Converting Images to Black and White

There are many ways to convert an image from colour to black and white. This article explores a method using Photoshop Elements.

1. From the Image menu, select Mode -> Grayscale.
2. From the Windows menu, select Layers -> Duplicate Layer. Rename the layer if you don't like "Background Copy". (e.g. "Tonal modifications")
3. In the Layers window, select the "Background Copy" layer, and change the Layer type from Normal to Overlay.
4. Optionally decrease the Opacity percentage of the "Background Copy" in the upper right corner of the Layers window.
5. From the Image menu, select Adjustment -> Replace Colour. Move the Fuzziness slider to the right, and then use the Eyedropper buttons in the top left of the Replace Colour window to select a tonal range you want to change. (The selected area will show up as white on the Replace Colour dialog screen.) Move the Lightness slider cautiously to increase or decrease the tonality.
6. Identify localized areas that need further tonal adjustments.
   1. To select a corner of the image - perhaps part of a sky scene - use the Lasso tool.
      1. From the Select menu, choose Feather and set the value to something like 80 pixels.
      2. In the Layers window, click the button with the black and white circle on it and choose Levels.
      3. In the Levels window, move the middle/gray slider arrow toward the right/white slider arrow to darken the selection; move the slider to the left to brighten the selection. Click OK.
   2. To select clouds, use the Magic Wand tool (consider setting the Tolerance to something like 20).
      1. From the Select menu, choose Feather and set the value to something like 15 pixels.
      2. In the Layers window, click the button with the black and white circle on it and choose Levels.
      3. In the Levels window, move the middle/gray slider arrow toward the right/white slider arrow to darken the selection; move the slider to the left to brighten the selection. Click OK.
7. In the Layers window, select the "Background Copy" layer again. Use the Dodge tool to lighten the image and the Burn tool to darken it.
8. From the Enhance menu, select Adjust Lighting -> Shadow/Highlights. Experiment on the effects of each slider by moving them back and forth. For example, to reveal more detail, darken Highlights by 5%, increase contrast, and reduce Lighten Shadows down to a smaller value.