Photoshop Elements and CS
Converting to Black and White

Getting Started

1. Open "DollysHouse.jpg"
2. Create a duplicate layer

Change to Black and White with Gradient Adjustment Layer

1. Create a gradient map adjustment layer.
2. Select the black and white gradient -- the third choice in the drop down menu.
3. This will convert the image to black and white.  However, it can be improved.

Create a Luminosity Levels Adjustment Layer

1. Create a levels adjustement layer
2. In the New Layer dialogue box in the Mode drop down menu choose "luminosity", the bottom choice and click OK.  This will allow for the change in lighting (luminosity) without changing the colors away from B&W.
   
3. In the channel drop down menu choose "Red"
4. Adjust the slider bars until you get the best image.  In this example you will have to lighten the image.
5. In the channel drop down menu choose "Green".
6. Again adjust the slider bars until you get the best image.  In this example you will have to lighten the image.
7. In the channel drop down menu choose "Blue".
8. Again adjust the slider bars until you get the best image.  In this example you will have to darken the image a little.  In many images it is the blue choice that makes the most difference, but not in this one.
9. What you have done is to mix the colors that were in the original image to make the best black and white image.

Change Dolly Back to Color

1. Make the gradient layer active.
2. Make the foreground color black
3. Choose the brush tool
4. Paint over Dolly.  This will remove the effect of the gradient tool over Dolly and she will return to color.