INTRODUCTION – The Gradient Mapping tool gives a variety of  color change options including black & white and weird psychedelic combinations.
 

OPEN PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS AND LOAD A PICTURE - Open Photoshop Elements in the Edit mode.  Hold the Ctrl key and tap the letter O key (Open) > navigate to a pictures folder and click a picture with dark and light elements > click Open > maximize the view with Ctrl + 0 (the number).

CREATE A DUPLICATE LAYER – Hold the Ctrl key and tap the J key or drag the picture to the “Create a new layer” icon (creates a duplicate layer).

ADD A GRADIENT MAP – Click the “Create adjustment layer” icon (black & white ball atop the Layers palette) + Gradient Map.  Notice that the picture varies in color between the foreground and background color (bottom of the Tools Bar).  Under Gradient Options, put a check mark in front of Dither (evens out the gradient effect).  Click OK.  Move the Opacity slider to see the effect.

TRY DIFFERENT GRADIENT COLOR SETS – Click the Undo arrow a time or two until you have only 2 layers.  Select the top layer > click the “Create adjustment layer” icon + Gradient Map > click anywhere on the bar below the words “Gradient Used for Grayscale Mapping” (displays the currently selected set of gradient colors).  Try each of these color sets (when you mouse over each color set, it’s name is displayed).  If detail is masked by the colors, click OK and reduce the opacity.

LOAD AND TRY OTHER GRADIENTS – Click the Undo arrow a time or two until you have only 2 layers.  Select the top layer > click the “Create adjustment layer” icon + Gradient Map > click the “Click to open Gradient picker” (? icon on right side of gradient bar) > click the New Gradient picker (?? icon on right side of  the displayed gradient color set) > look at each set: Color Harmonies1, Color Harmonies2, Default, Metals, Noise Samples, Pastels, Simple, Special Effects and Spectrums > try a few on your picture > end with Default before closing Photoshop Elements.

CONCLUSION – This is one way to convert from color to black & white.  However, your picture can be transformed into a multi-colored masterpiece by selecting the right gradient colors and opacity setting.  Not included here, you can load and save gradient sets created by yourself or downloaded from the Web.

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