Today I was going over how to convert color photographs into B&W or monochrome. I demonstrated seven different techniques which all create subtle variations to what the image looks like. One of the techniques I explored was converting the image to a CMYK color and selecting one of the channels. In the case of the image above I chose the Magenta channel to make a new B&W image out of the original color. It distorts the tones and makes a bit of a posterization of the midtones as compared to the original image but I think it makes for an interesting translation as it really adds impact to the weight of the barn. Tone mapping and color grading are ways we can imbue an image with emotion.
Original image
Traditional B&W conversion via luminosity channel
