Step 3: Open The Gradient Editor

By simply mapping the original colors in the photo to our black-to-white gradient using the Gradient Map adjustment, we've managed to achieve decent results for our black and white conversion. But that was just a starting point. We can try to enhance the results even further by making a few simple changes to the gradient we're using.

Click directly on the gradient preview bar in the Gradient Map dialog box (or Adjustments Panel in CS4) to bring up Photoshop's Gradient Editor. The Gradient Editor contains another gradient preview bar showing us the current gradient colors, but unlike the Gradient Map dialog box, the Gradient Editor allows us to change and/or adjust the colors in the gradient. By making changes to the appearance of the gradient, we can fine-tune the appearance of our black and white image.

Step 4: Adjust The Midtones With The Midpoint Marker

If you look directly below either end of the gradient preview bar, you'll see a color stop. These two color stops control the two main colors that make up our gradient. The one on the far left will appear black, while the one on the far right will be white (since our gradient goes from black on the left to white on the right):

If you click on either of the two color stops (doesn't matter which one), a small Midpoint marker will appear directly below the middle of the gradient:

As you may have guessed from it's name, the Midpoint marker controls where the middle of the gradient falls between the two color stops on either side of it. By default, it's, well, in the middle, but it doesn't have to be. We can move the midpoint of the gradient simply by clicking on the marker and dragging it left or right. If you're familiar with how Photoshop's Levels adjustment works, you know that with a Levels adjustment, we can brighten or darken the midtones in an image (the brightness levels that fall between pure black and pure white) by dragging the midtone slider. We can do the same thing here with the gradient's Midpoint marker. By dragging the marker left or right, we can adjust the brightness of the midtones in our black and white image.

If you click on the Midpoint marker and look down at the Location option at the bottom of the Gradient Editor dialog box, you'll see that it's set to 50%. This means the gradient's midpoint is initially halfway between the color stops on either end of the gradient. I'm going to drag the Midpoint marker a short distance towards the left, which will move the gradient's midpoint closer to black. The Location value decreases as we move the slider closer to black. I'm going to stop when the Location value is set to around 43% since we usually don't have to drag the marker very far to see noticeable changes in the image (you'll need to release your mouse button after dragging the marker for the image in the document window to update with your changes):

Moving the midpoint of the gradient closer to black lightens the midtones, and my image now appears brighter:

Likewise, we can drag the Midpoint marker towards the right, which will move the midpoint of the gradient closer to white. The Location value increases as we move the marker closer to white:

Moving the midpoint of the gradient closer to white darkens the midtones. In my case, the photo now appears too dark, but of course your image will be different, which is why you'll want to keep an eye on your photo in the document window as you drag the Midpoint marker to judge the results:

Next, we'll see how to improve the overall contrast of our black and white image using the black and white color stops!

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