Best action/software to transform color to B&W??

[IcarusFree]

I am looking for a good action/software/tutorial to transfrom color to B&W. I am using adobe photoshop 7.0.

Sometimes I have used a standalone program called BWorks by Mediachance (www.mediachance.com). Nice results, but not the dynamism I am looking for. I also have tried several actions and tutorial on PS. The latest is one calle Tri-X (sorry I do not remember the autor) that provides a lor of room for fine-tuning. This action creates a layer adjustment mask for curves, another for saturation and a final one for channel mixing.

I also tried an action by John Akerlund called Johnny's B&W package V2.0. Nice options, I kept the toning and film grain portions.

What are you using to get B&W???

[BytePhoto]

I use the LAB technique to convert to B&W

here's the tuto

[hpklahn]

I.F. - I have used the methods you mentioned. I have had the best results using PS (Elements 2) using Levels to only set the black and white points, then Curves for the mid tones. I then use Channel Mixer in monochrome and move the sliders until I like the effect. I will then check the BW version again with Curves and also with an adjustment layer for Brightness/Contrast.

[hpklahn]

Thanks, RVB Pix. Drat, the Lab Color option is missing from Elements. I did pass it on though. Here is an example of converting with Channel Mixer using a color image from my gallery here. Nice place, BTW!

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/s...php?photo=6127

[BytePhoto]

for hpklahn

Had a look at the B&W conversion and it really works well there. Nice work both for the conversion and the shot. I like the "outlined stems".. against the pebbles. Bravo !

I left a little comment on the coloured version too.

[IcarusFree]

I tried your suggestions on different pics. I apreciatte them . Iam still on the quest for nice vibrant B&W, but your techniques mhelped me a lot to move closer to the goal. I guess there is not a unique technique, but tools one has to use to achive the result on a case by case basis.

Thanks again.

[autumnsky]

A great collection b&w, duotone and tritone actions has been gathered by folks in the Retouching Forum at dpreview. These actions are available for free at -- http://www.geocities.com/kafuensis/ (real cool stuff in David Jasek's folder)

You might also want to download digidaan settings. Once you download them you can access them by selecting 'load' from within your Channel Mixer. http://www.digidaan.nl/indexframedig...xer/index.html

Lastly, have a look at the Russel Brown tutorial (.pdf) He has his own technique for this. http://www.russellbrown.com/tips/pdf/colortoB&W.pdf

-- autumn

[IcarusFree]

Hi Autum. I have been a fan of the DP Retouching Actions fro a while. I agree with you there are wonderful actions there. I am currently using a combination from some of those with the Russell Brown technique as my main technique. However I haven't nailed dwon to the tonal range and dynamism I would like... Gues I will keep trying. Thanks for the tips and congrats on the POTW!!