Convert a Photo to Black and White with a Desaturate Layer

This is a simple black and white conversion technique that yields good results. Thanks to Marc from TTLTT who summarized it to me.

Proceed as follows:

  1. In the Layer palette select the layer containing the image to convert to black and white (most probably the background layer).

  2. Create a new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer with the default settings; call it Hue.

  3. Create another Hue/Saturation adjustment layer with Saturation set to -100; let’s call this one Saturation.

  4. Select the Hue layer in the Layer palette.

  5. Select Color in the blend mode drop-down menu (the one in the top-left of the Layer palette).

  6. Double-click the Layer thumbnail of the Hue layer; this opens the Hue/Saturation dialog box for the Hue layer.

  7. Play with the Hue setting until you’re satisfied with the result.

  8. Click OK.

The following pictures show the effect of the desaturation technique with various Hue values:

Black & White (Original)
Original picture
Black & White (Desaturate, Hue +0)
Hue +0
Black & White (Desaturate, Hue -30)
Hue -30
Black & White (Desaturate, Hue +180)
Hue +180

This technique is explained in more details at DigiDaan, which also provides a Photoshop action to automate the process.

— November 30th, 2007

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