© UK 2004 Matthew Page, 9th July 2004
This technique started from the process mentioned on this ePhotozine forum thread.
However, I have applied a number of sneaky Photoshop techniques. Please note, this technique will not work on Photoshop Elements (it does not have the “blend if”), but the original technique will work.
NOTE: Please take the time to at least read the steps. Understanding what the options are will help you when you come to use the supplied actions ;-)
1. Start with a full colour image
2. Add Channel Mixer layer, monochrome, 60%/30%/10% (or use Russell Brown double Hue/Sat layer) to make basic monochrome image.
3. Add a Levels adjustment layer
a. Name = “Brighten”
b. Blend mode = Screen (lightens the image)
c. Blend If, underlying layer = 0/220, 255
i. To access the Blend If functions, right click the layer in the layer’s palette, and select “Blending Options”
ii. Hold the ALT key down and drag the left black triangle to the 220 mark (ALT splits the slider and creates a graduated selection)
4. Add another Levels adjustment layer
a. Name = “Contrast”
b. Blend mode = Overlay (creates contrast)
c. Blend If, underlying layer = 0, 40/255
i. To access the Blend If functions, right click the layer in the layer’s palette, and select “Blending Options”
ii. Hold the ALT key down and drag the left black triangle to the 220 mark (ALT splits the slider and creates a graduated selection)
5. Dodge and Burn image areas
a. For areas that are too dark, paint soft black onto the “Contrast” layer to prevent the contrast from working in those areas (eg eyes). Use a brush set to 10% opacity (in the top tool bar when the brush tool is selected).
b. For areas that are too light, paint soft black onto the “Brighten” layer.
6. Tweak
a. To increase the overall brightness, double click the “Brighten” levels adjustment and move the middle slider to the left.
b. To decrease the overall brightness, either
i. Move the middle level adjustment slider for the “Brighten” layer to the right, or
ii. Reduce the layer opacity for the “Brighten” layer
c. To increase the contrast, double click the “Contrast” levels adjustment and move the middle slider to the right.
d. To decrease the contrast, either
i. Move the middle level adjustment slider for the “Contrast” layer to the left, or
ii. Reduce the layer opacity for the “Contrast” layer
7. Add grain
a. Add a new layer
b. Edit / Fill / 50% gray
c. Filter / Noise / Add Noise…
i. 40%
ii. Gaussian
iii. Monochromatic
d. Filter / Texture / Grain…
i. Intensity = 0
ii. Contrast = 25
iii. Grain type = Enlarged (or Clumped)
e. Layer blend mode = Soft Light (or Overlay)
f. Layer opacity around 30%
8. Add final toning
a. Add Hue/Saturation layer
i. Hue = 40
ii. Saturation = 0
iii. Lightness = 0
iv. Colorize
b. Layer opacity = 50%
The action can be downloaded here: bnw_mattmatic.atn
There are five separate actions. 1a and 1b perform the colour to black & white conversion, using either the Channel Mixer or the Russell Brown technique. This corresponds to step 2 above.
Second is the “develop” stage, which performs steps 3 and 4 above.
Third is the grain action which performs step 7 above.
Finally is the toning action which performs step 8.
Run the steps in order, then go back and tweak until you’re happy with the image.