B&W conversion with Photoshop Elements 5

invisible · 04-03-2009, 09:35 PM

I haven't been able to find a tutorial about this online, so I'm resorting to the helpful userbase here at TPF.

Can someone explain in a few easy steps how to convert images to B&W with Photoshop Elements 5? I have tried to do it intuitively in a few different ways, but I always end up with images that lack contrast.

I know next to nothing about this software (or about post-processing in general, to be honest). I don't know how to use layers or fancy things like that. What I'm looking for is an idiot-proof explanation in lay English. Let's just say I'm the master of the quick fix.

Thanks for your help and mercy

EDIT: I shoot RAW, by the way.

MACollum · 04-04-2009, 09:41 AM

Having not used Elements I can only be of limited help. I suppose the fastest way would be to desaturate (not sure how in Elements though) but that won't really give you the best results. Try these links I got from Google:

http://jfletcherphoto.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/photoshop-elements-tutorial-converting-to-black-and-white/

http://www.which.co.uk/advice/photoshop-elements-change-colour-images-to-bandw/index.jsp

http://www.photokaboom.com/photography/learn/Photoshop_Elements/color_to_bw/1_color_to_bw.htm

HTH.

**Chris of Arabia** · 04-04-2009, 09:47 AM

There is the 'Enhance | Convert to Black & White' option, but as you've found it is a little limited in scope (I'm assuming you're not using the Image | Mode | Grayscale option). The only way I've found with it is to convert using the style that most closely represents what you like the look of then adjust the Red/Green/Blue/Contrast options as necessary, but before you do the adjustment, move the slider as far left as it will go to keep control of the changes; it's very easy to over do it.

invisible · 04-04-2009, 10:00 AM

Thank you, guys!!

**Chris of Arabia** · 04-04-2009, 04:12 PM

Any time...

04-03-2009, 09:35 PM	#1
invisible TPF Junkie! Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,725 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts My Gallery: (0)	B&W conversion with Photoshop Elements 5 I haven't been able to find a tutorial about this online, so I'm resorting to the helpful userbase here at TPF. Can someone explain in a few easy steps how to convert images to B&W with Photoshop Elements 5? I have tried to do it intuitively in a few different ways, but I always end up with images that lack contrast. I know next to nothing about this software (or about post-processing in general, to be honest). I don't know how to use layers or fancy things like that. What I'm looking for is an idiot-proof explanation in lay English. Let's just say I'm the master of the quick fix. Thanks for your help and mercy EDIT: I shoot RAW, by the way. __________________ I'm gone with the wind. Sayonara! Federico Referral code: 4XD-5VV-39P (Full disclosure: You save $5, I save $5 too.)

04-04-2009, 09:41 AM	#2
MACollum I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 385 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post My Gallery: (0)	Having not used Elements I can only be of limited help. I suppose the fastest way would be to desaturate (not sure how in Elements though) but that won't really give you the best results. Try these links I got from Google: http://jfletcherphoto.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/photoshop-elements-tutorial-converting-to-black-and-white/ http://www.which.co.uk/advice/photoshop-elements-change-colour-images-to-bandw/index.jsp http://www.photokaboom.com/photography/learn/Photoshop_Elements/color_to_bw/1_color_to_bw.htm HTH. __________________ Mindy Hey pretty, don't you wanna take a ride with me through my world? -Poe Photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yosmama151/

04-04-2009, 09:47 AM	#3
Chris of Arabia Herding cats since 1988... Site Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The Magic Kingdom Posts: 6,971 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts My Gallery: (110)	There is the 'Enhance \| Convert to Black & White' option, but as you've found it is a little limited in scope (I'm assuming you're not using the Image \| Mode \| Grayscale option). The only way I've found with it is to convert using the style that most closely represents what you like the look of then adjust the Red/Green/Blue/Contrast options as necessary, but before you do the adjustment, move the slider as far left as it will go to keep control of the changes; it's very easy to over do it. __________________ flickr now showing... obligatory blog - izdihar.com

04-04-2009, 10:00 AM	#4
invisible TPF Junkie! Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,725 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Thank you, guys!! __________________ I'm gone with the wind. Sayonara! Federico Referral code: 4XD-5VV-39P (Full disclosure: You save $5, I save $5 too.)

04-04-2009, 04:12 PM	#5
Chris of Arabia Herding cats since 1988... Site Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The Magic Kingdom Posts: 6,971 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts My Gallery: (110)	Any time... __________________ flickr now showing... obligatory blog - izdihar.com

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