Kristen Hodgson |
|
Converting to b & w in Photoshop Elements
I am looking for a better way to convert to b&w in PSE. I have been choosing the hue/saturation box, checking colorize and selecting 25 for the hue slider and 5 for the saturation slider. This however leaves my images "muddy." I have also used an "action" available for elements called Johnny's b and w--but this creates a very "contrasted" image. When I first began I would use grayscale [heard not to]and gradient map [heard not to]--but these did create a sharper/cleaner conversion. I love the Robin Purcell action that a friend uses with PS--but I can not. Can anyone give suggestions for PSE???
May 31, 2006
|
|
|
Paul Tobeck |
|
earthboundlight.com has a free download that adds curves and channel mixer adjustment layers to Elements. The Channel mixer is one of the best options for b&w conversions. It gives you total control over how much of each channel you apply to your final b&w image. John Paul Caponigro has published couple of articles in both Outdoor Photographer and Photo Techniques about the ins and outs of using the Channel Mixer and it's worth a read. A simple google search will pull up one or both articles online.
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
Kristen Hodgson |
|
Thank you so much! I have also searched on previous q & a's and just discovered optikvervelabs.com. Have you heard of them? They offer a download called, virtual photographer. If so, how would you compare them to earthboundlight? I will check into all of your suggestions as well. Thank you for you timely response.
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
Kristen Hodgson |
|
Paul-wow--I just read the first page on the tools he has made available for elements. It really sounds great. I'll have to do some more reading, b/c I don't have experience with curves yet. I do want to understand them, though. He seems to be a great teacher--willing to share and go into detail. Thank you so much for the information.
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
Paul Tobeck |
|
Virtual Photographer is great, I use it all the time for various effects.
For B&W, I still use the channel mixer most often. Here's a couple of articles that may help..http://www.asmp.org/commerce/business_article_025.php http://www.adobe.com/digitalimag/pdfs/phs8bwconversion.pdf
May 31, 2006
|
|
|
Jagadeesh Andrew Owens |
|
Paul, I read your advice on a previous post about earthboundlight.com, and went to download it. Unfortunately, it's not available for PSE 4!!! Can't wait to try it out, though. Kristen -
If you have the money, or just want to try it free for 30 days, Alien Skin Exposure is incredible for black and white, and color. Go download it for free and it's the full version! I also use virtual photographer to layer many black and white effects and the grain effect is unbeatable. See my self portrait for an example.
May 31, 2006
|
|
|
Paul Tobeck |
|
Hey Sipho, what's up! Now that you're rich and famous, I can't believe you're still slummin' with all of us lowly snapshooters!
Before I get shushed, let me tell you that you can still get the extra tools for Elements 4, but it'll cost you $20. Check out this link...http://hiddenelements.com/downloads.html Last I read from Bob over at earthbound light is that he was still working on adapting his tools to version 4, but ain't there yet. By the way, I must ask for your forgiveness if I in any way insulted your royal photographer-ness with my careless comment about your wonderful new self-portrait. My tiny brain struggles to comprehend the greatness that is Sipho. :)
Seriously, the Tarentino look really fits the new image!
May 31, 2006
|
|
|
David A. Bliss |
|
I use optikverve's Virtual Photographer, and it works very well. It is better to make some adjustments, instead of just using the defaults, but you can get some very nice conversions. I also use the channel mixer along with curve adjustment.
May 31, 2006
|
|
|
Jagadeesh Andrew Owens |
|
No offense taken, Paul. Just contact my secretary and she will schedule an audience for you, with me, so that you may begin to fully appreciate all that is Sipho. By the way, I may start referring to my self in the royal plural, as in "We are happy to be a member of betterphoto.com" instead of "I".....
June 01, 2006
|
|
|
Paul Tobeck |
|
At least you're not referring to yourself in this first person....yet "Sipho grows weary of this conversation"
;)
June 01, 2006
|
|
|
|
Log in to respond or ask your own question.
|
