How to make better Black & White Photos with PicMonkey (it's free!)

I love the look of black and white photos that are really contrasting. Black blacks, and white whites, not a lot of gray tones is perfect for me. I think it gives photos a lot more depth, feeling and even soul. 

When I was younger, and my obsession with photography was just starting, I was mesmerized by Ansel Adams' black and white photos. (If you've never seen his work, you are in for a treat!) His photos that spoke to me the most were usually the trees and mountains. They just feel so majestic and pure.

When using PicMonkey to edit photos, I learned a very easy way to turn your black and white photos a darker, classic shade, but still use their b&w effect filter.

How you ask?

All you need to do to your photo, while it is still in color, is to darken the image by turning the shadows up. That's it! You can find this under Basic Edits>Exposure, the first tab on the left. (You can also play with the Contrast slider too if you'd like.)

Once you have made your color image darker, proceed to the 2nd tab down on the left to: Effects>Black and White. 

Now your photo is a nice dark black and white photo! 

Make sure to click save, or if you'd like to fine tune it more, simply click the back arrow in the middle of the screen right above your photo, to undo any edits made.

Before:

  After:

A great way to make your iPhone pictures black and white is with the VSCO Cam app, B1 filter. It has a nice classic, dark b&w filter. 

I also love Elsie's advice in her post How to create bright & sharp iPhone Photos when she speaks about knowing when a picture is better in black and white! (Tip #4, towards the bottom)

Check out some of my other PicMonkey photo tutorials:
{Hassle free} way to make your own blog button
Customize your Photos: Text & Effects
Customize your Photos: Collage & Word Art
Customize your Photos: Photo on Photo & Watermark