De-Coloring Your Photos

There’s something about a black-and-white photo on a layout that makes me stop and take a closer look.  Maybe it’s a feeling of nostalgia, as in these layouts I created about my childhood. 

Maybe it’s because they stand out so much when they are placed on a layout with lots of color, as in these layouts by Polly McMillan. 

Or maybe it’s because a black-and-white photo is very striking when paired with a color photo, as in this layout by Nancy Stolz. 

Whatever the reason, it’s quite easy to convert a color photo into black and white, so that you can achieve similar results on your layouts.

There are several ways to accomplish this, and I’m going to show you the ones I use most often.  I use Photoshop Elements 5, but these steps can be adapted for use with other graphics programs. 

One of the simplest ways to “de-color” your photo is as follows:

1. Open your photo in PSE5.
2. Click on Enhance.
3. Click on Convert to Black and White.
4. Choose (optional) effects.
5. Save your black-and-white photo with a new file name.

The second way is just as easy as the first:

1. Open your photo in PSE5.
2. Click on Enhance.
3. Click on Remove Color.
4. Save your black-and-white photo with a new file name.

This is the way I usually convert my photos, because it allows me to leave just a hint of color if I prefer:

1. Click on Enhance.
2. Click on Adjust Hue/Saturation.
3. Bring Hue and Saturation sliders all the way to the left (or not quite all the way if you want to leave a little color).
4. Save your black-and-white photo with a new file name.

The final way to convert your color photo to black and white is to simply remove the color.  It doesn’t get much easier than this:

1. Click on Enhance.
2. Click on Remove Color.
3. Save your black-and-white photo with a new file name.

Black-and-white photos can add dramatic effects to your scrapbook layout.  Converting your color photos is now only a few clicks away, so why not give it a try on your next layout?  I think you’ll like the results.