My Approach to Monochrome Conversion
With the exception of one or two very specialized cameras, digital cameras capture images in color. Conversion from color to “black & white” occurs in post-processing. In post processing, we can experiment with use of an infinite array of color filters on any image to improve tonal separation. This is very different from film photography where the choice was made a priori through film and filter selection. Classic “black & white” photography required the photographer select from a small set of physical filters placed over the lens at exposure time. For example, the one could select a red filter to darken the blue sky before exposing the negative.
There are numerous techniques for conversion. The very simplest, de-saturating the color image, almost always yields bland results. I use one of three approaches.
- First, Adobe’s Lightroom Classic CC has had a robust set of tools for conversion since release 5; the results are generally pleasing and provide excellent insight to the potential of the image in monochrome. I usually want to do more for my very best images.
- For images where I want finer-grained control over tonal separation of colors or where I want to apply multiple curves, Adobe Photoshop CC’s black & white conversion layer works well along with the usual curves layers. Use of the black & white layer has, in my opinion, largely obsoleted earlier techniques such as use of the channel mixer.
- Thirdly, I also like the capabilities of Siver Efex Pro, especially for images that are or will become highly graphic. Further, Silver Efex control-point technology is a wonderful tool for applying localized changes, avoiding the complexity of and edge issues sometimes associated with Photoshop selections.
A note on Silver Efex. Silver Efex Pro was originally developed by Nik Software of San Diego. In addition to fine monochrome conversion capabilities, Nik developed their control point technology, a wonderful way to make localized optimizations in an image while bypassing the complexity of Photoshop’s selections. Nik was acquired by Google in 2012 which continued to distribute Silver Efex. Silver Efex and much of the suite of Nik-developed products were acquired by DxO of France in 2017. DxO now markets Silver Efex as part of the “Nik Collection 2018 by DxO.”