Comments on: Tip – Grayscale (no wait Black and White) Shortcut

By: Avi Landman

Avi Landman — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:26:24 +0000

I would appreciate if you could send me the grayscale squares for LightRoom, you described in your comment to a letter about how to convert a color picture to B&W, dated Apr. 3rd 2009.
Thank you,
Avi Landman.

By: Mariusz

Mariusz — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:40:07 +0000

Good Tip…, works also in Library module. After first use you will see “multiple settings” in history, if you press V again “convert to grayscale” appear
Thanks
Mariusz

By: John M.

John M. — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:52:56 +0000

Good Tip…. on a related note though, are there any presets that have a similar effect in Lightroom as some of the filters (like charcoal) have in Photoshop. I’m assuming this type of operation exceeds the scope of LR, but I’ve been surprised by the power of other presets so I figured I would ask.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:47:07 +0000

Handy to have however, I still use Russell Brown’s old tip of two HSW adjustment layers in PhotoShop for B&W conversions. The results are much smoother and you tend to get less blotches screaming look at me if you push the individual colors to far. Actually can’t really push the sliders too far.

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:14:45 +0000

Hi Matt,

As a Photog and Designer I would say this: Grayscale is the term for the color space and differentiates the photo from one in the RGB or CMYK space. These are the terms Photoshop uses so it should be no surprise that LR does the same. Black and White, on the other hand, is just a common term (and not all that accurate, really, when you think about it).

@PWRamirez: photographers balance to an 18% gray card because (to simplify) that exact tone is the mid-point between solid black and completely white. Since that is how a light meter works (not knowing your subjects actual color or brightness) it makes sense to take a reading from an object of known brightness. Test this out sometime with a digital camera by setting your meter on auto and pointing it at an evenly lit black, gray and then white object. They will look remarkably close to the same brightness because the meter is trying to expose to give you a “middle gray” value for the subject.

BTW, the 18% refers to 18% reflectance across the entire spectrum, which makes the color a mid tone plus also truly neutral.

By: Matt Kloskowski

Matt Kloskowski — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:52:58 +0000

Hey folks.
OK, first the smiley face in the posting from Friday, was my sarcastic way of saying DO NOT give the history and theory behind Grayscale (sorry it’s boring – insert smiley face again).
Next, GRAY is an American derivation of the original spelling GREY. Supposedly, the difference is similar to something like organize/organise. Generally it seems that those who write COLOR will write GRAY. Those who write COLOUR will write GREY (but not all the time).

Anyway, since I’m American I do and will continue to spell it GRAY.

Thanks,
Matt K

By: PWRamirez

PWRamirez — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:19:06 +0000

Wow.. I’m surprised no one got it. Either that, or I missed it completely.

Grayscale has to do with the amount of ink laid down in printing a B&W print back in the day. It’s also the reason it’s called monochrome, mono meaning singular as in a “single” ink being used to create a multi-tone image. By extension, it’s also why we use the phrase “Duotone” and “Tritone”… two or three colors to get a multi-tone image. Now to defend us graphic designers: Photographers, why balance with an 18% Gray Card? Isn’t gray simply… well, gray?

Love ya mean it don’t go changin’…

Two things BTW… 1) If you haven’t had a chance to check out David Ziser’s Digital WakeUp Call, do so IMMEDIATELY! Wow… simply wow. And 2) Speaking of Wow, onOne Software has some nice B&W plugins available in their free Developer plugin downloads for Lightroom. When converting to “non-color” images (there, I’m safe, right?) I use one of their presets and then find I have very little tweaking to do at all!

Many thanks… and I hope the humor comes through. You know what a sticky wicket these blogs can be!

By: PhilGP

PhilGP — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:09:33 +0000

I know many B&W photographers who actually call it Mono(chrome) – I personnaly prefer mono to B&W too.
This is no longer shades of grey but the title allso covers tints (i.e. sepia) – much more scope.

This hot-key is good as a fast preview (found it most other packages too) as long as you accept that thats all it is – a preview. You still need a good eye to realise that an image is worth the effort, and then the skills (or actions!) to make it a better image.

By: n r von staden

n r von staden — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 03:31:24 +0000

I don’t know about you but I have over 40 B/W presets in a folder…not many are what I’am looking for….. A good range of tones and contrast…like a good Tri-X neg printed on a 3 Agfa Bavaria 118(Matte) paper…got any new ones …B/W….or grayscale ones?….presets that is

By: Christina

Christina — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:53:39 +0000

I’m sure it has something to do with the fact that a “black & white” photo isn’t just black and white, but a whole range of grays. So I guess gray scale makes a bit more sense. I too want to know: grAy or grEy?