B&W CONVERSION

Here's a tutorial for converting your color images to Black & White. While desaturated is a super easy way to turn a photo into B&W, I prefer using Lab Color Mode because the initial conversion already has more contrast than desaturated.

• First, apply any adjustments you may want to do beforehand. For example, sharpen or color correction (performed in this photo).
• Flatten image and then go IMAGE>MODE>LAB COLOR.
• Select the Channels tab in the Layers Palette.
• Click on the "Lightness" channel. CTRL+A to select the entire picture then press CTRL+C to copy the Lightness channel.
• Go IMAGE>MODE>RGB COLOR to return to the RGB mode.
• Now go back to your channels tab and under each channel (Red, Green, Blue), CTRL+V to paste the original Lightness channel you copied in Lab Mode.
  
• Once complete, go back to the layers tab.
• To adjust the contrast to your liking. I use the Levels Adjustment, which is located under "Create New Fill or Adjustment Layer".

*Using the Create New Fill or Adjustment Layer is best when editing photos instead of using IMAGE>ADJUSTMENTS section. This is because you are not altering the original photo and will always have that original layer.

Click here for other pictures that have been converted to B&W!

QUICK COLOR CORRECTION TUTORIAL

Here's a quick tutorial for color correction using the Levels Adjustment Layer.

(1) In Photoshop, open the photo that needs color correction.

(2) On your layers palette, select "Create New Fill or Adjustment Layer" (the black & white circle).

(3) Select Levels.

(4) Under each channel, move the sliders on the left and right to the points where the histogram starts.

Click on the image above for screenshots of this tutorial!

ADDING TEXTURES TO YOUR PHOTOS IN PHOTOSHOP

Adding a texture in Photoshop is quite easy and adds a great look to your photos. There are many websites that allow you to use their textures for free (you may have to credit them) or you can create your own texture. Please find below for a short tutorial on how to add textures to your photos!

• Open the photo you would like to add the texture to in Photoshop.
• If you would like like to add color pop or any other PS treatments, do so now. In the photos to the left, I have given both photos a boost in color. [I will create a tutorial at a later date on how to create a Color Pop Action!]
• So now you want to find a texture that you can use for your photos. *Always try various textures since the results will vary.
• Open that texture in Photoshop (if saved) or if you copied from a website, paste over your current photo. If the texture is not the same size as your photo, go to: Edit>Free Transform. Your texture layer will now have points on it in which you can drag and resize the texture. To exit from "Free Transform", click on another tool from the toolbar. You will receive the following pop-up, "Apply the transformation?" Click Apply.
  
• Go to your blending mode in your layers and go thru the blending modes to achieve the desired look. In the two examples provided, I used Overlay at 100%.
  
• Now make sure your texture layer is highlighted and "Add Layer Mask" in your layers palette (see image). A layer mask will be added to the texture layer.
• Select the layer mask. Typically it is white but sometimes black. Select a soft brush and the brush color should be opposite of what you are seeing as the layer mask. So for example, if your layer mask is white, select black as your foreground color. If your layer mask is black, select white as your foreground color.
• With your soft brush, paint over the areas you don't want the texture on (ie: faces, arms, etc.).

Viola! You should now have a great textured photograph!
**Click above image for large view.**

Click Here for More Texture Results