b&w conversion techniques for ps elements?

I use ps elements 3 and have not really experimented with b&w conversion. i see that many of you who use photoshop use the channel mixer. alas having no such tool, what do folks do in elements, presumably using the hue and saturation levels with each color?

There is more than one way to render an image black and white. The easiest and my favorite is to desaturate the image. I then use the grey gradient map to further bring out the black and white contrasts and may do this a couple of times. You can also enhance the brightness and contrast of the image as you move along to give you the desired effect. I'm sure there are other PSE users that will comment. You will develop your own workflow as you proceed. Keep clicking. Don
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'Nothing could-be-finah-than-to-be-in-Carolina-in-the-morninnnnnn...'

The easiest way is to convert the image to gray scale. For me, this often gives the best result, too.

I don't like destaurate. It removes the color but it ignores the brightness. This can produce effects that I don't like. Try it for yourself and see what you think. Some people like the result so, if you do, go for it. See this web page for examples of this and you'll see what I mean:
http://www.inkjetart.com/tips/grayscale/

Using the channel mixer allows a lot of control but is a little more complicated. With Photoshop Elements 3, it is possible to add the channel mixer (it doesn't come with it). You can get it from here:
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/photoshop-elements-curves.html

This also will provide other goodies such as curves (but not for individual channels).

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=18081737

if elements has adjustment layers this would work, though having not used elements seriously i cannot comment
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Take the advice from Ron C and download channel mixer and curves. I have elements 3 also and have added those (and many other tools) and use them a lot.

There is also a book available very cheap on Amazon "The hidden powers of elements3" that comes with a cd and lots of add-ons. Great book and will let you do many advanced procedures.
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'This is not that serious.....let's all have fun.'

Gradient map rocks!

Use filters > adjustments > gradient map. Note you dont need to desaturate first. Choose black to white grad, right click to add a grey midtone and adjust gradient.

If you want to darken the sky without using channel mixer, simply use enhance > colour > replace colour, select the sky and darken it. The apply gradient map.

If you HAVE access to the channel mixer, do that first and then apply the map. Careful though, if you are not careful, you will select the channel with all the noise - usually in the sky - and get grain out.
Steve

Don Allison said:

There is more than one way to render an image black and white. The
easiest and my favorite is to desaturate the image. I then use the
grey gradient map to further bring out the black and white
contrasts and may do this a couple of times. You can also enhance
the brightness and contrast of the image as you move along to give
you the desired effect. I'm sure there are other PSE users that
will comment. You will develop your own workflow as you proceed.
Keep clicking. Don
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'Nothing could-be-finah-than-to-be-in-Carolina-in-the-morninnnnnn...'

Click to expand...

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Steve
I spend most of my money on cameras and lenses, the rest I just waste...

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thanks all,

i downloaded the plug-ins from earthbouind light and they seem to work great - i'll post some tries!

Using the search function I found that VirtualPhotographer of http://www.optikvervelabs.com has been mentioned before in this forum. I assume it is ok to mention it once more. It seems to be a great tool for PSE and it is free. So far I only played with it.

When I was stuck at the Dresden airport due to a severe snow storm early March I bought a copy of fotoMAGZIN. It had an interesting article "Fine Art Prints in B&W".

When I find the time I want to print some B&Ws using one of the print services reviewed in fotoMAGAZIN:

http://www.hobbylab.ch . Prints on B&W paper. S Fr 3,50 for a 20x30 cm, 1 EUR ~ 1,5 S Fr.

http://www.polycolor.de . Prints on B&W paper. EUR 5 for a 20x30 cm.

http://www.photocommunity.de . The best of the services using color paper but some color cast was visible. EUR 0,99 for a 20x30 cm.

I guess this is only interesting for Europeans. I'm not aware of any Dutch B&W service but maybe somebody else is.

Take care,

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MJT