I thought I'd share this BW conversion trick with FMers...
I attended a PS seminar last week from a very successful wedding photographer and learned a great BW conversion trick. The results produce fantastic BW prints on my Epson equipment, which can be finicky for color casts using other methods of BW conversion. Total time to convert, once you get the hang of it, is about 20 seconds.
1. Set foreground/background to black/white default
2. Open image
3. Create a Gradient Map adjustment layer
4. Check reverse if the image is reversed
5. Click on the gradient
6. Select first gradient in Presets
7. Click just below the gradient and above the word "Stops" to create a stop
8. Set location to 50%
9. Double-Click on the center stop button ("color stop that was created in steps 7 and 8. At this point the image won't look so good.
10. Click on L button
11. Set L to 56
12. If a warmer tone is desired, set "b" button to 6
At this point, you can then click on the "S" button and use the slider to adjust sepia, and the "H" button slider for Hue. Fun to play with and FANTASTIC results.
13. Click OK
14. Click and drag the small diamonds on each side of the 50% stop ("color midpoint" shows on these when the mouse is positioned over the diamonds) to adjust levels
Nice Info.....thanks for taking the time to provide a tutorial.......I bet it's cold up your way this weekend...it was pretty cold last night here in Salem.......
I tried the method you suggested and find it very worthwhile. I have about 6 or 7 methods that I have used ( 2 or 3 are my favorites) but I have to say the one you posted is excellent as well.
Thanks for such a complete explanation... with screen captures no less. Very well done and appreciated.
This looks like a great conversion method. I have a couple that work well, but I'm going to try this one. Is it possible to set this up as an action?
JD
Thanks for the detailed steps. I have not converted any yet, but will practice. I realized that it helps to see an image in B&W when shooting in color!
Thank you very much for taking the time to put this up! I've taken some notes and am looking forward to giving this a try for myself. I like the results you achieved in your example.
An added bonus: the gradient layer comes with a built in layer mask. While I don't particularly like the effect, selective coloring is very easy to achieve by simply clicking on a black foreground, selecting a soft brush, selecting the mask, and then brushing on a mask that essentially hides the gradient mask, revealing the (original) color below the layer.
This is sweet. I created an action from it and named it 'B&W by Glasdriver'. I hope you don't mind. You will need to tweak it per his instructions.
I also added a normal Hue/Saturation Adjustment layer to mimic the effects of red, orange, yellow filters, etc. directly above the Background layer. Feel free to discard it.
I'm a total n00b at Photoshop, but I'm trying to do this conversion and I'm following the steps exactly as you describe them and its still not working correctly for me. Can someone please help me out? Below is a screen shot of what happens as soon as I select the "Foreground to Background" preset it totally messes up, I've tried messing with things after that point but I can't seem to get it to work. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, so any help is apprciated. BTW, I'm using PS 7.0 if it matters, it all appears to be the same, though. Thanks! http://www.customtacos.com/gallery2/data/500/1746paint-med.jpg
that was created in steps 7 and 8. At this point the image won't look so good.
