.10
This was written as a lesson for a class taught at hat_sorting. Head on over and apply if you like Harry Potter!
REMEMBER. THESE ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN AS "HAVE TO" TIPS. USE THESE TO DEVELOP YOUR OWN GRAPHICS AND TECHNIQUES. :]
Lesson Two: Black and White
There are many many ways to turn an image into black and white - desaturtion, gradient maps, coloring, etc - and once you have an image in black and white there are a thousand different ways to turn it into a pretty pretty graphic.
We'll start with the basics - how to turn a pretty colorful image into a black and white image.
I'll be using this image to demonstrate.
Method One: Desaturation
This is the easiest way, and also tends to be the way most often used. Personally I use this method, but there are countless other methods for you to experiment with.
In Photoshop with your original image open, go to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate (shift + control + U). Now you have a black and white image!
In this method, pixels are merely converted to their black/white/gray equivalent - therefore not much depth is added to the image. Later on I'll explain ways to add contrast/depth to a black and white image.
example image
Method Two: Gradient Map
Many icon makers choose this way of making an image black and white because it initially adds quite a bit of depth to the image. I'll show you.
Set your foreground color to black and your background color to white. (like this).
In Photoshop, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map. (click okay twice)
See? Initially more contrast is available, and it looks a touch better than the Method One did (but soon they'll both look the same!).
example image
Method Three: Coloring
Many icon makers use this simple technique. It's extremely similar to the first method.
Create a new layer above your initial image. Fill it with black (#000000) and set the layer to "color." Instant black and white!
It looks almost exactly the same as the first method, and that's because it nearly is!
example image
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, after your image is black and white, there are multiple ways to give the icon more depth by contrasting the black and white.
For these methods, I'm working with the image that I used Method One from above. However, these will work with either of the other methods.
Method One: Soft Light
After your image is black and white, duplicating your image and setting it to Soft Light will add more depth. However, if doing this adds too much, lower your opacity or try one of the other methods.
example after soft light (note, this has a layer set to soft light, opacity 100%, to show results.)
(It is also possible to use one of the other layer modes {IE, overlay, multiply, screen} to achieve your desired result. It's all about your GOAL.)
Method Two: Using the Contrast/Brightening tool
Many people use this method to add contrast to an image. Under Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast (or Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast, you'll find two adjustment bars.
The brightness bar changes the over all brightness of an image (I know, duh.) It will make the lighter colors lighter or the darker colors darker. Usually I avoid using this tool and find other methods to make my image lighter/darker. But, again, use what works for you.
The contrast bar changes the contrast of the image. Notice if you slide it to the negatives, more neutral grays are seen. This typically isn't the look the maker is going for. Sliding it into the positives however adds contrast to the image.
Be wary of over contrasting. I've shown an example in which I (as a maker) was going for an artsy look and instead came up with an image that has no depth because it's almost entirely black and white. Of course, sometimes the maker wants the image entirely in black and whtite, but that's when your Threshold tool comes in.
The second example I gave is an example of good contrasting. The basic idea behind contrast is that there are bright whites and dark blacks, and a good mix of grays to provide detail and shading.
over-contrast ; good-contrast
Also, remember there are many other ways to add contrast. I'm simply showing you two of the more basic approaches.
This lesson was merely to show you how to achieve a simple black and white image. Other lessons will cover techniques such as single-item coloring.
Lesson One: Introduction and Cropping
Any questions, comments, etc. let me know. :]
REMEMBER. THESE ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN AS "HAVE TO" TIPS. USE THESE TO DEVELOP YOUR OWN GRAPHICS AND TECHNIQUES. :]
Lesson Two: Black and White
There are many many ways to turn an image into black and white - desaturtion, gradient maps, coloring, etc - and once you have an image in black and white there are a thousand different ways to turn it into a pretty pretty graphic.
We'll start with the basics - how to turn a pretty colorful image into a black and white image.
I'll be using this image to demonstrate.
Method One: Desaturation
This is the easiest way, and also tends to be the way most often used. Personally I use this method, but there are countless other methods for you to experiment with.
In Photoshop with your original image open, go to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate (shift + control + U). Now you have a black and white image!
In this method, pixels are merely converted to their black/white/gray equivalent - therefore not much depth is added to the image. Later on I'll explain ways to add contrast/depth to a black and white image.
example image
Method Two: Gradient Map
Many icon makers choose this way of making an image black and white because it initially adds quite a bit of depth to the image. I'll show you.
Set your foreground color to black and your background color to white. (like this).
In Photoshop, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map. (click okay twice)
See? Initially more contrast is available, and it looks a touch better than the Method One did (but soon they'll both look the same!).
example image
Method Three: Coloring
Many icon makers use this simple technique. It's extremely similar to the first method.
Create a new layer above your initial image. Fill it with black (#000000) and set the layer to "color." Instant black and white!
It looks almost exactly the same as the first method, and that's because it nearly is!
example image
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, after your image is black and white, there are multiple ways to give the icon more depth by contrasting the black and white.
For these methods, I'm working with the image that I used Method One from above. However, these will work with either of the other methods.
Method One: Soft Light
After your image is black and white, duplicating your image and setting it to Soft Light will add more depth. However, if doing this adds too much, lower your opacity or try one of the other methods.
example after soft light (note, this has a layer set to soft light, opacity 100%, to show results.)
(It is also possible to use one of the other layer modes {IE, overlay, multiply, screen} to achieve your desired result. It's all about your GOAL.)
Method Two: Using the Contrast/Brightening tool
Many people use this method to add contrast to an image. Under Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast (or Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast, you'll find two adjustment bars.
The brightness bar changes the over all brightness of an image (I know, duh.) It will make the lighter colors lighter or the darker colors darker. Usually I avoid using this tool and find other methods to make my image lighter/darker. But, again, use what works for you.
The contrast bar changes the contrast of the image. Notice if you slide it to the negatives, more neutral grays are seen. This typically isn't the look the maker is going for. Sliding it into the positives however adds contrast to the image.
Be wary of over contrasting. I've shown an example in which I (as a maker) was going for an artsy look and instead came up with an image that has no depth because it's almost entirely black and white. Of course, sometimes the maker wants the image entirely in black and whtite, but that's when your Threshold tool comes in.
The second example I gave is an example of good contrasting. The basic idea behind contrast is that there are bright whites and dark blacks, and a good mix of grays to provide detail and shading.
over-contrast ; good-contrast
Also, remember there are many other ways to add contrast. I'm simply showing you two of the more basic approaches.
This lesson was merely to show you how to achieve a simple black and white image. Other lessons will cover techniques such as single-item coloring.
Lesson One: Introduction and Cropping
Any questions, comments, etc. let me know. :]