Gorman B&W Photoshop CS & CS2 Action

[RHoldenSr]

Thanks to jheiliger for linking us to Greg Gorman's website and the PDF file with complete instructions for this conversion.

I have created an action to do this process and it leaves all adjustment layers in tact for tweaking upon final completion.

I have tested this action in both Photoshop CS and Photoshop CS2 and it worked perfectly. I however do not gurantee the final results and you use this action at your own risk. Please do not use this and save over your original files.

It is highly recommended you read this PDF instruction file to fully understand the changes available upon completion.

This action will do the following:

This action will consider your image to be 8 bit at the begining and convert the mode to 16 bit and at the end covert it back to 8 bit mode!

1. Create a snapshot of your original file (Original Snapshot 1)
2. Convert image to 16 bit
3. Perform Black and white conversion as outlined in the Gorman-Holbert PDF file.

Note:

a. (Gorman Step Number 9)
I choice a dark gray color for the color selection in the fill layer.
If this is not what you want you can tweak it afterwards by double clicking
on the left thumnail of the "Color Fill 1" Layer.

b: (Gorman Step Number 13 Optional)
I added a curve layer and a levels layer for tweaking upon completion.

To confirm steps 21 and 22 double click on "Layer 1" (High Pass) and check to see that the layer properties are set to 50/70 and 185/205 at the bottom of the menu.

4. Convert image back to 8 bit mode
5. Create snapshot of the Gorman-Holbert B&W conversion (Gorman-Holbert BW)
6. Leave all adjustment layers for tweaking upon completion.

Note: For future changes be sure to save this file as a Photoshop .PSD file!

When the B&W conversion is complete.
You should see the following layers:

Curves 1 (Adjust the curves)
Levels 1 (Adjust the Levels)
Color Fill 1 (Select color for Black and white, sepia tone and etc.)
Layer 1 (High Pass)
Original Background Layer

To adjust the curves, levels, or color selection double click on each of the left thumbnails in the layer menu and adjust each setting to suit your tastes and needs.

The action, instructions (Gorman.txt file), Original PDF file and sample jpg file can be downloaded from my website in zip format. The file size is approximately 661kb.

Simply click on the url below and save to your hard drive.
Unzip the file and copy the action to the Photoshop action directory.
My directory happens to be:

Drive:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS2\Presets\Photoshop Actions

Once you open Photoshop load the action.

Send me a PM if you are interested in the action I created.

[xseption]

Would your action work in PS 7?

thanks!

edd

[RHoldenSr]

I think it should work fine, the only way to know is to try it.
The only other command I used besides what is outlined in the PDF is "Make Snapshot"
And I do believe Photoshop 7 has this option does it not?

Originally Posted by xseption

Would your action work in PS 7?

thanks!

edd

[markperez]

Thanks for posting it Robin.

[Roy]

Tried it in Photosop 7 and it didn't like the command "make" or "set" or "merge visible". It did run, it just didn't make any new layers. Wish I new enough about it and I'd try to fix it.

[RHoldenSr]

It should not be to hard, select make new action and record the steps while you edit an image as outlined in the PDF and then stop it immediately after you finish.

I do not have Photoshop 7 on my system anymore or I would make it.

Originally Posted by Roy

Tried it in Photosop 7 and it didn't like the command "make" or "set" or "merge visible". It did run, it just didn't make any new layers. Wish I new enough about it and I'd try to fix it.

[xseption]

Darn! I am not conversant enough with PS to edit the action.

Thanks for all the hard work!

edd

[Roy]

Thanks again Robin. I'll give it a try when I get a little more time. Been wanting to try recording an action out anyway so this will be a good learning experience. Looking forward to it. At my age, it's kind of fun to still learn something new.

[Silvernic]

Thanks Robin. Here's my try at it. Can someone tell me what I should be looking for when doing my b&w conversions. Is there any specific things? I just adjust til I think it looks pretty.

[xseption]

Originally Posted by Silvernic

Thanks Robin. Here's my try at it. Can someone tell me what I should be looking for when doing my b&w conversions. Is there any specific things? I just adjust til I think it looks pretty.

That's a damn nice photo!

edd

[saber]

Originally Posted by Silvernic

Thanks Robin. Here's my try at it. Can someone tell me what I should be looking for when doing my b&w conversions. Is there any specific things? I just adjust til I think it looks pretty.

Just like you said: "Adjust till I think it looks pretty". Make sure YOU like the photo. There are no real rules in B&W, it all depends on what kind of scene YOU want to create. A lighter one or a darker one for instance, or one with much contrast or one with not so many contrast.

[RHoldenSr]

I think you have done an excellent job with the action on this photo!
You have a great use of tones creating depth and etc.
I do not see any blown highlights or shadow areas that are to dark.

Overall a very nice nice photo that is pleasing to look at.

Did you change the color on the fill layer or did you leave it at dark gray/black?

Originally Posted by Silvernic

Thanks Robin. Here's my try at it. Can someone tell me what I should be looking for when doing my b&w conversions. Is there any specific things? I just adjust til I think it looks pretty.

[Sonny]

My daughter Sadee making a mess.

[jheiliger]

<<-------- Bow's left -- Bow's right

Like I said.... I'm just glad I can contribute something to such a great group of Photographers and friends. I have learned a lot from others here, and I think that's what it is about.

I just love this method because of the control you have over the finished image!

Thanks

Joe

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Hey Robin,

Thanks so much for putting this into an action. I tried it out and it's fantastic!! Love the control it gives and the results. It's much better than the Fred Miranda action I used to use.

You've added some great value to the forum!

_/oe