Photoshop Grayscale

Option 1 - How To:

• Start with a coloured image. You can use the one I have used, just right click on it and save it to your desktop then open it in Photoshop and follow the next few steps.

• Go to your layers pallet - if you look at it closely you’ll see three small tabs; Layers, Channels, Paths - Select Channels you’ll see four channel layers, just like mine here - now you can select one of the layers; I selected blue but this was just because it suited the image best, it changes with whatever image you use.

• Once you select blue, green or red you’ll notice a change in your image… so, select the best layer (anything but RGB) and then go to your image and use these shortcuts: CTRL/Command + A (selects the image) - CTRL/Command + C (copies the image) - then click the RGB layer, and then click the layers tab (before you selected “channels”)…

• When you see your normal layers and your image in colour, use this shortcut CTRL/Command + V (this then pastes the blue, grayscale layer onto your colour one). You will now have two layers - a coloured one (the original) and a grayscale one (your new one).

• Merge the layers (CTRL/Command + E) and you’re done.

Option 2 - How To

• This option is very easy… the shortest way is to use this shortcut: Shift + CTRL/Command + U - you’ll see that it automatically grayscales the image. If this shortcut doesn’t work, the longer route is: -> Image -> Adjustments -> Desaturate - and that’s it.

Option 3 - How To

• This other option is also simple, just not as simple as option two.

• Take your coloured image, then go -> Layer -> New Fill Layer -> Solid Color… when the little box appears, just press OK and another one will pop up, the one with lots of colours. Select plain, boring black and then press OK.

• Your image will now be filled with black - to change that, go to your layers pallet locate the Mode (this is the drop down menu, which says “Normal”), alter it to “Color”, make sure you do not select “Color Burn”. “Color” is right at the bottom.

• You’ll now have exactly what I displayed above…

• Aaandddd that’s it. Three rather simple ways to grayscale any coloured image. If you have any questions regarding this Photoshop Grayscale Tutorial then just drop me a line in the below comment box. I’ll happily reply.