Image editing with Photoshop occurs in different manners. You could decide to change your image’s colour intensity by sharpening it, or you could make your image layer black and white to give it a unique appearance. If you desire the black-and-white effect on your layer, the step-by-step guidelines below provide the means for you to try this feature out and get it right.
Key takeaways
- Ctrl + J will help you create a copy of your original image.
- Change the colour’s intensity by sliding the colour bar to the right or the left.
- In the method of Hue/Saturation, adjust the saturation slide to -100 for the change to take effect.
Step-by-step guide on how to make a layer black and white in Photoshop
Method 1
In this step-by-step guidelines on making a layer black and white, you will encounter two different ways to achieve the said result. Both are efficient at achieving the set goal, but steps-wise, both happen in various manners. Here is the first method to get your layer black and white in Photoshop.
Step 1: Open your image
For starters, you need an image to create a black-and-white layer; for that, move to the left-hand side of your screen menu and click on File. On the drop-down menu opened in front of you, click on Open. You’ll be redirected to your desktop file or any other place where you have stored images. Pick your desired image and get to work.
Step 2: Duplicate your image
To make a layer black and white in Photoshop, the next step is to create a copy of your original image, which serves as your background layer on another layer. To get that, scroll to the Layer feature on the right side of the screen, click on the Background, and press Ctrl + J. Creating another layer named Layer 1, which is a duplicate of the background layer.
Step 3: Work on the image
Proceed to the top left side of your screen on the command ribbons and click on Image. A drop-down menu appears, and you are required to choose Adjustment as your next command. Upon clicking on Adjustments, another drop-down menu appears; select the Black and white option on it.
Step 4: Black and white mode activation
After clicking on the Black and white option of the Adjustment drop-down menu, a dialogue box will pop up for you. In the dialogue box, the original colours found in the image shown in their various intensities create a black-and-white layer. You need to change the colours’ intensity by sliding the colour bar to the right or the left.
For instance, the image shows traces of green colour; to remove or adjust it, slide the bar on the colour to a darker shade of itself. Once you have modified all colours, you can then proceed and click on Ok.
Step 5: The Black and White layer set
With the appropriate adjustments on the color scheme of the image, the result is a top layer i.e., Layer 1 with its image in black and white.
Method 2
On the other hand, if you do not wish to proceed with the instructions above, another way to make a layer black and white in Photoshop is through the following method.
Step 1: Duplicate your image
Your next step is to create a copy of your original image, which serves as your background layer on another layer. To get that, scroll to the Layer feature on the right side of the screen, click on the Background, and press Ctrl + J. The process creates another layer named Layer 1, which is a duplicate of the background layer.
Step 2: Hue and saturation setting
Once your duplicate your layer, press Ctrl + U on your Layer 1, and a dialogue box showing Hue/saturation settings will pop up for you. Please proceed to the Saturation bar and adjust it by adjusting the shown slider in the above image to the left-hand side, shifting it from its original position setting. Afterwards, click on, Ok.
Step 3: Saturation changes effected
As shown above, the saturation change from the original position/point of 0 to the point of -100 has taken effect. Once you note the changes, you can then click OK on the Hue/saturation dialogue box.
Step 4: The black and white image
The moment you click on Ok, the image on your layer changes directly from a colored image to a black and white image, as seen in the above image. As simple as ABC.
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Conclusion
In creating a black and white layer, the above instructions give you a two-method step by step guide on how to make that desired layer monochromatic without drastically changing the image. You have the choice of picking one of the two said methods or stick to any of your preferences to make your work even more charming and more praiseworthy.