Gritty Black and White in Photoshop

As I mentioned in my previous article Convert a Colour Photo to Black and White, when shooting black and white images with digital, you are best off shooting in colour and converting to black and white later, in a program like Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro or GIMP.

Give your black and white conversions a gritty edge with Photoshop. Original image by pfig.

In this article we'll look at a simple method of giving your black and white images a really gritty feel, perfect for urban photography. I'll be using Photoshop, but the method is pretty much identical in all other programs, so you'll still be able to follow along.

The best photos to use for this technique are ones with plenty of contrast and texture. This technique will really bring out the gritty, dirty details.

1 - Convert to Black and White

Start by converting your photo to black and white.

Start Photoshop, open your image and convert it to black and white. The easiest way is by going to Image > Mode > Grayscale, or you can use my recommended black and white conversion method for more control and a more interesting final image.

2 - Increase the Contrast

Use the Levels tool to add contrast to your image.

Next, adjust the image's levels (Image > Adjustments > Levels). Drag the end sliders inwards to create more contrast. Don't worry if you lose some detail in the highlights and shadows; it'll all add to the final effect. Click OK to apply the adjustment.

3 - Add the Grittiness

Add grittiness to your photo using Photoshop's Diffuse Glow filter.

Change your background colour to white (D on the keyboard).

Apply a diffuse glow filter to your photo (Filter > Distort > Diffuse Glow). Adjust the sliders to your liking. For this example I used Graininess 4, Glow Amount 1, Clear Amount 8, but the settings will vary depending on the image and your preferences.

Click OK to apply the filter and then save your new gritty black and white photo - simple!