We chose the filter “B&W HDR.” Some shadows are too deep, such as those on the clothing and the lower part of the bushes along the path, and details end up getting lost. With the filter applied, inspect the image for potential improvements that you can do manually. Once you’ve decided on your filter, click “Apply” in the upper right-hand corner.Ĥ. Try out “B&W Vintage” for creamy tones, “B&W Cross” for warmer hues, and “B&W HDR” for a cooler, high-contrast look. Hint: they’re towards the end of the line. Scroll right until you find our black-and-white filters. Select “FX” again, this time from the menu on the filtering screen. This will bring up our library of filters.ģ.
On the editing screen, choose “FX” from the menu below the canvas. Choose the color photograph you wish to convert to black and white.Ģ.
In the following tutorial, we’ll explore how to make a picture black-and-white. So, the answer is “yes:” you can make a photo black-and-white for no other reason than it suits your taste. In the end, a person might opt for a grayscale image simply because they like it. Many wedding photographers, for example, will send couples versions of images with different effects: full-color, filtered, and black-and-white. In other words, a grayscale snap gets some extra art points.įinally, it’s nice to have options.
Plus, black-and-white images are a nod to some of the most iconic photos ever taken, from Ansel Adams’ imposing landscapes to Dorotea Lange’s soulful portraits. The shadows and silhouettes of landscapes and portraits may look more intense in these tones. Black-and-white images can achieve stark contrast and rich grayscale. Secondly, you can morph the tonalities in a photo as a stylistic choice. The range in hues might be distracting, and converting the image to black-and-white can help tone down the photo and refocus on what’s important: the people in the image. Imagine the perfect family candid shot in which everyone is wearing a different color shirt. Why might we turn a full-color image into a two-tone one? There are several good reasons to opt for black-and-white in editing.įirst, perhaps the color of a photo is flat, washed out, or too busy. With the flexibility and ease the digital age provides, we can take whatever photos we want in the moment and morph them after the fact.
Many photographers take their images in color and then use software to remove the color data from the image before making further edits. Now, however, digital processes make it easy to colorize photos or switch them to black-and-white. Even recreational photographers had to choose between these two film types when picking up rolls for their upcoming vacation. In the past, artists had to decide whether to make an image black and white or color even before shooting it.