations on completing Day 28! You’ve learned how to convert images to black and white and apply selective color accents to highlight specific elements. This technique can add dramatic effects and focus attention on your images.

Next up, on Day 29, we will explore Advanced Layer Blending Techniques to further enhance your photo editing skills!

Previous Chapter:

• Day 27: Color Correction Tools

Next Chapter:

• Day 29: Advanced Layer Blending Techniques!