Here is a new video tutorial that examines various methods of B&W conversion in Photoshop using two images – first this very colorful shot of a sunflower:

sunflower

Sunflower

I examine a few different methods of converting this image and finally arrive at the following version using a unique “channels-as-layers” approach:

Sunflower B&W

This B&W version uses multiple layers of the individual channels from the original color.

Next, I look at the following image of wind eroded sandstone rock:

The Wave at Coyote Buttes

The Wave at Coyote Buttes

I use a similar method of conversion with multiple layers of channels plus a curve to create a B&W version and then I show how to do a split-tone effect, resulting in this version:

TheWave-CoyoteButtesBWsplit

This very dramatic & stylized version shows a cool-warm split tone effect.

Check out the full video step-by-step below: