You are here:About>Computing & Technology>Desktop Publishing> Do Page Layout & DTP> Create, Edit, Use Graphics> Edit / Modify Graphics> Convert an RGB Photo to Grayscale
About.comDesktop Publishing
Newsletters & RSSEmail to a friendSubmit to Digg
Creating and Printing Black and White Images

More Ways to Change Color to Gray in PhotoshopScanning Line Art (B/W,Grayscale,Halftones)Basics of Halftones

Working with Color and B&W Photos

Combining Color and B&W Photo ElementsCorrecting Color and Tone with PhotoshopCorrecting Color and Tone in Paint Shop Pro

Why Use Black and White Photos?

Experiment With Black and WhiteTransforming Color Pictures to Black and White

The Many Faces of Black & White

From Jacci Howard Bear,
Your Guide to Desktop Publishing.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Convert to Grayscale

Convert to Grayscale
Convert to Grayscale Then Back to RGB
Image by Jacci Howard Bear
One of the simplest and often most effective ways to get the color out of a color photo is to convert it to Grayscale -- a common option in image editing software. When converting an RGB color image to grayscale all the color is replaced with shades of gray. The image is no longer in RGB.

Inkjet printers like RGB so you can sometimes achieve better print results if you convert the image back to RGB after going grayscale - it will still be shades of gray.

Corel Photo-Paint: Image > Convert to... > Grayscale (8-bit)
Adobe Photoshop: Image > Mode > Grayscale
Adobe Photoshop Elements: Image > Mode > Grayscale (say OK when asked "Discard Color Information?")
Jasc Paint Shop Pro: Colors > Grey Scale

  1. Grayscale vs. Line Art
  2. RGB Images
  3. Convert to Grayscale
  4. Desaturation (Remove Colors)
  5. Grayscale vs. Desaturation and Other Conversion Methods
  6. Print Grayscale Images as Black and White Halftones

<< Previous | Next >>
Las Vegas on a Budget

Find a BargainHotel DealsCheap EatsFree AttractionsEntertainment for Less

 All Topics | Email Article | | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.