Digital BW, The Print

I recently read an article from,John Paul Caponigro and his use of 
using the channels in photoshop.  He targeted each channel as 
seperate layers and reduced there opacitiy and added a forth 
lightness channel. He than created layer masks so he could apply 
curves to each one.  I've been just turning the image to 
monochromatic and adjusting the sliders each at a time, getting the 
look I wanted.  Then I would use curves.  Is his way superior? or am 
I totally of track here?  Jeff