Converting Colour to B&W (Page 2): Each image is different and there are at least 7 different ways (with one variant) to do what you ask:...

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

infocus wrote:

I would like as many UHH members to tell me their favourite way (of the many) to convert a colour image to a B&W image. A BRIEF explanation as to why it's your fav. might be helpful too.
Personally I have two I like above most. Gradient map and Channel Mixer. I like gradient map because it seems to give a greater tonal range (or tonality) and I like Channel Mixer because you can pick a filter to "shoot through".

Each image is different and there are at least 7 different ways (with one variant) to do what you ask:

https://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/7-black-and-white-photoshop-conversion-techniques--photo-488

http://www.outbackphoto.com/workshop/photoshop_corner/essay_21/essay.html

infocus Loc: Australia

Gene51 wrote:

Each image is different and there are at least 7 different ways (with one variant) to do what you ask:

https://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/7-black-and-white-photoshop-conversion-techniques--photo-488

http://www.outbackphoto.com/workshop/photoshop_corner/essay_21/essay.html

Seven different ways to tell me what method you use to convert colour to B&W? Thanks for your response.

infocus Loc: Australia

bdk wrote:

I use topaz most of the time, as it has many presets to choose from plus lots of ways to edit the color.
on occasion I use NIK's Silver FX pro. when I cant get exactly what I want in Topaz I'll try it.
If its just something I'm putting on Facebook, I just use photoshops B&W because its quick, ( when I really dont care a whole lot about how it looks)

Thank you for taking the time to reply and for answering my question. I have used Silver FX pro and do like it. I have Topaz but have never used it for conversion to B&W. Don't know why either. I'll give it a go. I appreciate you taking the time to respond - thank you.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

infocus wrote:

Seven different ways to tell me what method you use to convert colour to B&W? Thanks for your response.

I've used them all. As I said, each image is different, and one approach that may give excellent results with one image may not be suitable for another. So, I don't have a "go to" method. I think I answered your question, however I detect some sarcasm in your response. Anyway, if you were looking for a single method, I have failed you. But I did tell you what I use, and why.

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

Kmgw9v wrote:

Silver Efex

timfonteno

I use NIK filter "SILVER EFEX PRO 2" with its variety of presets and fine tuning controls. After I get pretty close to my vision for a particular image, I switch back to PS CC 2017 to perform final tweaking & save as JPG ... on to the next one. NIK COLLECTION by Google.

infocus Loc: Australia

timfonteno wrote:

I use NIK filter "SILVER EFEX PRO 2" with its variety of presets and fine tuning controls. After I get pretty close to my vision for a particular image, I switch back to PS CC 2017 to perform final tweaking & save as JPG ... on to the next one. NIK COLLECTION by Google.

Thanks for your reply and for taking the time to do so, it's really appreciated. Silver EFex Pro is one I have used and do like. So far in all the responses I've received no one has said they use Gradient map. I only recently found it myself and I really like it. Thanks again for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

burkphoto wrote:

I don't have a favorite. I use the NIK plug-ins and the Adobe CC suite (LR + PS). It really depends on the subject. Sometimes a simple desaturation is enough. But you can spend hours tweaking the tones...

I do the same

infocus Loc: Australia

mborn wrote:

I do the same

Thank you.

Camerant Loc: USA

Photoshop:
1. Convert image to LAB
2. Open Lightness channel, and adjust it with Curves or Levels.
3. Convert to BW

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

infocus wrote:

I would like as many UHH members to tell me their favourite way (of the many) to convert a colour image to a B&W image. A BRIEF explanation as to why it's your fav. might be helpful too.
Personally I have two I like above most. Gradient map and Channel Mixer. I like gradient map because it seems to give a greater tonal range (or tonality) and I like Channel Mixer because you can pick a filter to "shoot through".

Topaz and ON1. Both offer numerous presets as well as the ability to add an almost infite number of tweeks and adjustments.

Pierre H.J. Dumais Loc: Mississippi Mills, Ont.

Gene makes a good point.
I have several available. But, my work horse and favorite is Silver Efex.
Pierre

johnbee418 Loc: Manchester Conn.

I continue to defend to the death my Picasa program. It makes a conversion to B&W very easy and has tools to
increase contrast and add "pop" to my photos.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

infocus wrote:

I would like as many UHH members to tell me their favourite way (of the many) to convert a colour image to a B&W image. A BRIEF explanation as to why it's your fav. might be helpful too.
Personally I have two I like above most. Gradient map and Channel Mixer. I like gradient map because it seems to give a greater tonal range (or tonality) and I like Channel Mixer because you can pick a filter to "shoot through".

My favorite is Adobe Camera Raw (ACR), combined with Photoshop. ACR has more filter options than PS, then can go into PS for further refinements including cropping and adding some NIK Structure, then back to ACR for spot adjustments and sharpening. I have the NIK plugs in but like ACR better than NIK SilverEffects.

anotherview Loc: California

Adobe Camera Raw offers a black-and-white conversion process, too. I use it along with other methods, sometimes to suit my mood or my desire to try another avenue in photography.