How to make a photo black and white (or sepia) online
Black and white strips a photo back to light, shape and expression, and it can rescue pictures with distracting colours or mixed lighting. Sepia adds an old-photograph warmth.
Step by step
- Open the Photo Editor. Upload your photo.
- Choose the Grayscale or Sepia filter. Both are free.
- Add contrast. Black and white usually looks best with a little more contrast than the original.
- Export. Download your photo.
Photos that suit black and white
Portraits with strong window light, textured subjects like old buildings, and scenes with clear shapes and shadows all work well. Photos where colour is the whole point, like a sunset, usually don't.
Fine-tuning the look
A flat black and white photo usually needs more contrast: deeper blacks and brighter whites. Raise the contrast a little and adjust brightness until the subject stands out. For a softer vintage feel, try sepia with slightly lower contrast.
Questions
Is it free?
Yes. Free exports carry a small Postscript watermark, which Pro removes.
Can I keep one colour?
Not automatically. For that, use the cut-out tool (Pro) to layer a colour subject over a black and white copy.
Are there other vintage looks?
Pro adds Vintage and other mood filters, plus retro effects like VHS and light leak.
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