Black and White image in Photoshop

Let's have look at two ways of how to turn your picture black and white.

Open a picture in Photoshop.

File -> Open or press Ctrl+O for a keyboard shortcut.

Let's open the layer window in case it's not opened already.

Click Window and Layers or pres F7 for a keyboard shorcut.

In the Layers window (usually it's on the right side), right click the Background and click Duplicate layer.

Now click Image, Adjustments and Desaturate.

That's one way to turn your pictures black&white.

Let's see the another way.

Let's duplicate the background layer once more.

Right click the Background and click Duplicate layer.

Uncheck the Background copy layer. (see picture)

Click Image, Adjustments and Black & White.

The Black & White control panel shows up.

Now just play with the settings, it really depends of a picture and what kind of a look you want to achieve.

You can also try the Preset settings. Click the Preset box and choose the preset you like.

When you're satisfied with your black & white picture, click OK.

Don't forget to save the picture.

I like the second one better that's why I left the "eye" next to Background copy 2 checked and unchecked next to background copy. (see picture)

Click File and Save or press Ctrl+S for a keyboard shortcut.

Chose the file type you want to save in.

I chose JPEG.

In case of a warning window appears, just click OK.

Set the JPEG image quality and click OK.

I have set it to Maximum quality.

There are some other ways to achieve black & white but I find this quite suitable for beginners or for a quick edit, for doesn't take much time, to turn the pictures black & white.