{"id":31783,"date":"2021-09-06T15:24:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-06T19:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.photoshopessentials.com\/?p=31783"},"modified":"2022-11-04T14:35:39","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T18:35:39","slug":"high-contrast-black-and-white","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.photoshopessentials.com\/newsite\/photo-effects\/high-contrast-black-and-white\/","title":{"rendered":"Instant High Contrast Black and White Photos with Photoshop"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"summary\">\n<p>Learn how to turn your images to high contrast black and white with Photoshop using Gradient Maps, the fastest and easiest way to create great looking B&amp;W photos!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"video3\">\n<div class=\"video-container\">\n    <iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xYZ-zaVLMN4\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"author\">Written by Steve Patterson.<\/div>\n<p>In this tutorial, I show you how to instantly convert photos to high contrast black and white in Photoshop using a Gradient Map. There are lots of ways to convert images to black and white, but Gradient Maps are one of the best because they are so fast and easy to use, and they give us great results. I\u2019ll show you how to use a Gradient Map, and I'll show you the secret to why Gradient Maps give black and white photos such a high contrast look.<\/p>\n<p>Here's an example of what the  final high contrast black and white effect will look like when we're done:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/create-high-contrast-black-white-images-photoshop.jpg\" alt=\"A high contrast black and white photo created in Photoshop\" width=\"632\" height=\"488\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The final result.<\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n.ads-middle { display: inline-block; width:300px; margin:6px 0px 24px 0px; padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 16px; }\n@media (max-width: 515px) { .ads-middle { margin:20px 0; } }\n@media (max-width: 480px) { .ads-middle { margin:20px 0; } }\n<\/style><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- photo effects 300x250 middle responsive -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle ads-middle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"4216941496\"\n     data-ad-format=\"rectangle\"\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n<p>Let's get started!<\/p>\n<p class=\"members-ad-top\"><a href=\"\/print-ready-pdfs\/\">Download all of our Photoshop tutorials as PDFs!<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Which version of Photoshop do I need?<\/h2>\n<p>I used Photoshop 2021 but any recent version will work. <a href=\"https:\/\/adobe.prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100lrdjJ\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adobe.com%2Fproducts%2Fphotoshop.html\" title=\"Get Photoshop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get the latest Photoshop version<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">The document setup<\/h2>\n<p>I\u2019ll use <a href=\"https:\/\/adobe.prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100lrdjJ\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fstock.adobe.com%2Fimages%2Fportrait-of-a-charismatic-sensual-male-in-black-sweater-creativ%2F194840301\" title=\"View image on Adobe Stock\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this image<\/a> from Adobe Stock: <\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/original-photo.jpg\" alt=\"The original photo that will be converted to high contrast black and white in Photoshop.\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The original photo.<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Gradient Maps vs Photoshop's Desaturate command<\/h2>\n<p>To really see how great of a job a Gradient Map can do with black and white photos, we'll compare it to Photoshop's Desaturate command, which is a quick way to remove the color from an image. Both Gradient Maps and the Desaturate command are essentially one-click solutions, so let's see which one is better at converting an image to black and white. <\/p>\n<p>We'll start with the Desaturate command. In the <a href=\"\/basics\/layers\/layers-panel\/\" title=\"Learn more\">Layers panel<\/a>, the image appears on the <a href=\"\/basics\/background-layer-photoshop-cc\/\" title=\"Learn more\">Background layer<\/a>:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/photoshop-layers-panel.png\" alt=\"Photoshop's Layers panel showing the image on the Background layer.\" width=\"295\" height=\"269\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Photoshop's Layers panel.<\/div>\n<p>Make a copy of the Background layer by dragging it down onto the <strong>New Layer<\/strong> icon:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/photoshop-new-layer-icon.png\" alt=\"Making a copy of the Background layer in Photoshop's Layers panel.\" width=\"295\" height=\"181\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Dragging the Background layer onto the New Layer icon.<\/div>\n<p>Then double-click on the copy\u2019s name (<q>Background copy<\/q>):<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/rename-background-copy.png\" alt=\"Double-clicking on the layer's name.\" width=\"295\" height=\"185\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Double-clicking on the name <q>Background copy<\/q>.<\/div>\n<p>And rename it <q><strong>Desaturated<\/strong><\/q>. Press <strong>Enter<\/strong> (Win) \/ <strong>Return<\/strong> (Mac) to accept it:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/layer-renamed-desaturated.png\" alt=\"Renaming the layer Desaturated.\" width=\"295\" height=\"146\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Renaming the layer <q>Desaturated<\/q>.<\/div>\n<p>To remove the color, go up to the <strong>Image<\/strong> menu in the Menu Bar, then to <strong>Adjustments<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/image-adjustments.png\" alt=\"Opening Photoshop's Image menu and choosing Adjustments.\" width=\"217\" height=\"101\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Going to Image &gt; Adjustments.<\/div>\n<p>And choose the <strong>Desaturate<\/strong> command:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/photoshop-desaturate-command.png\" alt=\"Choosing the Desaturate command in Photoshop\" width=\"231\" height=\"94\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Choosing Desaturate.<\/div>\n<p>Photoshop instantly removes the color from the image, leaving it in black and white.<\/p>\n<p>But the result is not very impressive. There are no dark shadows or bright highlights to give it that high contrast look we\u2019d expect from a great black and white image. Instead, it just looks like what it is; an image with no color:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/image-desaturated.jpg\" alt=\"The black and white image using Photoshop's Desaturate command\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The black and white result using the Desaturate command.<\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n.ads-middle { display: inline-block; width:300px; margin:6px 0px 24px 0px; padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 16px; }\n@media (max-width: 515px) { .ads-middle { margin:20px 0; } }\n@media (max-width: 480px) { .ads-middle { margin:20px 0; } }\n<\/style><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- photo effects 300x250 middle responsive -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle ads-middle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"4216941496\"\n     data-ad-format=\"rectangle\"\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">How to convert an image to B&amp;W with a Gradient Map<\/h2>\n<p>So let\u2019s compare the result from the Desaturate command to what we get using a Gradient Map. <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ll turn the <q>Desaturated<\/q> layer off by clicking its <strong>visibility icon<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/layer-visibility-icon.png\" alt=\"Turning off the Desaturated layer by clicking its visibility icon\" width=\"304\" height=\"146\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Turning off the <q>Desaturated<\/q> layer.<\/div>\n<h3>Step 1: Reset Photoshop's Foreground and Background colors<\/h3>\n<p>Before adding the Gradient Map, make sure in the <a href=\"\/basics\/photoshop-tools-toolbar-overview\/\" title=\"Learn more\">toolbar<\/a> that your <strong>Foreground and Background colors<\/strong> are set to their defaults, with <strong>black<\/strong> for the Foreground and <strong>white<\/strong> for the Background:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/photoshop-foreground-background-colors.png\" alt=\"Photoshop's Foreground and Background colors in the toolbar\" width=\"64\" height=\"145\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The Foreground and Background colors.<\/div>\n<p>The reason is that by default, Gradient Maps use a gradient based on our current Foreground and Background colors. So if yours are set to different colors, click the small <strong>Reset icon<\/strong> above them. Or press the letter <strong>D<\/strong> (for Defaults) on your keyboard:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/reset-foreground-background-colors-photoshop.png\" alt=\"Resetting Photoshop's Foreground and Background colors in the toolbar\" width=\"64\" height=\"115\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Clicking the Reset icon.<\/div>\n<h3>Step 2: Add a Gradient Map adjustment layer<\/h3>\n<p>Then to add a Gradient Map, go back to the Layers panel, click the <strong>New Fill or Adjustment Layer<\/strong> icon at the bottom:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/new-fill-adjustment-layer-icon.png\" alt=\"Clicking the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon in Photoshop's Layers panel\" width=\"295\" height=\"170\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Clicking the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon.<\/div>\n<p>And choose a <strong>Gradient Map<\/strong> adjustment layer from the list:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/add-gradient-map-adjustment-layer.png\" alt=\"Adding a Gradient Map adjustment layer above the image\" width=\"183\" height=\"100\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Adding a Gradient Map adjustment layer.<\/div>\n<p>And instantly, we get a much higher contrast black and white image, with darker shadows, brighter highlights and more overall detail:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/gradient-map-black-and-white-image.jpg\" alt=\"A black and white image created in Photoshop using a Gradient Map\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The black and white result using the Gradient Map.<\/div>\n<h3>Comparing the results<\/h3>\n<p>Here\u2019s a side-by-side comparison of the results from the Desaturate command (left) and the Gradient Map (right). <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s easy to see how much better the Gradient Map's black and white version looks, even though it took the same amount of time. The higher contrast makes the image pop, with more detail in his face and hair, and more obvious textures in his sweater and in the background:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/compare-black-white-desaturate-gradient-map.jpg\" alt=\"Comparing the black and white conversions from Photoshop's Desaturate command (left) and the Gradient Map (right)\" width=\"799\" height=\"313\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The Desaturate command (left) and the Gradient Map (right).<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">How Gradient Maps convert images to black and white<\/h2>\n<p>So why are Gradient Maps so good at creating high contrast black and white images? There\u2019s really two reasons. And the first is because of how a Gradient Map works.<\/p>\n<p>I cover Gradient Maps in much more detail in another tutorial where we learn <a href=\"\/photo-editing\/how-to-color-grade-images-in-photoshop-with-gradient-maps\/\" title=\"Learn more\">how to color grade images with Gradient Maps<\/a>. But long story short, a Gradient Map takes the original colors in your image and replaces them with the colors from a gradient.<\/p>\n<p>In the <a href=\"\/basics\/using-the-enhanced-properties-panel-in-photoshop\/\" title=\"Learn more\">Properties panel<\/a>, we see the gradient that the Gradient Map is using. And by default, it\u2019s based on our Foreground and Background colors, which is why we reset them to black and white:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/properties-panel-gradient-map.png\" alt=\"Photoshop's Properties panel showing the gradient being used by the Gradient Map.\" width=\"295\" height=\"172\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Photoshop's Properties panel showing the gradient.<\/div>\n<p>Gradient Maps replace colors based on their brightness. So because we\u2019re using a black to white gradient, the darkest colors in the image are being replaced with black or dark gray. The brightest colors are now white or light gray. And the colors with their brightness somewhere in the middle are now a shade of gray from the midtones in the gradient:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/how-gradient-maps-convert-images-to-black-white.jpg\" alt=\"How Photoshop's Gradient Maps replace colors\" width=\"632\" height=\"488\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The original colors are replaced with the gradient colors based on their brightness.<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Why do Gradient Maps create high contrast images?<\/h2>\n<p>So that\u2019s why the image was converted to black and white when we added the Gradient Map. But why does the black and white image have such high contrast? Why is the contrast with the Gradient Map not only higher than the desaturated version, but even higher than the original image? The reason is because of an option found in the Gradient Editor.<\/p>\n<h3>Opening the Gradient Editor<\/h3>\n<p>To open the Gradient Editor, click on the gradient in the Properties panel:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/click-gradient-properties-panel.png\" alt=\"Clicking the gradient in the Properties panel to open Photoshop's Gradient Editor\" width=\"295\" height=\"173\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Clicking the gradient to open the Gradient Editor.<\/div>\n<h3>The Smoothness option<\/h3>\n<p>And here in the Gradient Editor, just above the gradient preview bar, is an option called <strong>Smoothness<\/strong>. By default, Smoothness is set to <strong>100 percent<\/strong>. And that means that Photoshop is trying to smooth out the transitions between the different colors, or in this case the different shades of gray, in the gradient:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/gradient-smoothness-option-photoshop.png\" alt=\"The Smoothness option set to 100 percent in Photoshop's Gradient Editor\" width=\"470\" height=\"175\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The Smoothness option in the Gradient Editor.<\/div>\n<h3>How Smoothness affects contrast<\/h3>\n<p>But this smoothing feature also increases the contrast in the gradient. It\u2019s enhancing the difference between the dark and light tones by pushing darker tones more towards black and lighter tones closer to white. And this is what\u2019s giving us that higher contrast look with our black and white image.<\/p>\n<p>Watch what happens to the image if we lower the Smoothness down to <strong>0 percent<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/gradient-smoothness-option-0percent.png\" alt=\"Lowering the Smoothness option for the gradient down to 0 percent.\" width=\"470\" height=\"142\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Lowering Smoothness to 0 percent.<\/div>\n<p>Suddenly we lose the higher contrast, and the black and white image now looks more like the result from the Desaturate command:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/black-white-image-smoothness-0.jpg\" alt=\"The black and white image result after lowering the Smoothness option for the gradient down to 0 percent.\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Lowering the Smoothness value lowers the contrast.<\/div>\n<p>But when I increase the Smoothness back to 100 percent, the higher contrast returns:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/black-white-image-smoothness-100.jpg\" alt=\"The high contrast black and white version returns after increasing the gradient Smoothness to 100 percent.\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Increasing the Smoothness value increases the contrast.<\/div>\n<h3>Expanding and contracting the shadows and highlights<\/h3>\n<p>If you pay attention to the gradient preview bar as you increase and decrease the Smoothness value, you can actually see what\u2019s happening to the gradient. Notice how far the darkest shades on the left and the brightest shades on the right are extending inward towards the midtones with Smoothness set to 100 percent:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/gradient-smoothness-100.png\" alt=\"The gradient with Smoothness at 100 percent.\" width=\"470\" height=\"134\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The shadows and highlights expand  with Smoothness at 100 percent.<\/div>\n<p>But as you lower the Smoothness value, those darkest and lightest shades get pushed back toward the edges, which brightens up the midtones. And at 0 percent smoothness, we get a more natural transition from black to white:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/gradient-smoothness-0.png\" alt=\"The gradient with Smoothness at 0 percent.\" width=\"470\" height=\"134\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The shadows and highlights contract with Smoothness at 0 percent.<\/div>\n<p>I\u2019ll leave the Smoothness at 0 percent for the moment and I\u2019ll click OK to close the Gradient Editor. <\/p>\n<p>And here\u2019s a comparison between the desaturated version (left) and the Gradient Map with Smoothness set to 0 percent (right). Now that we\u2019ve taken away the Gradient Map\u2019s advantage by lowering the smoothness, the two versions look more similar, although the Gradient Map still looks a bit better:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/compare-image-gradient-map-smoothness-0.jpg\" alt=\"The high contrast black and white version returns after increasing the gradient Smoothness to 100 percent.\" width=\"804\" height=\"315\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Without smoothing, the Gradient Map (right) looks closer to the desaturated image (left).<\/div>\n<p>Of course, the whole point of using a Gradient Map is to get that high contrast effect. So I\u2019ll reopen the Gradient Editor and I\u2019ll set the Smoothness back to 100 percent. Then I\u2019ll click OK to close it. And now we\u2019re back to the high contrast black and white image:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2021\/high-contrast-black-white-images\/gradient-map-black-and-white-image.jpg\" alt=\"A black and white image created in Photoshop using a Gradient Map\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The result with Smoothness reset to 100 percent.<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Summary<\/h2>\n<p>So I really just wanted to show you why Gradient Maps produce such high contrast black and white photos. But to use a Gradient Map, just make sure your <strong>Foreground and Background colors<\/strong> are set to the defaults. Press <strong>D<\/strong> on your keyboard if they\u2019re not. Then in the Layers panel, click the <strong>New Fill or Adjustment Layer<\/strong> icon, choose <strong>Gradient Map<\/strong>, and you\u2019re done!<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n.ads-bottom { width:300px; padding-top:16px;padding-bottom:16px; }\n<\/style><div align=\"center\"><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- 300x250 page bottom responsive -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle ads-bottom\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"2879809098\"\n     data-ad-format=\"rectangle\"\n\t data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/div>\n<p>And there we have it! But Gradient Maps can do so much more than convert images to black and white. They're also great for adding creative color effects to your images, which you can learn all about in my <a href=\"\/photo-editing\/how-to-color-grade-images-in-photoshop-with-gradient-maps\/\" title=\"Learn more\">Color Grading with Gradient Maps<\/a> tutorial.<\/p>\n<p>If you found this lesson helpful, be sure to check out my other <a href=\"\/photo-effects\/\" title=\"Learn more\">Photo Effects<\/a> and <a href=\"\/photo-editing\/\" title=\"Learn more\">Photo Editing<\/a> tutorials. And don't forget, all of my Photoshop tutorials are now available to <a href=\"\/print-ready-pdfs\/\" title=\"Learn more\">download as PDFs<\/a>!<\/p>\n<div class=\"members-ad\"><a href=\"\/print-ready-pdfs\/\">Get all of our Photoshop tutorials as PDFs!<\/a> Download them today!<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Turn photos to high contrast black and white with Photoshop using Gradient Maps, the fastest and easiest way to create great looking b&#038;w images.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31784,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31783","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-photo-effects"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ 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