A simple tut on better grayscale photos

There are many tutorials on making better grayscale photos utilizing many complex steps, but I always do this simple method first and if lucky, I may not have to correct much further.
Here is the starting color photo followed by the photo after changing it to grayscale in Photoshop.


Image; Mode; Grayscale
Not so great, is it?

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.

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.

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.

Grayscale only on left; using lab method on the right.

A "VERY COOL" kit from Ziggle Designs

Pun intended! Isn't this just the cutest!? Pic is linked to the shop...It is 20% off for the next few days, so grab it!

I had a hard time deciding which parts to use...they are all so darn cute!

Kit credit: With a Cherry on Top Collab by Ziggle Designs and Amanda Heimann

Easy Peasy

Don't you just love it when something falls together just so easily? I had picked up this gorgeous kit for the Apple Cart challenge at Scrap Orchard. It's by Irene and all her stuff is dreamy gorgeous. I was tired so I grabbed a template in my stash. It is from Pencillines...I gotta say every template I have seen from there is top shelf! Made this in a few minutes time...what was I thinking all that time I refused to entertain templates?!?

I love this photo of Nat from a few years ago. She was getting ready to go on for her class Christmas concert and a friend (a boy) gave her this lamb. Love that sweet face!

Kit credits: Paper, Vines and Flowers- Vintage Flowers by Studio Ziska; ; Paper Frame from (Ziska) SBG Impressions of Honor; Gold Alpha (Flergs) Impressions of Heritage

catching up

It's been a while with just busy life in general and I feared I had lost my scrap mojo. It's not completely back, but I think I am on my way. Spent tonight organizing and cleaning stuff out and decided to play catch up on a couple CTs. I hope to have all them done soon. Computer got an overhaul and cleaning out as well, and it works very fast now, so fast it feels brand new...and I guess it didn't hurt that I got more memory added. So here is the latest page I made...

Kit credits: Forest Friends Collab by Ziggle Designs and Franziska Altmann; Gold frame and grass strip from Firefly Lane Collab by Ziggle Designs and Amanda Heimann; Word art by Createwings Designs

RIP Seth :-(

I heard some distressing news today. My favorite (and I think everyone else's favorite) Sea Lion, Seth had passed away in the autumn. I had this photo taken with him in 07 and saw him again just weeks or months before he died. Seth was truly "Mr. Personality". Seth, you will be missed.

Kits: Two papers (blended), swirly string, satin ribbon, black paper tag, green rick rack (altered) from Sunny Side Up collab by Pineapple Plantation Designs and Ziggle Designs; Layered journal and blue flower from Alice by Ziggle Designs

Speed Scrapping

Here is the LO for the latest SS.

1. You can pick as many photos as you want... BUT if you choose more than one, they have to have something in common with each other. Something in the background, a person, whatever...something must be in ALL of the pictures.
2. Choose three papers and only three...no more, no less. One must be solid.
3. Now...go back to the photos. Choose at least one and crop it into a circle. You can do more, if you like. If you only chose one photo, then it must be a circle.
4. Ok, so we are featuring SherriJD's new kits tonight, so let's add some forest elements... like, oh, Toadstools or Sprites... or other creatures, if you would like.
5. Time for elements. Let's keep with the forest theme and get some flowers, branches, leaves or other nature-inspired elements. Choose at least three...they can be the same or different.
6. I want to see some funky fonts!!! Pick a font out of your stash that you never use...or at least that you hardly use. The more unusual the better. You can use it as a title or journaling, or even make some word art...it's up to you!
7. Title your page and journal something.



Kit: Creation 23 by Createwings Designs and Catherine Designs; font is I'm Bored