Photography is the perfect medium through which millions of creatives express their thoughts, perspectives, and vision. It is a great outlet through which individuals can express and portray what they want. Besides being the hobby of tons of enthusiasts, photography is also the profession of millions of individuals around the globe. According to Adobe, there are numerous types and styles of photography. One of the most popular forms of photography is black and white photography. It is preferred by photographers, editors, and other creative individuals for numerous reasons. Moreover, there are numerous tools that facilitate creatives to turn colored images into black and white ones. This article will cover how interested individuals can turn any photo into a black and white one and why everyone should try their hand at black and white photography at least once in their lives. Let us dive right into it:
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How to Convert Images to Black and White?
Thanks to the popularity of black and white photography, there are numerous tools readily available on all major platforms, including Windows and macOS, using which users can convert any image into a black and white one. Here are some effective tools and methods using which both macOS and Windows users can conveniently convert any image into a black and white one:
macOS:
If you are a Mac user and want to convert image to black and white, one of the most effective ways is to convert it to grayscale. A grayscale picture is one that only features shades of gray. Besides this, you can also use the lab color technique to convert a colorful image to a black and white one. Besides this, you can also adjust the color of an image by using the hue and saturation tool or the gradient mixer. However, if you prefer to get the job done more conveniently, you can use a powerful photo editor like Luminar. It is a macOS-compatible third-party photo editor that facilitates users to create black and white images in a few clicks. Besides Luminar, you can also use Squash, another third-party photo-tweaking application that facilitates users to convert any picture into a black and white image.
Windows:
Similar to macOS, Windows also offers users numerous methods to turn any image into a black and white one. For instance, they can utilize the native print dialog box to choose the color of a picture. By choosing the black and white option, they can conveniently convert any picture into a black and white one. Besides this, there are numerous powerful photo-editing tools available for the platform using which any user can convert a colored image into a black and white one. One fine example of such an application is Adobe Photoshop. The powerful application from Adobe’s creative suite of apps offers numerous tools and functionalities using which users can convert any picture into a black and white one.
Why Everyone Should try their Hand at Black and White Photography:
It Facilitates Improving Composition Skills.
A black and white picture utilizes the basics of composition to create a great image. Therefore, it facilitates photographers and editors to focus more on important aspects of a photo, like its structure, pattern, form, etc., rather than its colors and other negligible aspects. Creating a well-composed black and white picture requires effort and knowledge. A black and white image with exceptional composition builds up mood and depth, which further enhances the picture’s overall quality.
It Allows Creatives to Develop Editing Skills
Almost every photographer uses photo-tweaking software or tools to enhance the appeal of their pictures. Working with black and white pictures pushes creatives to learn and develop new skills. The majority of the photo-editing software offers numerous plugins that editors can use to amp up the appeal of their already-beautiful black and white photography. Using new tools and features facilitates them to experiment with techniques and come up with the best version of their black and white photograph. This significantly helps photographers and editors expand their horizons and add new skills to their skill set.
It Offers a Unique Perspective
When it comes to black and white photography, the focus of the audience shifts from the color of the image to more important details, such as the texture of the image, the shapes featured in it, the lines present in the picture, the amount of light present in the photo, its darkness, etc. What makes a black and white photograph stand out from the rest of the crowd is its unique composition. If your black and white picture does not have top-tier composition, it fails to qualify as a praiseworthy image. A black and white image emphasizes the minutest visual elements and offers the audience a sophisticated and unique perspective.
Millions of people practice black and white photography all around the globe. If you are a photography enthusiast and wish to develop your photography skills, you should consider opting for black and white photography since it offers numerous advantages, as mentioned above.
