Photoshop® CS3 Channels and Masks Bible

Chapter 8. Creating the Perfect Monochrome

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Finding the best channel

• Using the Channel Mixer to create a monochrome

• Creating a monochrome in Lab mode

• Desaturating color with calculations

• Creating sepia tones

• Using black and white

When you convert an image from color to black and white, you discard its color information. Simply changing modes doesn't always produce the best results even though the image may look spectacular in color. Sometimes the image's tonality becomes flat and really disappointing.

There are several methods for creating a better grayscale using the source channels; each method has its own particular advantages. If one technique doesn't produce brilliant results you can always try another. All offer more control and produce results that you don't get using direct grayscale conver-sion. This chapter walks you through these methods.

Choosing the Best Channel

This technique is quite easy because it involves looking at the color informa-tion in each channel and determining which one looks the best. Then there's a little bit of layer finagling that makes the image pop.

1. Open a full-color RGB image (see Figure 8.1). Choose Image

   

2. Click the duplicate image. Choose Window

   

   Figure 8.1. The RGB image.

3. Press

4. Press

   Note

   You'll find throughout the book that observing individual ...