Tips & Tricks for Black and White Conversions

In his latest class, From Oz to Kansas 2.0, master photographer Vincent Versace takes the student through the various processes and conversion options using both Photoshop and several 3rd party plug-in options. The result is a thorough explanation that yields impressive control over a wide variety of subtle aspects of black and white images converted from color originals. You will learn several conversion techniques and methods for blending various conversions with one another to give you, the artist, a finished image that is the exact image you saw in your mind's eye when you first considered your image. From tradition and theory to practical implementation, From Oz to Kansas 2.0 is exactly the kind of class that has helped Versace develop his loyal following.

Instructor Avatar

Vincent Versace

Release Date: 2011-08-12

Lessons

Introduction

<p>Black and white images and understanding the best ways to capture them, is the starting point.</p>

Duration: 2 mins 28 seconds

The Influence of Channels

<p>After briefly discussing downloads and presets, Versace takes you through the characteristics of color channels and uses them to blend a rich black and white image.</p>

Duration: 22 mins 24 seconds

Classic B&amp;W Conversions Using LAB

<p>The LAB color space allows users to create 2 B&amp;W conversions that are decidedly better than simple desaturation.</p>

Duration: 8 mins 48 seconds

Gradient Map Conversions

<p>Gradient map conversions are powerful when applied to images which are nearly monochromatic to begin with, and are even more powerful when you strategically apply curves adjustments.</p>

Duration: 9 mins 40 seconds

Using B&amp;W Conversions to Improve Color Images

<p>Not only can a good B&amp;W improve the values of a color image, they can be used to target challenging color image enhancements as well.</p>

Duration: 3 mins 21 seconds

Split Channels

<p>A great method for analysis. A terrible method for straight conversions.</p>

Duration: 3 mins 48 seconds

InfraRed Conversions

<p>Starting with an image captured by an IR modified digital camera, special B&amp;W conversions can recreate a convincing IR film look.</p>

Duration: 11 mins 33 seconds

Multi-Channel Mixer with Silver Efex Pro

<p>This technique most closely approximates film B&amp;W control and allows the greatest amount of control over subtle aspects of the image conversion.</p>

Duration: 28 mins 19 seconds

Multi-Channel Mixer Using Only Photoshop

<p>Using sample points and color correcting by the numbers, this conversion technique doesn&#039;t use 3rd party plug-ins but it&#039;s still incredibly powerful and gives users tremendous control over subtle aspects of the image.</p>

Duration: 8 mins 4 seconds

Silver Efex Pro 2 Overview

<p>Vincent takes us through the various features and functions of Nik&#039;s popular, feature-rich black and white conversion tool.</p>

Duration: 8 mins 12 seconds

Black and White Isn&#039;t Always the Answer

<p>Some images should never be black and white. How do you know and what should you do about it?</p>

Duration: 3 mins 40 seconds