Create monochrome filter effects in Photoshop 6

Open the image in Photoshop.
I've used the Photoshop file 'Example.PSD' . You can use any colour image as long as the image type supports layers and editing supports the Channel Mixer.

Duplicate the background layer.

• Menu 'Layer -> New -> Layer via Copy...'
• This displays the dialog shown above
• I've changed the default layer name to 'Monochrome

Your layers list should now look like the one on the right.

We now have a duplicate colour image which we are going to convert into a high contrast Monochrome image.

The 'key' to this part is understanding that the conversion to Monochrome involves a creative decision.

This example uses a 'classic' Monochrome technique, the use of a Red Filter to boost a blue sky.

However, I have also used this technique on a tumbledown woodland house where the creative decision was much harder - this technique could be used to either isolate the house from the background and show the decaying house, or to highlight the foliage and tell a story about the house being reclaimed by the wood.

Apply the Channel Mixer to the 'Monochrome' Layer to create a high contrast Monochrome image.

• Make sure the 'Monochrome' layer is selected
• Menu 'Image -> Adjust -> Channel Mixer...'
• Tick the 'Monochrome' box at the bottom left of the Channel Mixer
• Play with the sliders to get a high contrast black and white image. I used 200% Red, -50% Blue, -50% Green and 0% Constant. A rule of thumb is that all four numbers should add up to 100%

We are using the channel mixer to achieve the same effect as placing a strong Red filter over the camera lens when exposing a black and white film.

The use of negative numbers in the Channel Mixer means that we have created a filter that cannot exist in the real world. Negative numbers are like using Black (subtractive) light as opposed to White (additive)light.

If the Monochrome image is your goal, be careful as negative numbers usually make the Monochrome image look unnatural. However, negative numbers work particularly well in conjunction with the remaining steps of this technique.

These Channel Mixer values mean that the Monochrome image is made up by starting with twice as much red as was in the original image, subtracting some blue and finally subtracting some green. Any colour with more than 50% Red will result in White. Any colour with Blue or Green in it will appear darker than if the Blue or Green was not present.

The image above is for comparison only.

This is the background layer after simple Desaturation (Menu 'Image -> Adjust -> Desaturate').

In comparison with the previous image resulting from the Channel Mixer, note how dull the ground appears and also note the lack of contrast in the the sky over the lighthouse.

Now we use the punchy monochrome layer as a mask for our original colour image.

Change the blending options of the 'Monochrome' layer.

• Make sure the 'Monochrome' layer is selected
• Menu 'Layer -> Layer Style -> Blending Options...'
• Change the 'Blend Mode' to 'Multiply'
• I initially left Opacity at 100%

We can choose any 'flavour' we like between the original and the new extreme filter.

For this image, my preference is for an opacity of 60%

• Make sure the 'Monochrome' layer is selected
• Menu 'Layer -> Layer Style -> Blending Options...'
• Change the 'Opacity' to 60%