Convert to Black and White Using Adjustment Layers - Step by Step

Step 1: Open up a color image in Photoshop and make sure you have your layers pallet visible. If it isn’t visible just click on the window menu in Photoshop and select the layers option.



Step 2:Next we will create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer. To create this layer just click the button on the very bottom of the layers pallet that looks like a circle that is half black and half white. Then select the Hue/Saturation item.



Step 3: Now you will see a dialog box with sliders for hue saturation and lightness. For now we will leave all of those settings alone and just click OK. You will notice there is a new layer in the layers pallet.



Step 4: Now create another hue saturation adjustment layer the same way we just did, only this time when the dialog box opens adjust the saturation slider all the way to the left. You should notice your image has turned black and white. Click ok. Now there should be a total of three layers in the layers pallet.



Step 5: Select the middle layer clicking on it once. Now we need to change this middle layer’s blending mode to Color. To change the blending mode look near the top of the layers pallet for a little drop down menu that currently says “normal” click on this menu and select the “color” option near the bottom of the list.



Step 6: Now if you look at the layers pallet you should notice that the middle layer is split into two sections, the one on the right should be a box that is just white. The one on the left looks like a bunch vertical of grey smudges with a slider below it. Double click the left and the hue saturation dialog box should come up. Now comes the magic. Try sliding the hue slider around and watch your image. Your image should be changing. Some parts will get lighter while others will get darker. This works by changing what colors Photoshop sees as black and which is sees as white. When you have found a setting you like for the hue slider, try adjusting the saturation slider to fine tune your image. Click ok when you are happy with your image. The good thing about using adjustment layers is your original image is still sitting untouched under the two adjustment layers and you can get back to it deleting or hiding the other two layers.

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