Digital BW, The Print

On Oct 21, 2006, at 3:08 AM, jlk4410 wrote:

> AND Photokit only works in RGB!
> Convert to RGB? Then back again for output? What's the workflow  
> look like?

I use PhotoKit Sharpener so I will help with your questions.

When I do B+W I leave the final image in RGB so I can add toning if I  
want to which works well for me. My workflow is as follows:

1. Get the original color image to look the way I want it to.
2. Do the capture sharpening.
3. Do the optional creative sharpening (extra sharpening added to  
make the image look better).
4. Duplicate and flatten duplicate image.
5. Convert duplicate image to B+W.
6. Add toning if desired.
7. Resize image to final output size.
8. Do output sharpening
9. Print

The reason PhotoKit Sharpener wants the image in color is because  
there is an option to reduce noise during the sharpening process and  
that process applies the reduction to the R,G and B channels  
individually.

Also, while a bit complicated, there are conversion processes which  
involve creating a B+W image comprised of layers based on the L  
channel from a LAB conversion of the color original, a straight  
grayscale conversion from the original and the R,G and B channels  
from the original. Then you can use masks, change blending modes and  
vary opacities of the layers to get your final B+W image.

Jim