Converting Color to Black and White
I thought I’d do something different today. I figured I would start documenting my post processing workflow and share them here. I am hoping someone reading my blog would find it helpful.
I found a photo of a pink rose that I took a while back. I wanted to covert the image into black and white, and I wanted it to have that soft look, which I think is appropriate for this subject.
Old Rose
Since I shoot in RAW, I “developed” the file in Lightroom 4. I fixed the white balance and adjusted the exposure. I wanted to overexpose it a little to achieve the look that I want. I then exported it over to Photoshop Elements to continue with the editing. The plan was to use Topaz BW Effects to convert the image. Here is my Photoshop workflow:
- Duplicate background layer
- Cleared some of the stray water drops using Spot Healing Tool in Photoshop
- Flattened the layers
- Duplicated the background layer again and renamed it Topaz BW
- Launched Topaz BW Effects from the Filter tab in Photoshop Elements
- In the Topaz BW Effects plugin, I chose Milk Memories from the Opalotype Collection
- Played around with the strength of the effect until I am satisfied with the outcome
- Back to Photoshop Elements, I created a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer, pushed the Saturation slider all the way to the left to remove the remaining hint of color
- I flattened the layers, then created Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to adjust the lightness to +14 (I needed to adjust the lightness because I wanted to lighten the background more)
- Finally, on the Hue/Saturation layer mask, I brushed over the flower to bring back the details on the petals.
Et voila! The final image is now a soft black and white.
Black and white rose
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Nice job Gracie. By the way, Topaz B&W Effects II is out now, free upgrade.
Thanks! I actually downloaded the new Topaz B&W effects last night. Oh and my latest post is about it too
The black and white choices you made are really interesting – it’s such a different photo. It’s much more about the spirals in the center, but at the same time it’s so atmospheric.
Thanks, Lynn. I really liked the center of the rose and wanted to emphasize that more on the black and white image.
i like the original one
the rosy color is so perfect.
Thanks Fiona
Beautifully done, Gracie! I much prefer this soft toned black and white to the original photo. Really good choice for a black and white conversion!
Thanks, Melinda! I love the tone of the black and white too. I am actually thinking of having it printed and framed
I love the black and white Gracie. It is exquisite. Appears to delicate and full of beauty. Blessings, Robyn
Thank you, Robyn
Beautiful rose picture!!!
Thanks Rexlin!
I like both versions Gracie. Just curious why you blew out the bottom left of the lower photo? I think it balances the image….hope you don’t mind me asking?
Thanks, Mike! And no, I don’t mind you asking at all
Originally, I wanted to leave the shadow there but remove the stray drops, I tried the spot healing tool, but it didn’t come out as clean as I’d hope, so I simply blew it out.
Beautifully done Gracie and good of you to share your workflow.
Thank you
both hold their own appeal…beautiful work!
Thank you, Heather!
I like B&W photos with high contrast, but this soft version is…. beautiful!
Thank you. I am happy to know you like it
They’re great, both of them!
Thank you, Christian
Very nice, and I’m sure that it was fun getting the image the way that you wanted it.
Thanks, Sally! I had so much fun!
Thank you so much for such a beautiful roses.
You are very welcome, Rima
Excellent technique. I always had an interest in high key lighted photos and this is perfect subject matter for it.
Thanks! I usually like the colored version of floral shots, but I thought I’d mix it up a little, and I am actually quite happy with how it turned out
By the way, I can’t seem to find your blog anymore, did you change sites?