B&W conversions - creating your own Photoshop action

[onefivenine]

I've been playing about with that Cinque Torri panorama and various ways of creating B&W conversions.

I came across the Gorman-Holbert method, which I think produces great results.

You end up with a solid colour layer which you can then manipulate to create whatever colour toning effect you wish

eg.

Then I decided to brave it and record my own Photoshop Action in PS2 (pressed 'Alt+F9'), clicked the 'new action' button in the actions palette, and followed the instructions in the Gorman-Holbert page. (I missed out their final step, 50px high pass filter, as I'd already sharpended this photo).

Once finished, clicked the 'stop recording' button, and hey presto I now have a B&W conversion action which I can re-use, and change the colour toning anytime a want by double-clicking on the colour box in the colour fill layer.

I'm quite chuffed really!

I've attached my action for anyone who wants to help themselves to it... DavesB&WAction.zip

And here is one of the end results:-

Cheers!
Dave

[Paranormalist]

Sounds like the Rob Carr technique because with it you also end up with a solid colour layer which you can manipulate to give richer toned B&W's.

[pixelpixel]

I done this once before and ended up with the following:

[Paranormalist]

That's a great looking image, pixel. I like the 'stains' and colour.

[pixelpixel]

Originally Posted by Paranormalist

That's a great looking image, pixel. I like the 'stains' and colour.

I will get you the link for the brush set later

[onefivenine]

Very nice effect pixel! Like the stains.

Do you think there'd be any point or much interest in creating a thread for forum members to share home-brewed photoshop actions? ... or is there one already?!

[pixelpixel]

Originally Posted by onefivenine

Very nice effect pixel! Like the stains.

Do you think there'd be any point or much interest in creating a thread for forum members to share home-brewed photoshop actions? ... or is there one already?!

No that would be very good The brushes can be found here

[Holowlegs]

Hi ya

Had a go with your action onefivenine


This is what I got

Cheers Holo

[salubrious_k]

Yes I've been using this desaturation method a fair bit over the last month or so, it can create some great results, especially when the luminance of different colour areas of the image is quite similar (and a normal desaturation results in a rather flat photo).

Thanks for the action, I'll download it now and see if I prefer it to the ones I've recorded

[onefivenine]

Originally Posted by Holowlegs

Hi ya

Had a go with your action onefivenine


This is what I got

[CENTER]

V
Cheers Holo

I quite like that holo!

If you double-click on the coloured box in the solid colour layer it will open up and you can then select other colours to play with!