This is how to convert your image to black and white using the Gimp.

To learn more about using the Gimp check out my first post, here.

I shot this image in my house and the couch threw an ugly color cast into my son’s face.

That is one of the reasons I knew while taking it I would like this picture a lot more in black and white.

Go to Colors/Components/Channel Mixer.

Select Monochrome and Preserve luminosity.

I like to set the my Channels around 100% for red, 70% for green, and 40% for blue for most of my conversions.

Select OK.

If you want your red’s to be darker, lower your percentage on the red channel or add more green.

If you want the red’s to be lighter then raise the percentage of red or lower the percentage of green.

If you want green or blue, to be lighter or darker raise or lower them as well.

Play around with the channels to see what effect they have on your black and white image.

There are a few different ways to add contrast to your black and white in post production.

You can adjust the Curves by going to Colors/Curves and then dragging the middle line where you want it.

Usually you are going for an S shape curve to add contrast.

You can also do an Overlay layer to give it more contrast.

You can read more about the overlay layer in this post.

I usually use either the curves or the overlay layer, not necessarily both.

My finished image.

Here is a tutorial on how to take better black and white images.

I edit all of my jpg’s on an open source program called the Gimp.

I have heard from a couple people who have tried it and have gotten aggravated when they could not figure out how to use it.

Here are the basic steps I use the most.

This image is too dark.

One way of fixing that that in the Gimp is using the Screen option on the toolbar on the top right.

First duplicate layer, using the little icon on the top right or Ctrl + Shift +D.

I am a shortcut junky, so I will be sharing as many as I can.

Make sure the top layer is selected when you change the mode from normal to screen.

Adjust the opacity to where you want it.

I do not normally need to set the opacity so high but I intentionally underexposed this picture so I could edit it.

Merge layers by right clicking on a layer and selecting merge layers or by hitting Ctrl +M.

Add a new layer and select Overlay to give your pictures a little more pop.

It boost’s the colors and saturates them a little more.

I recommend setting the opacity at 50% or less.

Merge your layers again.

To crop, select the crop icon from the toolbar on the left.

Then click and drag on the picture to make a box.

If you would like to keep it the same aspect ratio, you need to select fixed in the tool options on the bottom right.

There are also guides that you can turn on.

Just click on “no guides” in the same options and change to what you want.

Click on the middle of the picture to crop.

The very last thing I do is sharpen the picture.

It is best to do the sharpening and resizing very last.

Go to Filters/Enhance/Unsharp Mask.

I like 30% on amount.

This works for my camera, you may need a different setting for yours.

I do not normally adjust any of the other dials.

Go to File/Export to save your newly edited picture or hit Ctrl + Shift + E.

With those couple steps, I went from this.

To this.

The best part about the Gimp is that it is free!

I use only this program for editing jpg’s and have for years.

I know that the Gimp can be a bit overwhelming when you first start.

I hope this helps you get your feet in the wet, it really is an amazing program.

If you like to add textures to your pictures, Jessica Drossin has a really good tutorial on how to do it using the Gimp!