Change color photo to high contrast B and W

This tutorial has been updated. Changing a color photo by desaturating it leaves it dull and without contrast. Photoshop offers a simple method to change it into high contrast black and white. Follow the steps below: Step 1 : This a photo of a Nana Mouskouri album cover which I wish to change into black and white. I have opened it in Photoshop. Choose an image you wish to convert and open it likewise.

Step 2 : Go to Image>Calculations as shown above.

Step 3 : This dialogue box opens.

Step 4 : You have to change the settings highlighted in Blue in the dialogue box. Look at where 'Source 2' is. It will show you the title of your photo. Next change the 'Blending' to 'Soft Light' (A), change the 'Channel' to Green (B) and lastly set the 'Result' (C) to 'New Document'. Click ok.

Here is the same album cover in Black and White.

I have opened another photo in Photoshop which I will change into black and white. I will show in more detail how to go about it.
Step 1 : I have again gone to Image>Calculations.

Step 2 : This is the dialogue box with the default settings. Notice that in the 'Source 2' 'Channel' is set to 'Red' and Blending is set to 'Multiply'.

Step 3 : Note that the 'Blending is set to Multiply. Click the pop up box and choose soft light.

Step 4 : This is how the image looks like.

Step 5 : Now change the Channels to 'Green' from the drop down box.

Step 6 : This is how the image looks.

Step 7 : For the sake of experiment now click 'Red' in Channel.

Step 8 : This is how the image looks Step 9 : Now change the Channel to Blue

Step 10 : This is how the image looks.

Step 11 : Now change the Channel to Gray.

Step 12 : This is how the image now looks. You should experiment with the channels to see which effect you like. Then click ok.

I have chosen the Green channel and clicked ok. That's all. Try it out yourself.