To make only one layer black and white in Photoshop, use a Black & White adjustment layer and then create a clipping mask to apply the effect only to the desired layer.
Here's a breakdown of the steps:
Steps to Create a Single-Layer Black and White Effect
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Add a Black & White Adjustment Layer: In the Layers panel, click the "Create new fill or adjustment layer" icon (it looks like a half-black/half-white circle at the bottom). Select "Black & White." This will add a Black & White adjustment layer above your currently selected layer.
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Create a Clipping Mask: To apply the Black & White adjustment only to the layer directly below it, you need to create a clipping mask. There are two ways to do this:
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Right-Click Method: Right-click on the Black & White adjustment layer in the Layers panel and select "Create Clipping Mask."
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Alt+Click Method: Hold down the Alt key (Option key on Mac) and click between the Black & White adjustment layer and the layer you want to affect in the Layers panel. A small arrow icon will appear, indicating the clipping mask.
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Adjust the Black & White Settings (Optional): With the Black & White adjustment layer selected, adjust the sliders in the Properties panel (Window > Properties if you don't see it). These sliders control how different colors are converted to grayscale tones, allowing you to fine-tune the look of the black and white conversion on your selected layer.
Why This Works
The Black & White adjustment layer, by default, affects all layers below it. A clipping mask restricts the effect of the adjustment layer to only the layer directly beneath it in the Layers panel. Think of the lower layer as a "mask" defining the boundaries of the adjustment.
Example Scenario
Let's say you have two layers:
- Layer 1: A color photo of a flower.
- Layer 2: A color background.
You want to make only the flower black and white, leaving the background in color. You would:
- Select either Layer 1 or Layer 2
- Add a Black & White adjustment layer (it will appear above whichever layer you selected)
- Right-click the adjustment layer and choose "Create Clipping Mask". This clips the Black & White adjustment to the layer directly beneath it. If you had selected Layer 1, the flower would be black and white. If you had selected Layer 2, the background would be black and white. You can easily move the order of the layers, with the clipping mask still applied.
Additional Tips
- You can easily remove the clipping mask by right-clicking the adjustment layer and choosing "Release Clipping Mask".
- If you need to adjust the black and white conversion later, simply select the Black & White adjustment layer and modify the sliders in the Properties panel.
By using a Black & White adjustment layer with a clipping mask, you gain precise control over which layers in your Photoshop document are affected by the black and white conversion.
