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WOW #8: Changing a Colored Photo to Black and White

When I discovered that I could change my digital photos from color to black and white in the comfort of my own home, I was thrilled. No, I was ecstatic!! Editing your own photos makes the scrapbooking process faster and more enjoyable in my opinion.

To complete today’s “Work It Out Wednesday” project you will need: Photoshop (or your own photo editing program), a photo that you’d like to change, a printer (if you decide to print out the photo), and photo paper that goes with your printer.

Step 1: Open your photo in the photo editing program (I’m using Photoshop 7).

Step 2: In your Adobe Photoshop menu, select “Image” and then “Adjustments” in the pull down menu, and then “Desaturate.”

Step 3: I like to make more adjustments as just selecting “Desaturate” gives the photo gray tones. So I start by adjusting the curves. Select “Image” and then “Adjustments” again in the pull down menu and “Curves.”

Step 4: Once you’ve selected “Curves” place the cursor on the diagonal line and pull the line upwards (as seen in the image below). Curves brighten and bring light into the image.

Step 5: The image is lighter, but there are still too many gray tones so select “Image” and “Adjustments” again and then “Brightness and Contrast.”

Step 6: Play with the “contrast” slider bar and the “brightness” slider bar to get the gray tones to turn to black and white.

Now you can print the photo and add it to any project. I’ve added it to the digital layout below. Wasn’t that easy?

(Supplies: Paint Splatter from “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” kit by Michelle Underwood for www.twopeasinabucket.com; Staple from “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” kit by Michelle Underwood for www.twopeasinabucket.com; Swayed Paper Stack from “Taylor Made” kit by Paislee Press Digi Kits for www.oscraps.com; Real words from “All You Need Overlays” by Katie Pertiet for www.designerdigitals.com; Today You title from “Everyday Brushes” kit by Ali Edwards for www.designerdigitals.com; Paper 10 from “Taylor Made” kit by Paislee Press for www.oscraps.com; Press Plate No 13 from “Press Plate No 13″ kit by Paislee Press Digi Kits for www.oscraps.com)

(Note: There is more than one way to change a photo from color to black and white. Try a search on your computer for a variety of actions which you can purchase and apply to your photo or for additional methods that fit your photo editing program.)

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