Blueprint: Photoshop Actions for Beautiful Black and White Images

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Whether you prefer color photos or black and white imagery, there are times where you may want a classic black and white photo.  Most photographers shoot in color, but it can be as easy as a few clicks in Photoshop to get rich monochromatic images or more subtle film like black and white conversions.  Using this color photograph submitted by Spanki Mills Photography in Texas, I will show you a few options using the MCP Fusion Photoshop action set.

Here is the straight out of camera image of a baby girl:

IMG_4152-before-600x460 Blueprint: Photoshop Actions for Beautiful Black and White Images Blueprints Photoshop Actions Photoshop Tips

Next are three conversions to black and white.  I would love to hear in the comments which you prefer most and why. The step-by-step Blueprint showing exactly what actions were used and at what opacity is listed under each photo.

 


The 1st image is meant to give a look similar to black and white film.  Lower contrast, lighter tones, very classic.

IMG_4152-bw-fusion-reminisce-68-timeless-55 Blueprint: Photoshop Actions for Beautiful Black and White Images Blueprints Photoshop Actions Photoshop Tips

 

This next edit used a deeper conversion with more contrast, but grayer midtones.  This gives the photo a darker overall quality.

IMG_4152-shades-of-gray-diff-direct-shade Blueprint: Photoshop Actions for Beautiful Black and White Images Blueprints Photoshop Actions Photoshop Tips

 

The last photo edit has a warmer toned black and white feel by combining the higher contrast Timeless with the Toned Sunkissed action using Black and White Fusion Mix and Match.

IMG_4152-bw-fusion-timeless-100-sunkissed-57 Blueprint: Photoshop Actions for Beautiful Black and White Images Blueprints Photoshop Actions Photoshop Tips

 

After viewing, what are your thoughts?  Which black and white look speaks to you?  What is the most visually appealing?  Taste is subjective but it is always fun to hear opinions. Thanks for your thoughts.

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  1. Erin Danielle on June 10, 2011 at 9:05 am

    Absolutely love my bag of tricks! Thanks for such great actions!

  2. Priscilla on June 10, 2011 at 9:11 am

    Love the edit. Thanks for posting this and sharing the tricks. I use MCP on every photo I edit too. Love your stuff Jodi!

  3. Kathryn Raugh on June 10, 2011 at 9:31 am

    Gorgeous edit…I wish I wasn’t so scared to take my colors to that point…LOVE ITAnyway you could point me to the action Magical Clarity, I would really like to check that out

    • Nadine Moyer on June 10, 2011 at 12:26 pm

      Magical Clarity is included in Bag of Tricks… love the actions. I use Bag of tricks and Fusion a lot, and the Facebook Fix, too!!!Can’t wait to save up some money to get the rest of the actions!Love your stuff, Jodi!!!

  4. karen eagle on June 10, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    love it! Beautiful! I love MCP! I too use these actions on my prints!

  5. Stef on June 10, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    I love the edits! Not too much or too little… perfect!I haven’t used “Magical Clarity” before and need to check it out.

  6. Vinayak on July 3, 2013 at 3:43 am

    Wonderfull editing i was always wondering the photos u genreally see in any apple products like ipad or mac are so vibrent.. N colourfull so this is the scret of increasing colours in any picture u take. But this is edited in which application

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