Photoshop Help

[Lisa Marie]

I just got Photoshop and didnt realize it was going to be so difficult and technical. How in the world do you acheive a good black and white photo. I tried it think with the Hue/Saturation and they always look so flat. Is there a different way. I am sure this question is rather first grade for you guys but I greatly appreciate any advice anyone can offer. Thanks so much...!!!

lisa

[Paul.S.]

After you desaturate the photo you can use Image-->Adjustment-->Levels (hot key is CTRL+L) or Image-->Adjustments-Curves to tweak the tone of the photograph. I reccomend using levels at first as you only have 3 options to play with along the histogram. The curves can quickly get out of hand for a beginner. I have never had great results with any photoshop automatic action or plugin for converting color to B&W with perfect results. Just my 2 cents.

[mjs1973]

Hi Lisa,

What version of Photoshop are you using? I haven't done much b&w conversion so I'm no expert. I do have a plug in that I downloaded for free that has many b&w options, but none are that great. Here is a link to the site where I got it if you're interested.

If your version of PS lets you choose different channels, that can give you some pretty good options. Go to Window, Show Channels. Start shutting off some of the channels till you find a version that you like. Element's 2.0 doesn't let you do this,not sure about 3.0. If you have a full version of PS you should be able to use this method. Once I get the channel I like, I highlight the other channels and delete them. (click on them in the channel pallet so they are highlighted, then click on the trash can in the bottom right corner of the channels pallet) Once you have it down to just one channel you can save the file, but the file types you can save it as are pretty limited. If you go to Image, Mode, Grayscale once you only have 1 channel, you will have many more file options for saving the file. If you're still not satisfied with the way the image looks, you can tweek it just like Paul suggested.

I find that the channels method gives much better results than desaturating, or just converting to grayscale. I'm sure there are better ways of doing it but that's the method I prefer.

Good luck, I hope I didn't confuse you.

[Peter_AUS]

Scott Kelby writes very good fairly easy to follow books specifically for Photoshop. I would suggest buying at a minimum one of his books and have a good read of it, then experimenting with his suggestions and also Michael's as well.

[another view]

Scott Kelby's books are great, definately pick up the one for the series of Photoshop you've got. Here's what I do, which was learned from his book (and other places). These are the steps for Photoshop CS which might be a little different than other versions:

Image > Mode > Channel Mixer

At the lower left of the box that pops up, check "monochrome". Move the sliders around until you get the look you want, but keep the total at 100%. After clicking OK, use Levels to make any other adjustments needed.

Be sure to check out the Digital Imaging forum here as well, this subject comes up from time to time.

[mjs1973]

Scott Kelby's books are great, definately pick up the one for the series of Photoshop you've got. Here's what I do, which was learned from his book (and other places). These are the steps for Photoshop CS which might be a little different than other versions:

Image > Mode > Channel Mixer

At the lower left of the box that pops up, check "monochrome". Move the sliders around until you get the look you want, but keep the total at 100%. After clicking OK, use Levels to make any other adjustments needed.

Be sure to check out the Digital Imaging forum here as well, this subject comes up from time to time.

That's it! I knew there was a method of using the channel mixer, but I couldn't remember it. I will have to give it a try next time I convert something.

[Lisa Marie]

Thanks so much everyone for all the advice and tips. I will surley see about getting my hands on one of Scott Kelby's books. I have not found photoshop's help very helpful. I also will be checking out the digial imaging fourms. I didnt even think about checking there for help. Thanks again to everyone. You guys Rock!!!!!!!!

lisa