An introduction to the ‘Black and White: part two’ tutorial

In this, the first of our technique based video tutorials, we take a detailed look at four techniques you can use to convert an image to black and white: the Hue/Saturation tool; the Channel Mixer; the Black and White tool; and how to convert your images to black and white during the RAW conversion process. In the first section we discuss the limitations of the Hue/Saturation tool before moving on to section two: a detailed discussion of how the Channel Mixer technique can be used to radically adjust both the tonal range and tonal balance of a black and white image. In the third section we take a detailed look at the Black and White tool (introduced in CS3), which provides an ever greater degree of fine scale control over the conversion process, but we also discuss an alternative way of working the Hue/Saturation tool (to emulate the functionality of the Black and White tool: useful if you're using CS2 or an earlier version of Photoshop). In the final section we move on to discuss how to convert your images to black and white during the RAW conversion process.

In each section we discuss the strengths and weakness of each technique, from both a technical and aesthetic point of view, by reference to four example images, each of which can each be downloaded from the members area.

    published on: 14th August 2010
    duration: 1h 3m 42s
    video size: 1280px by 800px
    file size: 771MB
    comments: 30 comments

Photoshop files included with this tutorial

Each of our video tutorials is based around a series of example Photoshop files. The ones that are included in this tutorial, and a brief description of how each one will be used, are listed below – the ‘before’ version on the left, the ‘after’ version on the right. Each of these files can be downloaded after you subscribe.

How to get from this …	to this
		Image 1 In this example we provide a detailed explanation of both the Hue/Saturation tool and the Channel Mixer tool: how to use them to convert your images to black and white, and how to determine which settings you need to produce a striking black and white image.
		Image 2 In this example we compare and contrast the Hue/Saturation tool, the Channel Mixer tool, and the Black and White tool, and conclude that while the Channel Mixer tool can produce a considerably better image than the Hue/Saturation, the Black and White tool offers an even greater degree of control over the appearance of your final image.
		Image 3 This section of the video provides another comparison of the Hue/Saturation tool, the Channel Mixer tool, and the Black and White tool.
		Image 4 In the final section of the video we discuss the merits of converting your image to black and white during the RAW conversion process.

What our subscribers have said about this tutorial

"This video is a revelation!! I have never seen or heard or read such a concise and expository example of B&W since I started digital photography years ago. I can't thank you enough!"

Janelle

"I ran through this last night, and it was fantastic. I really like the use of video in the tutorial. I had your video on the right monitor, and CS5 running on the left. It really made running through the tutorials more slick. I look forward to more like this."

Jules

"While I have loved your work, tutorials, and tools from the outset, you really have brought it to a new level (for me) with the video tutorial. It's ever so helpful to be able to see and hear at one time what you are thinking, visualizing, comparing, and then choosing. I was so delighted watching this, I heard my husband tell his mother "I hope that guy does very well he makes Jeree so happy" :) So thank you ever so much, all your lessons helpful and invaluable and so appreciated!"

Jeree

"Absolutely wonderful and most helpful tutorial. I've 4-5 books on B&W conversion alone, and this was more helpful than all of them combined."

MDawson

How to subscribe

Further information

To find out more about our other individual tutorials please click any of the following images. Alternatively, you can visit our main tutorials page for further information on: our annual subscriptions; our forthcoming issues; and our current members’s offers. You can also read through our sample tutorial on Tonal Range and the Curves tool.



			Mini-PSDs We introduced our Mini-PSDs in February 2010, and release a new image every week. Click here to see the full list of Mini-PSDs and find out more about this feature.						Critique Slot Screencasts Our Critique Slot Screencasts provide our members with an exciting opportunity to get detailed and constructive feedback on one of their own images, gain an insight into how other members postprocess their images, and see how I might have processed that particular image. Click here to find out more.