Here is the starting color photo followed by the photo after changing it to grayscale in Photoshop.
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Image; Mode; Grayscale
Not so great, is it?
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1. A better way is to use lab mode. Open the color original. Bring the Channels Palette to the front.
2. Then go: Image; Mode; Lab.
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3. Now you'll see Lab, Lightness, A & B channels. Drag A or B to the little trash can below (or right click and choose Delete Channel)
4. Now you see: Alpha 1 and Alpha 2.
5. Delete Alpha 2
6. Important step. Don't forget to go back to MODE and change it back to grayscale at this point. I also applied: Image; Adjustments; Auto Contrast.
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Your photo is greatly improved. You can tweak the levels or the brightness/contrast, or any other methods you are comfortable with. This step gets you closer to a better end result quickly.
7. Most important step: SAVE AS and give it a different name so you won't save over the color original.
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Grayscale only on left; using lab method on the right.
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