How to Make Image Black and White in Photoshop

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How to Make Image Black and White in Photoshop

Last Updated: 2024. 09. 03

Black and white photos possess a timeless allure that continues to captivate audiences, even in a world full of vibrant colors. The is because the absence of stark contrasts and vibrant tones in black and white images evokes a sense of nostalgia, melancholy, and longing, conveying emotions in a way that color images often cannot.

If you have an image and you'd like to convert it to black and white, you're in luck. Photoshop offers several methods to achieve this transformation. In this article, we'll explore ten different techniques for turning your images into black-and-white works of art. Let's dive into the process of how to make image black and white in Photoshop.

Ten Methods to Convert an Image to Black and White in Photoshop

#1 Desaturate Adjustment #2 Black & White Adjustment #3 Channels Method #4 Hue/Saturation Adjustment #5 Gradient Map #6 Grayscale Mode #7 Channel Mixer #8 Camera Raw Filter #9 Lab Color Mode #10 Selective Color Adjustment Layer

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Ten Methods to Convert an Image to Black and White in Photoshop

#1 Desaturate Adjustment

To convert an image to black and white using the Desaturate Adjustment in Photoshop, follow these steps:

Step 1

Open the image in Photoshop.

Step 2

Navigate to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate from the top menu.

Step 3

This will remove all colors from the image, converting it to black and white. You can then save the black-and-white image to your computer.

How to Make Image Black and White in Photoshop Using Desaturate Adjustment

#2 Black & White Adjustment

To use the Black & White Adjustment in Photoshop, follow these steps:

Step 1

Launch Photoshop and open the image you want to convert.

Step 2

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Black & White.

Step 3

In the Black & White adjustment panel, adjust the sliders to fine-tune the conversion according to your preference.

Step 4

Once satisfied, click OK to apply the changes and save the image.

How to Make Image Black and White in Photoshop Using Black & White Adjustment

#3 Channels Method

The Channels method is a popular technique to create a black-and-white image:

Step 1

After opening your image in Photoshop, go to the Channels panel (next to the Layers panel).

Step 2

Select the Green channel, press Ctrl+A to select the entire channel, and then press Ctrl+C to copy it.

Step 3

Switch back to the RGB channel, go to the Layers panel, and create a new layer.

Step 4

Press Ctrl+V to paste the copied Green channel onto the new layer, creating a black-and-white version of your image that emphasizes specific tones.

Step 5

Save your image when satisfied with the result.

How to Make Image Black and White in Photoshop Using Channels Method

#4 Hue/Saturation Adjustment

To convert an image to black and white using the Hue/Saturation Adjustment tool:

Step 1

Open your image in Photoshop.

Step 2

Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation.

Step 3

Set Hue to 0, Saturation to -100, and Lightness to 0.

Step 4

Your image will now be in black and white. Click OK to apply the changes and save the image.

How to Make Image Black and White in Photoshop Using Hue/Saturation Adjustment

#5 Gradient Map

Using the Gradient Map tool is another method to create a black-and-white image:

Step 1

Navigate to Image > Adjustments > Gradient Map.

Step 2

In the Gradient Map panel, set the gradient to transition from black to white.

Step 3

Adjust the position of the sliders in the gradient editor to achieve the desired black-and-white effect.

Step 4

Experiment with the sliders until you're satisfied with the result, then save the image.

How to Make Image Black and White in Photoshop Using Gradient Map

#6 Grayscale Mode

To quickly convert an image to black and white using Grayscale Mode:

Step 1

Go to Image > Mode > Grayscale.

Step 2

Photoshop will ask if you want to discard the color information. Click Discard.

Step 3

Your image will now be in black and white. Save it if no further edits are needed.

How to Make Image Black and White in Photoshop Using Grayscale Mode

#7 Channel Mixer

Convert an image to black and white using the Channel Mixer by following these steps:

Step 1

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Channel Mixer.

Step 2

In the Channel Mixer dialog box, check the Monochrome option.

Step 3

Adjust the sliders if needed, then click OK to apply the changes and save the image.

How to Make Image Black and White in Photoshop Using Channel Mixer

#8 Camera Raw Filter

To convert an image to black and white using the Camera Raw Filter:

Step 1

Convert your image layer to a Smart Object by right-clicking the layer and selecting Convert to Smart Object.

Step 2

Go to Filter > Camera Raw Filter.

Step 3

In the Basic panel, drag the Saturation slider to -100 or adjust the Black & White Mix under the B&W tab.

How to Make Image Black and White in Photoshop Using Camera Raw Filter

#9 Lab Color Mode

To use Lab Color Mode to create a black-and-white image:

Step 1

Go to Image > Mode > Lab Color.

Step 2

In the Channels panel, select the Lightness channel.

Step 3

Go back to Image > Mode > Grayscale to convert the Lightness channel to black and white.

How to Make Image Black and White in Photoshop Using Lab Color Mode

#10 Selective Color Adjustment Layer

To convert an image to black and white using a Selective Color Adjustment Layer:

Step 1

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Selective Color.

Step 2

Adjust the colors in the Neutrals, Blacks, and Whites sliders to achieve the desired black-and-white effect.

Step 3

Save the image once you're satisfied with the result.

How to Make Image Black and White in Photoshop Using Selective Color Adjustment Layer

The Bottom Line

Well, that’s all the ten methods to make image black and white in Photoshop. However, If you're looking for a simpler, no-software-download option, consider using FlexClip to give your color image a black-and-white effect.

Bella /

Full of vitality, curiosity and hope, Bella is an energetic copywriter at FlexClip. She mainly concentrates on video creation and troublesome issues related to video editing, providing users with practical solutions and tricks. Personally, Bella loves novels, sci-fi movies, cooking and travel. And, she believes that all her life is the best arrangement from God.