B&W conversion with Photoshop Elements 5

[invisible]

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.

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[MACollum]

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]

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]

Thank you, guys!!

[Chris of Arabia]

Any time...