Photoshop: Classic Black and White Photo Techniques.

An alternative way to make a black and white photo in Photoshop, NOT just by clicking Mode -> Grayscale. Check inside for more detail.

Step 1: The Original Photo

The original color photo was taken at Wat Sam Kor Temple, Chacheongsao, Thailand during my friend's ordination.

Step 2: Simple B/W Method

Normally if you only choose Mode -> Grayscale, you can only get a Black and White image like this, the resulting color is too flat.

Step 3: Alternative Way to Make a B/W Photo.

By using the alternative way, you can make a photo like this.

Step 4: First: Change the Hue/Saturation Setting.

First: Choose Image -> Adjustment -> Hue/Saturation Setting, set it to -100%.

Step 5: Set Black and White Points

Second: Choose Image -> Adjustment -> Levels, choose the "Set black point" and choose a dark area on your photo, see how the overall color changes. In this photo I choose the right-side of the forehead.

Step 6: Set White Point

Same as previous step, Set the White Point. This time I choose the left arm of the other monk (right hand side of the photo).

Step 7: Add Noise.

Add some noise from the Filter menu, I use about 25 in this image, and choose also "monochromatic" at the Add Noise dialog box.

Step 8: Make a Border Selection.

Under the menu Select -> All, then Select -> Modify -> Border, this time I choose 50, but it depends on the size of your photo.

Then choose Select -> Feather, and this time I use 30, but it also depends on your image size.