Unleash the Magic: Transform Your Photos with High Contrast Black and White in Photoshop Elements

Photos have the power to evoke emotions, tell stories, and capture precious memories. But have you ever wondered how some photographers manage to create stunning black and white images that stand out from the crowd? The secret lies in enhancing contrast, highlighting details, and embracing the timeless charm of monochrome photography. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of converting your photos into high contrast black and white masterpieces using Photoshop Elements.

The Power of Black and White Photography

Black and white photography has a way of stripping away distractions and focusing solely on the essence of a subject. By removing colors, we are forced to pay attention to the composition, tone, texture, and the interplay of light and shadows. This transformative effect can breathe new life into your photos and elevate them to a whole new level of artistry.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Converting to High Contrast Black and White

Let's dive into the world of black and white photography conversion in Photoshop Elements. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve that captivating high contrast effect:

High Contrast Black & White Photo Conversion Photoshop Elements (Photoshop Elements Made Easy by Wendi E M Scarth Book 50)

by omimi(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2255 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	8 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Step 1: Open Your Image in Photoshop Elements

Start by launching Photoshop Elements and opening the image you want to convert. Go to the "File" menu, click "Open," and locate your image file on your computer.

Step 2: Duplicate the Background Layer

Before making any changes, it's essential to duplicate the background layer. This preserves the original image, allowing you to revert back if needed. Right-click on the background layer and select "Duplicate Layer."

Step 3: Convert to Black and White

In order to convert your image to black and white, go to the "Enhance" menu and choose "Convert to Black and White." This opens the "Convert to Black and White" dialog box, where you can experiment with various preset filters or adjust the sliders to fine-tune the conversion.

Step 4: Adjust Contrast and Tone

To achieve high contrast, head to the "Enhance" menu again, and this time select "Adjust Lighting" and "Levels." The "Levels" adjustment allows you to move the sliders to enhance the dynamic range and adjust the highlights, midtones, and shadows. Experiment until you achieve the desired contrast and tone.

Step 5: Enhance Details with Sharpening

An essential step in black and white photography is sharpening the image to enhance details. Use the "Sharpen" tool located in the toolbox on the left side of your screen. Adjust the brush size and strength, then click and drag over the areas of your image that you want to emphasize.

Step 6: Dodge and Burn for Subtle Effects

To add a touch of drama or accentuate specific areas, utilize the "Dodge" and "Burn" tools. The "Dodge" tool lightens areas, while the "Burn" tool darkens them. Adjust the size and strength of the brush, then carefully apply these tools to create subtle but impactful effects.

Step 7: Save Your Masterpiece

Once you're satisfied with the final result, it's time to save your high contrast black and white photo. Go to the "File" menu and click "Save As." Choose a location on your computer, name your file, select the file format (JPEG or TIFF is recommended),and click "Save."

With the power of Photoshop Elements, you can take your photos on a journey from color to captivating high contrast black and white masterpieces. By following this step-by-step tutorial, you'll be able to transform your images into timeless pieces of art that showcase the true beauty of your subjects. So go ahead, unleash your creativity and explore the magic of high contrast black and white photography!

High Contrast Black & White Photo Conversion Photoshop Elements (Photoshop Elements Made Easy by Wendi E M Scarth Book 50)

by omimi(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2255 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	8 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

This tutorial demonstrates how to produce a high contrast black & white photo conversion - utilising Adobe Photoshop Elements versions 7, 8 & 9. (Newer Photoshop Elements versions are slightly different, however, with a little knowledge my tutorials can still be utilised). This is a step by step tutorial and is suitable for Intermediate students - or confident beginners. It includes many informative screen captures that speed up the learning process. This is part of a series of over 300 tutorials that I have written for Photoshop Elements. Each of my Photoshop Elements tutorials is step by step and packed with helpful screen captures - so you can follow my instructions every step of the way without ever getting lost.

To work along, you are welcome to download the image I am working with below. Right-click the link then select 'Open Link'.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j69an1wk2rr7hj0/High%20Contrast%20Black%20%26%20White%20Elements.jpg?dl=0

I have designed these tutorials so you can begin to use the tools in Photoshop Elements to immediately get brilliant results - and they can be read on your Kindle, iPad, PC, Mac, Smart Phone and Tablet.

Many of my students have emailed me over the years to say my Photoshop Elements tutorials are the best they have read and the easiest to follow; in fact, several Universities currently utilise my Photoshop Elements tutorials teaching their students on campus. Normally I sell my 300+ Photoshop Elements tutorials as a bundle, however, I have made these tutorials available for those of you who maybe just want to use a specific technique and who don't wish to purchase my full collection.

http://www.paintshopprotutorials.co.uk/html/photoshop_elements_tutorials.html

Have fun!

Wendi E M Scarth.