Whether you’ve dabbled in b&w photography or always shoot in color, you’re likely aware that some subjects can be more impactful in monochrome. There are basically two choices if you want to give this a try: Set your camera to B&W or shoot in color and convert the image to b&w during the editing process.

This tutorial from the This Guy Does Photoshop channel is all about the later approach with a slight twist. Instructor Shawn Dolinski demonstrates one of the most compelling forms of b&w conversion; namely, those with a dramatic high-contrast look that really grabs attention.

This particular effect is created by using a variety of adjustment layers, Camera Raw filters and a bit of straightforward Layer Masking. This mouthful may sound rather complicated, but the method is actually easy enough for photographers of all skill levels. And the results are awesome.

Dolinski demonstrates the technique using portrait photos, but this approach can work wonders for landscapes and other types of images. So think about ways you can put these tips to work while watching the video. The first step is to open an image in Photoshop and use a Gradient Map adjustment layer to convert the photo to b&w by following Dolinski’s simple instructions.

Dolinski then demonstrates how to employ a simple slider to adjust highlights, mid-tones, and shadows until you see what you like. Next comes another adjustment layer that initially sounds a bit strange. That’s because even though your image is already b&w, you’ll see sliders for various colors. These able you to adjust various tones based upon colors in the original image.

Once you’ve adjusted colors and tones to your satisfaction, it’s time to selectively enhance specific areas in the photo so they stand out—specifically in terms of brightness. With portraits, for example, that may mean the eyes and/or lips. This straightforward step involves the use of Curves in the manner Dolinski suggests.

With the conversion now looking pretty great, Dolinski now merges all the initial  adjustments using the timesaving keyboard shortcuts provided. Now he employs Photoshop’s Level’s tool to create a subtle spotlight effect.

After a few final refinements the transformation is complete. If you compare Dolinski’s original color image to the high-contrast conversion, the drama will smack you in the face. You can find more helpful lessons like this one by paying a visit to Dolinski’s YouTube channel.

We also suggested watching the tutorial we posted from another pro, demonstrating five pro tips for shooting dynamic architectural photos (that often look awesome when converted to b&w).

If you’re serious about capturing the essence of your subjects and taking photography to the next level, developing better composition skills is a great way to start. In fact, understanding how to best frame a scene is one of the essential fundamentals of our craft. That’s the topic of the quick tutorial below from the Camera Focus YouTube channel.

Instructor Terry Copper is a professional landscape photographer known for his adept visual storytelling. In today’s 11-minute episode he reveals secrets to his success, specifically those related to effective composition that deliver attention-grabbing images.

He begins with this question: “How can we effectively arrange the vital elements within a scene and establish a harmonious relationship with one another?” This pretty much sums up the critical nature of refined composition, and the answers he provides will greatly improve your imagery. He also covers the importance of depth of field, and the proper use of light and shadow.

Cooper discusses several “rules” of composition, and when to ignore them. You may have heard some of these before, like the Rule of Thirds and the Golden Ratio that Leonardo D Vinci used within his iconic paintings. There are other guidelines, however, that are less familiar but equally or more helpful.

According to Copper, “composition is the language of photography, enabling you to tell your story, evoke emotions, and guide a viewer through your image.” He summarizes the most common concepts for the uninitiated, beginning with the Rule of Thirds. As you may know, this involves dividing an image into a three-by-three grid by drawing two equally spaced vertical lines and two equally spaced horizontal lines. The trick is to place key elements of a scene at the intersection points of these lines.

Another common method for composing compelling and dynamic images is to use leading lines within a scene that “direct a viewer’s eyes to a specific focal point or subject.” As you’ll see, by observing Cooper’s examples, these can either be physical lines or implied lines created by the arrangement of objects in the frame.

Things get even more interesting as Cooper delves into less familiar techniques for giving photos depth and adding a sense of movement and direction. He says these methods will “help create a visual journey for the viewer, leading them from foreground to background or from one point of the image to another.”

Cooper’s YouTube channel is a great source of information about outdoor photography, so be sure to take a look.

We also suggest watching a related tutorial we posted earlier, explaining the meaning of “visual hierarchy” and how to use it for perfectly composed photos.