Method:  High Contrast B/W from Color in 3 Simple Steps

 

Goal: Create stunning black and white from your color photograph. 

 

Time Start to Finish: 5-10 minutes.

 

My tip here lets you get compelling and dramatic BW images in no time.

 

Copyright © Jim Austin

 
 

High Contrast B/W from Color Tutorial

 

1. START: FILL IN THE LIGHT   

Start with an RGB image. 

In LR3, click the Develop Module. 

Find your Fill Light slider.  

Slide it to about +60. The results will not look good , yet.

 

2. BOOST THE BLACKS
 

Locate the Black slider.

Slide it to increase its strength, in the positive direction,  until your photograph starts to have good looking tones and contrast.

Play with the Blacks slider and judge how to set it for your photograph. 

Note: For this dolphin picture example, I set the Blacks slider to 30.  This black slider adjustment may clip the black tones. You can click on the LR3 'Show Clipping' feature ( type J on your keyboard) to see the clipping.  

 

3. CONVERT TO B/W 

In LR3, next to Treatment , you’ll see Color and Black & White.

Click Black and White--it’s under the word Basic.

Find the graduated filter--it's the 4th tool over, right under the Histogram. 
Set it to a negative number.  In this case, I used -100. 

From bottom to top, drag the graduated filter over your picture, to enhance contrast and bring back the detail.  Note: Other pictures may benefit from a top to bottom graduated filter.

 

 

Copyright © Jim Austin
 

 

FINISH:  Export and enjoy your high contrast black and white image.

 

 

 

Go to The Brush Blur Tutorial...