Black and White Conversion

In digital SLR photography full color images can be converted to black and white fairly easily and with pleasing results, especially if shot in RAW. At times the exposure would be different for black and white than color, but this is yet another reason to shoot in RAW. Most if not all of the conversion can take place in the RAW converter. I use the Adobe RAW converter right in Bridge or Photoshop.

Here is an image I took in Hawaii that has vibrant color and a wide tonal range.

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Waves Breaking

The RAW settings for this shot are fairly straightforward:

Color RAW Settings

I could simply convert this image to grayscale, but that usually produces flat and uninteresting results. Here is the above image simply converted:

Simple Grayscale Conversion

Look at the difference, though, when the RAW converter is used to convert to black and white in a controlled manner:

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Waves Breaking, Black and White

Here are the RAW settings:

Black and White RAW Settings

Black and White RAW Grayscale Settings

Now I know that somebody out there is going to say, "I like the simple conversion better." Well, that is wonderful, but with the simple conversion you had better like it because that is all you can get. With a controlled conversion in the RAW converter you have complete control.

So the next time you are out shooting, try to look for tones instead of color and shoot for black and white. The results are rewarding.