CS3 Hidden Gem: The Black and White Adjustment

Creating Black and White Conversions easily in CS3

by Kevin Moss

The latest version of Photoshop, CS3, offers many new features. The ability to create artwork for mobile devices, a next-generation Camera Raw, improved printing and color management, with improvements to the interface are the major improvements. The one new feature that caught my attention, and is well worth the price of the upgrade, is the new Black and White adjustment layer. With previous versions of Photoshop, you had to either use the desaturate adjustment, or the channel mixer to convert color photos to black and white. The addition of the Black and White adjustment layer is a welcome add-on, and will streamline your black and white conversions.

Stonehenge #1 Color
© Kevin Moss
All Rights Reserved

Black and White Conversions Made Easy

When using previous versions of Photoshop I always made it part of my workflow for to create a layer specifically to convert an image to black and white. I like to have both a black and white and color version of my images, as I believe that some images always look better in color, and some look great in black and white. The new adjustment layer offered in CS3 makes that part of my workflow easier.

STEP 1: I’ll go through the standard workflow I always do; a) process the image in color in Camera Raw b) open the image in Photoshop c) From the layers palette, click on the Create new fill or adjustment layer button, and select Levels. Make an auto or manual levels adjustment. d) Create a Curves adjustment layer to make adjustments to contrast. e) Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer, and increase/decrease color saturation.

Creating Layers
© Kevin Moss
All Rights Reserved

Creating the Black and White Adjustment

STEP 2: Create a Black and White Adjustment layer. Repeating the process from STEP 1 in creating an adjustment layer, select Black and White.

black and white
© Kevin Moss
All Rights Reserved

Using the Black and White Adjustment

STEP 4: When the Black and White Adjustment palette appears, I’ll often click on the Preset menu, and select from a number of presets, such as High Contrast Red filter, or even Infrared. This is a huge timesaver, and I often get the results I want by experimenting from the many presents offered.

STEP 5: Make fine tuning adjustments to the color controls offered in the palette. Adding or subtracting colors, especially in the red, green, blue and yellow channels can greatly change the appearance of the photo. Remember, only subtle adjustments are needed to make dramatic changes to your image.

STEP 6: Save the file in PSD format. I always save the files I’m adjusting as a PSD file, therefore maintaining my previous work and layers. If I want to create a JPEG version, I can always flatten the image, and perform a SAVE-AS command, but still maintain my working image.

The Finished Product

Black and white is an often forgotten form of photography. If you concentrate mostly in color, give black and white a try. Do yourself a favor, view some older images you’ve never worked with before, and try creating a black and white version of these images. You may be surprised at the result, and happy that you’ve expanded your artistic repertoire.

More on Kevin Moss...

Check out Kevin's awesome 4-week online photography class right here at BetterPhoto.com:
Photoshop and Elements For Nature Photographers

About Author / Instructor / Photographer, Kevin Moss
Kevin Moss is a professional photographer as well as author of digital photography books.Most recent written works include Photoshop CS2 and Digital Photography for Dummies (Wiley Publishing), Camera Raw with Photoshop for Dummies (Wiley Publishing), 50 Fast Digital Camera Techniques Revision 2 (Wiley Publishing), and Nature Photography and Photoshop (Course Technology).

Kevins photographic travels began over 30 years ago while in high school. Though specializing in nature and landscapes, Kevin's expertise has grown to include fine-art portraiture, abstract photography, and urban scenes.

In addition to writing books and teaching photographic techniques, Kevin also donates his time and photographic services to various children-related charities, including St. Jude Childrens Hospital, and Learning Circle Academy.

You can learn more about Kevin Moss at http://kevinmossphotography.com