Digital BW, The Print

Hello Roleiman,

>I am looking for workflow suggestions from the scanner out, for 
>conversion of color images to B&W for printing. I could do 
>greyscale scanning of the color image, or conversion in CS2 with 
>channel mixer or calculations or do the adjustments in color and let 
>the printer driver do it ( I understand that Advanced Black and White 
>setting will do it). I am looking to create a B&W file that still 
>lets me use the most of the tools in CS2, especially filters, and a 
>technique that creates a file that will not be automatically 
>"adjusted" by the printer driver. 

>Is that too much to ask? 

Well, maybe <g>.  First, the subject of color-to-BW conversion is not
the primary focus of this forum, but is related and so is briefly
dealt with on occasion.  Second, there are many opinions on the
different techniques and there is simply no way to determine
which is "best".  The techniques range from simple to complex and it
pretty much boils down to how much work and time you're willing to put
into it.

A few years ago I spent a lot of time trying most of the techniques I
could find, and have ended up with three that I use regularly,
depending on the image and what it's for.  The most complex is
actually not terribly involved but gives almost as much bang for the
buck as the heavy artillery, and for me represents the best balance
between workload and control.  I usually use this one for landscapes
on which I would have used a color filter with BW film.

The middle one is merely an abbreviated version of the first.  It
gives a modicum of control and is my most often used approach, for
portraits, interiors and other serious photos that don't require great
menipulation.

These are both described in the article at this link:

  http://www.cjcom.net/articles/digiprn7.htm 


The simplest technique I use is the Grayscale Mode in Photoshop.  It
does a surprisingly good job and I often use it for snapshots and
things that just don't require a lot of manipulation and aren't worth
a lot of fuss and bother.  On several occasions I have fiddled with
the above techniques only to end up liking the Grayscale
Mode version the best.

There are other web sites out there that describe some very elaborate
conversion workflows that give ultimate control that you may want to
explore, and also there are commercial software solutions that do
conversions with tools that simulate the use of filters and film types
(Tri-X with a Yellow filter, etc).  Perhaps other forum members will
have some links to these...

Bottom line is there are a lot of choices and you'll just have to wade
through them and find what suits you best.  You will certainly learn a
lot.  Happy hunting!

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm