Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Converting images to black and white has traditionally been a pretty complicated process. If
you do a Google search, you'll find dozens of recipes for doing so. Fortunately for you, Ele-
ments makes it easy to perform this task, and even to do sophisticated tweaking of the differ-
ent color channels. Just follow these steps:
1.
Open a photo and make sure it's ready to convert
.
If the file has multiple layers, either flatten it by choosing Layer→Flatten Image (see
Flattening an Image
)
or make sure the layer you want to convert is active by clicking
it in the Layers panel.
To convert only part of the photo, either select the area you want to make black and
white or create a duplicate layer (Ctrl+J/
⌘
-J) and then, after you do the conversion,
use a layer mask to control which areas are black and white (see
Layer Masks
).
NOTE
As always, it's best to perform this technique on a copy of your photo, not the ori-
ginal.
2.
Go to Enhance
→
“Convert to Black and White,” or press Alt+Ctrl+B/Option-
⌘
-B
.
The “Convert to Black and White” dialog box appears. It includes helpful before and
after previews of the image, and the controls shown in
Figure 10-1
.
