A quick and easy way to convert an image from color to B&W is to use the Channel Mixer dialog. You can blend information from the individual RGB channels into a B&W image.

If you look at the individual channels in an RGB image, you will see that each can be split into a new image. Each channel reacts to colored light differently. You can test this quickly in the Channel Mixer by selecting the Monochrome checkbox and then pulling the slider for each channel to 100 in turn, leaving the other two channels at 0.

For example, here's a color image from Scotland (who would have guessed?)

Just click the Monochrome checkbox and this is what you get . . .

I don't know who was the first person to demonstrate how to use the Channel Mixer to make a B&W image. I do know it is a common tip. What is not so common is how to siumulate B&W film filters to selectively boost the contrast of B&W conversions.

I found a few examples around the Web. Like the action set from Fred Miranda. Some recommendations in tips and tutorials. I found most of the filter effects to be lacking. So, I sat down with a corrected image of Macbeth ColorChecker Card and worked out some better settings.

To make it easy for you, I added a set of actions to my TLR B&W Conversion action set to automatically create Channel Mixer adjustment layers for these settings.

Let's look at a couple of examples. First, B&W conversion without a filter.

Now, B&W conversion with a red filter effect. Red filters lighten reds, make greens darker, and especially darkens blues.

Notice how the kilt darkened and the red border behind the stones lightened?

Here's a quick reference to B&W filters and the actions in my action set.

I hope this technique helps with your digital B&W photography.

Don't forget to download my TLR B&W Conversion action set!