Learn how to convert a color image to an elegant black and white picture using individual color levels and the tone curve in Lightroom. Discover the process of adjusting the tone curve, adding a vignette, and using targeted adjustment tools to enhance specific parts of your image.
Key Insights
- The tutorial covers three main topics: converting images to black & white, adjusting the tone curve, and adding a vignette.
- The process of converting to black & white involves altering the individual color levels and tone curve of an image.
- The tutorial provides a detailed exercise of converting a color image of a bridge into black & white, focusing on specific adjustments for areas such as the rocks and the bridge's dark underside.
- Contrast can be increased by adjusting the photo's tone curve, forming an 'S' curve on the graph.
- To enhance a black & white image further, a vignette can be added through the 'Effects' panel.
- The tutorial provides visual aids, including a 'Before & After' comparison, to illustrate the effectiveness and impact of the demonstrated techniques.
This exercise is excerpted from Noble Desktop’s past Lightroom training materials and is compatible with Lightroom updates through 2020. To learn current skills in Lightroom, check out our Photo Retouching Certificate and graphic design classes in NYC and live online.
Lightroom Workflow
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Import & Organize
Import to a dated folder, add keywords as you go.
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Cull
Flag picks and rejects — edit only the keepers.
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Apply Global Adjustments
Basic panel: exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, white balance.
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Local & Export
Brushes and gradient masks for spot work, then export at target size.
Topics Covered in This Lightroom Tutorial:
Converting to Black & White, Adjusting the T1Curve, Adding a Vignette
Exercise Preview
Exercise Overview
In this exercise, you’ll learn how to convert a color image to a black & white image by altering the individual color levels and tone curve.
Converting to Black & White
- If you have not imported the photos that were imported in Exercise 2E:
- Go into the Library module.
- At the bottom left of the screen, click Import.
- In the dialog box that appears, on the left under Source, navigate to Desktop > Class Files > Lightroom Class and select the Develop folder.
- At the top, above the photos, make sure Add is selected (highlighted).
- On the bottom right, click Import.
In the Library module, in the Catalog panel, click on All Photographs.
Click on the bridge photo (20120714_untitled_204).
Press D to go into the Develop module.
Expand the HSL / Color / B & W panel on the right if it isn’t already expanded.
Click on B & W to convert this image to black & white.
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Although we’re looking at a black & white image, the colors are still present, represented by the various shades of gray. Let’s darken and lighten the “colors” one by one.
At the top-left corner of the panel, click the Targeted Adjustment tool
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Near the bottom-right of the photo, click on the rocks.
Let’s darken them. Press the Down Arrow key about 6−8 times.
Click on the bridge’s dark underside.
Let’s darken it too. Press the Down Arrow key about 10 times.
Click the Switch
off and on a few times to check out your work, leaving it on before proceeding to the next step.
Adjusting a B&W Photo’s T1Curve
Let’s increase contrast by adjusting the photo’s T1Curve.
Above the HSL / Color / B & W panel, expand the T1Curve panel.
- On the graph, form an S curve to your liking:
- Drag the top-right part of the line up
- Drag the bottom-left part down
Click the Switch
Adding a Vignette to B&W Photos
On the right, expand the Effects panel.
Under Post-Crop Vignetting, drag the Amount slider to the left to − 55.
Zoom in once on the bird.
In the Effects panel under Grain, drag the Amount slider to 55.
Zoom out.
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At the bottom of the screen, click the Before & After icon
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As you can see, converting a color photo into an elegant black & white image is quick and looks impressive!
