QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE V1.

S TAT E O F T H E A R T B & W E D I T I N G M A D E E A S Y A N D I N T U I T I V E

© BWVISION.COM 2018
S E E . C L I C K . A D J U S T
FREE B&W ARTISAN LITE VERSION
B&W Artisan LITE is the FREE and stripped-down version of
B&W Artisan Pro and has therefore limited features and
functionality. The features in Artisan LITE that are not disabled
(i.e. grayed-out) however, operate in exact the same way as
B&W Artisan PRO. This Quick Reference Guide will therefore
only focus on the use of the panel with the full B&W Artisan PRO
version. As much as possible it will be indicated which features
don’t apply to the LITE version.

See below what the various icons indicate.

PRO feature
PRO and LITE features are the same
LITE feature

PRO full
PRO has full feature, LITE limited feature
LITE limited

PRO only Only available in PRO

S E E . C L I C K . A D J U S T
ARTISAN PRO V1.2 AVAILABLE STARTING JUNE 20, 2018

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE UPGRADING FROM THE FREE ARTISAN LITE PANEL
TO THE ARTISAN PRO V1.2 VERSION AS DESCRIBED IN THIS GUIDE,
BEFORE JUNE 20, 2018, THEN YOU WILL RECEIVE V1.1 OF ARTISAN PRO.
HOWEVER, EVERY EXISTING USER OF ARTISAN PRO WILL GET A NOTIFICATION
FOR A FREE UPDATE TO V1.2 ON JUNE 20, 2018.
 SECTION WITH CHANGES IN ARTISAN PRO V1.2

IF YOU ARE UPGRADING FROM V1.1 OR V1.0 FROM B&W ARTISAN PRO, THEN THE
UPDATES SECTION FROM PAGE 6 TO PAGE 15, ARE MOST RELEVANT TO YOU, AS THEY
HIGHLIGHT AND SUMMARIZE ONLY THE NEW OR CHANGED FEATURES IN ARTISAN
PRO V1.2 COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS V1.1, AND YOU CAN SKIP THE REST.
NEW USERS OF ARTISAN PRO ARE ADVISED TO TAKE NOTICE OF THE UPDATES

SECTION AS WELL, BEFORE CONTINUING WITH THE REMAINDER OF THIS GUIDE.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

01. UPDATES SECTION - OVERVIEW VERSION COMPARISON TABLE - P.7

02. UPDATES SECTION - NEW PRESET LAYOUT AND COSMETIC CHANGES FOR PRO AND LITE - P.8
03. UPDATES SECTION - 8 NEW SMART LINEAR ‘STRICT’ PRESETS FOR ADVANCED ADJUSTMENTS - P.9
04. UPDATES SECTION - 6 NEW ‘STRICT’ PRESETS FOR MICRO-ZONE ADJUSTMENTS - P.10
05. UPDATES SECTION - 3 NEW ‘LOAD AND OPTIMIZE MASK’ PRESETS - P.11
06. UPDATES SECTION - EXAMPLES AND RESULTS FOR NEW ‘LOAD AND OPTIMIZE MASK’ PRESETS - P.12, P.13 & P.14
07. UPDATES SECTION - UPDATED SMART LINEAR WITH PRE-CREATED MASKS WITH BUILT-IN MASK OPTIMIZATION - P.15
08. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS, INSTALLATION AND IMAGE REQUIREMENTS - P.16, P.17, P18
09. INTRO, WHAT IS ARTISAN PRO, AND HOW DOES ARTISAN PRO RELATE TO MY PERSONAL MANUAL WORKFLOW - P.19, P.20, P.21, P.22
10. GENERIC TIPS AND FEATURES - P.23, P.24, P.25
11. OVERVIEW, MAIN MENU - P.26, P.27, P.28
12. RECOMMENDED WORKFLOW IN A (VISUAL) NUTSHELL - P.29
13. B&W CONVERSION PRESETS AND DIFFERENCE BETWEEN B&W CONVERSION AND POST-PROCESSING - P.30, P.31
14. LUMINOSITY MASKS AND ZONE MASKS - P.32
15. TONING PRESETS - P.33, P.34, P.35
16. BASIC GLOBAL ADJUSTMENTS - P.36
17. SMART LOCAL ADVANCED ADJUSTMENTS AND EXAMPLES - P.37, P.38
18. SMART ADVANCED ADJUSTMENTS WITH PRE-CREATED MASKS AND EXAMPLES - P.39
19. MICRO ZONE ADJUSTMENTS WITH EXAMPLES - P.40, P.41, P.42, P.43, P.44, P.45, P.46
20. MORE TUTORIALS ON YOUTUBE AND LEGAL DISCLAIMER - P.47, P.48
 VERSION COMPARISON PRO V1.1 / V1.2 & LITE
CHANGES V1.1 VERSUS V1.2
The features highlighted in orange are the updated features.

FEATURE ARTISAN PRO V1.1 (May 2018) ARTISAN PRO V1.2 (June 2018) ARTISAN LITE

LITE feature PRO feature EASY ACCESS BUTTONS 8 PRESETS 8 PRESETS 8 PRESETS

LITE limited PRO full LUMINOSITY MASKS 35 MASKS 35 MASKS 19 MASKS

LITE feature PRO feature ZONE MASKS 11 MASKS 11 MASKS 11 MASKS

LITE limited PRO full B&W CONVERSION PRESETS 10 PRESETS 10 PRESETS 2 PRESETS

LITE limited PRO full GLOBAL ADJUSTMENTS 12 PRESETS 12 PRESETS 4 PRESETS

LITE limited PRO full ADVANCED LOCAL ADJUSTMENTS 16 PRESETS 24 PRESETS (8 NEW) 2 PRESETS

NEW: 3 PRESETS FOR REMOVING

PRO only LOAD AND OPTIMIZE MASK — —
FRINGES/HALOS

PRO only MICRO ZONE ADJUSTMENTS 56 PRESETS (8 PER ZONE) 98 PRESETS (14 PER ZONE) —

LITE limited PRO full SINGLE TONING PRESETS 7 PRESETS 7 PRESETS 1 PRESETS

LITE limited PRO full SPLIT TONING PRESETS 15 PRESETS 15 PRESETS 2 PRESETS

PRO only ONLINE SUPPORT YES YES NO

 PRO feature
OVERVIEW CHANGES FOR ARTISAN PRO V1.2 AND LITE LITE feature

DARKEN AND LIGHTEN BUTTONS CHANGES BASIC ADJUSTMENTS - NAME CHANGES

Where in the previous versions of Artisan Pro (v1.0 and v1.1) the ‘Darken' and Since it is the purpose to separate Basic Adjustments to function as global
‘Lighten' buttons intensities were indicated with either 'Darken +' or 'Lighten +’ adjustments on one hand, from Advanced Adjustments and Micro Zone
they’re now indicated with D1 or L1 Adjustments to function as local adjustments on the other hand, I’ve ensured
with the new names that this has become more clear.

NEW PRO V1.2 + NEW PRO V1.2 +

OLD OLD OLD NAME NEW NAME PRO V1.2 + LITE
LITE LITE

DARKEN + D1 LIGHTEN + L1
GLOBAL ADJUSTMENTS GLOBAL - TONAL RANGE

DARKEN ++ D2 LIGHTEN ++ L2

LOCAL ADJUSTMENTS GLOBAL - TONAL ZONES

DARKEN +++ D3 LIGHTEN +++ L3

DARKEN ++++ D4 CONTRAST GLOBAL - CONTRAST

LIGHTEN ++++ L4

WHERE CAN THESE CHANGES BE FOUND

WHERE CAN THESE CHANGES BE FOUND Only under Basic Adjustments. Note that the addendum Basic Adjustments
All presets under the Advanced Adjustment section have been changed to addendum v1.0.pdf, that can be found by clicking on the Manual Button in the
give way to a cleaner user-interface and more presets. lower row of the panel, still reflects the old names. This will be changed, or may
have already been changed into the names, depending on when you access
The presets under the Micro Zone section have kept the original names. that addendum.
OVERVIEW UPDATES/NEW FEATURES FOR ARTISAN PRO V1.2 [1] PRO only

NEW ADVANCED ADJUSTMENTS FEATURE FOR LOCAL ADJUSTMENTS: 8 NEW

'SMART LINEAR - STRICT' PRESETS
In v1.1 and older of Artisan PRO there was only 1 smart linear local adjustment feature consisting of 8
presets for very quick but accurate local adjustments, using free-form selections with the lasso tool for
example. The old Smart Linear is now called Smart Linear - Default and is unchanged.
As from v1.2 and up, 8 new Smart Linear - Strict presets have been added.
The 8 new Strict presets work the same way as the 8 Default presets but adjustments are now more
confined within the edges of a target selection. In other words: there’s hardly visible ‘bleeding' over the
edges, compared to Smart Linear - Default.

WHEN TO
SMART LINEAR - DEFAULT SMART LINEAR - STRICT
USE

1 SAME AS ‘SMART LINEAR’ IN OLDER VERSIONS NEW IN V1.2 AND UP

BLEED MORE OVER THE EDGES AND ARE ALMOST NO BLEEDING OVER THE EDGES BUT
2
MORE SUBTLE STILL VERY SUBTLE TRANSITIONS

IDEAL FOR SMALLER AREAS WITH LOTS OF

IDEAL FOR LARGER AREAS OR ORGANIC
DETAILS WHERE MORE ACCURACY IS DESIRED.
3 SHAPES WHERE FLUENT TRANSITIONS ARE
E.G. PORTRAITS, ARCHITECTURE, STILL LIFE
PREFERRED W. ROUGH SELECTIONS
DETAILS W. MORE STRICT SELECTIONS
OVERVIEW UPDATES/NEW FEATURES FOR ARTISAN PRO V1.2 [2] PRO only

NEW MICRO ZONE ADJUSTMENTS FEATURE FOR DETAILED LOCAL ADJUSTMENTS: 6

NEW 'SMART LINEAR - STRICT' PRESETS
Just like with the Smart Linear Local Adjustments, the Micro Zone adjustments (more on Micro Zones in
general further down this Quick Reference Guide) now also have the ‘Strict Adjustments’ feature, where
the ‘Default Adjustments’ feature replaces the old and only feature, simply called ‘Adjustments’. Again,
the Default Adjustments are unchanged and have more ‘bleeding’ over the edges to make transitions to
adjacent, not selected areas, fluent and natural, hence, resulting in a subtle blending of the locally
changed area. The new Strict Adjustments ensure there’s no visible bleeding over the edges, while still
maintaining natural and seamless blending with the adjacent areas.

WHEN TO
MICRO ZONE - DEFAULT MICRO ZONE- STRICT
USE

1 SAME AS ‘ADJUSTMENT’ IN OLDER VERSIONS NEW IN V1.2 AND UP

BLEED MORE OVER THE EDGES AND ARE ALMOST NO BLEEDING OVER THE EDGES BUT
2
MORE SUBTLE AND FLUENT STILL VERY SUBTLE TRANSITIONS

IDEAL FOR SMALLER AREAS WITH LOTS OF

IDEAL FOR LARGER AREAS OR ORGANIC
DETAILS WHERE MORE ACCURACY IS DESIRED.
3 SHAPES WHERE FLUENT TRANSITIONS ARE
E.G. PORTRAITS, ARCHITECTURE, STILL LIFE
PREFERRED W. ROUGH SELECTIONS
DETAILS W. MORE STRICT SELECTIONS
OVERVIEW UPDATES/NEW FEATURES FOR ARTISAN PRO V1.2 [3] PRO only

3 NEW ‘LOAD AND OPTIMIZE MASK’ PRESETS

New in V1.2 and up are 3 ‘load and optimize mask’ presets. This is a separate feature that is intended to
be used when a manual adjustment is required independent of any other adjustment feature in Artisan
PRO. What this feature does is to optimize a mask before using the mask for an adjustment such as
darkening or even replacing a background or object in such a way, it prevents the occurrence of halos or
other fringing around the edges of a building or other objects. The feature does this before using a mask
for any type of adjustment in an organic and natural way. What it doesn’t do is removing fringes or halos
after the mask has been used for an adjustment. The idea behind this is that no matter how accurate a
mask is, whenever the contrast is pushed for example, halos or other fringing will always show up. Since
this optimization feature does its optimization before an adjustment is applied, there will be no deleting,
cloning, blurring, smudging or other manipulation of pixels. It only optimizes the mask for more natural
results, and hence less to no correction after the fact.

3 PRESETS - DEFAULT | LESS | MORE

The recommended preset to use is the ‘Default’ preset as this will result on average in the
best optimisation. If this doesn’t turn out to be sufficient (after applying and using the mask
and then checking the result) then use ‘More’ or if it is too much to your taste, use ‘Less’. Of
course, the better the original input mask, the better the result. This optimization feature
cannot optimize a mask that is too sloppy, it only optimizes the edges in such a way the
transition from masked object to its surrounding area is natural with a minimum of fringes.

SEE NEXT PAGE FOR AN EXAMPLE…

 OVERVIEW UPDATES/NEW FEATURES FOR ARTISAN PRO V1.2 [4] PRO only

HOW TO USE ‘LOAD AND OPTIMIZE

MASK’ PRESETS
1. Open a photo in Photoshop CC with the
panel loaded.
2. Create for example a curves adjustment
layer with a layer mask, adjust the curve
to your liking or load a layer with the
background, perhaps a sky, you want to
replace.
3. Click ‘Default’ and it asks now for a mask
to be loaded. See red arrows.
4. Load the selection/mask you’ve created
before, or go back and create one first
and then save it before you load it with
the optimisation preset.
5. The mask is now optimized and ready to
be used. In my example I’m filling the
layer mask with a gradient tool to reveal
the darker sky from the layer beneath the
active layer with the mask.

NOTE 1:
Mask optimization is only intended for
optimizing so-called ‘hard masks’ and not
‘soft masks’ like luminosity masks. That
would defeat the purpose.

NOTE 2:
You can save the optimized mask if you
prefer to, (it’s a nice way to make ‘before and
after comparisions’ or re-use it later), but it is
not recommended to optimize the optimized
mask again!
CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE FOR THE RESULT…
 OVERVIEW UPDATES/NEW FEATURES FOR ARTISAN PRO V1.2 [5] PRO only

EXAMPLE RESULT 1
Notice the fringing
indicated by the red
arrows in and around the
very small cables of the
Brooklyn Bridge. The
original mask was
already very good but it
was impossible to make
a perfect mask. After
optimization of the mask
even the fringing around
the smallest cables on
the left are almost
completely gone.

CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE FOR MORE EXAMPLE RESULTS…

 OVERVIEW UPDATES/NEW FEATURES FOR ARTISAN PRO V1.2 [6] PRO only

EXAMPLE RESULT 2
Again, notice the fringing
indicated by the red
arrows along the edges
of the buildings. The
original mask was very
accurate but can’t be
perfect. It results in halos
and jagged edges that
usually need to be
removed manually with
for example a clone tool
or by smudging it. Since
the mask was optimized
before using it,
correction of the halos
after the fact, wasn’t
necessary and the
darker sky was applied
in a subtle and natural
way without any fringing.
 OVERVIEW UPDATES/NEW FEATURES FOR ARTISAN PRO V1.2 [7] PRO only

UPDATED SMART LINEAR WITH PRE-CREATED MASKS FEATURING BUILT-IN MASK OPTIMIZATION
If you want to use an adjustment using the darkening/lightening presets while using a pre-created hard mask then now clicking any of the D(arkening) or L(ightening) presets will trigger a
window that asks you to load a pre-created mask, and then automatically optimizes the mask with the ‘Default’ preset of the ‘Load and Optimize mask’ section. Fringing will now be substantially
excluded compared to the previous version of Smart Linear with pre-created mask. See for more info on using Smart Linear with pre-created masks further down this Quick Reference Guide.

NO OPTIMIZATION (V1.1) - D3 PRESET BUILT-IN OPTIMIZATION (V1.2) - D3 PRESET

 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

PHOTOSHOP CC2015.5 AND HIGHER ONLY

WINDOWS AND MacOS

8GB RAM MINIMAL IS RECOMMENDED

JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LARGER THE FILE

THE MORE IT AFFECTS THE PERFORMANCE

 INSTALLATION

B&W ARTISAN PRO/LITE COME WITH A QUICK INSTALLER

FOR WINDOWS AND MacOS

INSTALL BY CLICKING THE .PKG FOR MAC OR

.EXE INSTALLER FOR WINDOWS

PLEASE READ THE INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS

 RECOMMENDED IMAGE REQUIREMENTS
THE HIGHER THE QUALITY, THE BETTER
B&W ARTISAN PRO AND LITE ARE INTENDED FOR THE CONVERSION AND POST
PROCESSING
OF HIGH QUALITY IMAGE FILES TO GET THE MOST OUT OF IT.
THE HIGHER THE QUALITY OF THE IMAGE FILE, THE BETTER THE RESULT

HIGHER RESOLUTION FILES = BETTER RESULTS

THE PANEL IS OPTIMIZED FOR POST-PROCESSING IMAGES BETWEEN 25 AND 100MP.
THE MOST CONSISTENT RESULTS WILL BE OBTAINED WITH FILES OF 50-70MP

JPG FILES ARE NOT RECOMMENDED

USING JPG FILES IS NOT RECOMMENDED WHEN GOING
FOR VERY ACCURATE ADJUSTMENTS, SIMPLY BECAUSE THE NATURE OF JPG FILES
IS SUCH THAT THEY CAN’T HAVE ACCURATE DETAILS AND CONTRASTS.
 TRANSLATE YOUR VISION DIRECTLY TO A B&W IMAGE
WITHOUT EXTENSIVE PHOTOSHOP KNOWLEDGE
IN AN INTUITIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL WAY

STATE OF THE ART B&W EDITING TECHNIQUES AT YOUR FINGERTIPS THROUGH EASY PRESETS
 WHAT IS B&W ARTISAN PRO [1]

[1] A PURE BLACK AND WHITE CONVERSION AND POST-PROCESSING PANEL - NOT A FEATURES PANEL
Unlike most, or perhaps all, other panels, B&W Artisan Pro is a pure post-processing panel, not a features panel. Even more, it is
the only B&W only panel available now, based on years of innovation and experience of its designer Joel Tjintjelaar.

[2] THE COMPLETELY REDESIGNED SUCCESSOR TO THE OLDER B&W FINE ART QUICK ADJUSTMENTS PANEL
B&W Artisan Pro is the successor of the older B&W Fine Art Quick Adjustments panel, with an entirely new design that takes the
best of the old panel and combines it with a new and innovative approach towards digital B&W editing that is aimed at making
B&W editing less technical and more intuitive and artistic. At the same time the name has changed for a more suitable name.

[3] TRANSLATE YOUR ARTISTIC VISION TO A TECHNICALLY SOPHISTICATED IMAGE, WITHOUT EXTENSIVE
PHOTOSHOP KNOWLEDGE IN A HIGHLY INTUITIVE AND ARTISTIC WAY
Its goal is to effectively translate your personal artistic vision to a B&W image, with just a minimum of Photoshop knowledge and
experience. No more steep learning curves and years of practice are needed to create sophisticated B&W images for which
normally advanced knowledge of technically correct B&W processing techniques and knowledge of Photoshop were needed.
 WHAT IS B&W ARTISAN PRO [2]

[4] EACH PRESET REPRESENTS A SEQUENCE OF SOMETIMES OVER A 100 ADVANCED PHOTOSHOP STEPS
B&W Artisan Pro is a panel that uses Photoshop as a ‘host’ to introduce new features, through easy to use presets, that aren’t
readily available in Photoshop. Each preset triggers a specific sequence of steps with combined advanced PS features and also
‘hidden’ PS features. Each preset sometimes consists of more than hundred different steps, in a way that reflects Joel Tjintjelaar’s
signature style, craftsmanship and knowledge to render a non-destructive and artistic resulting black and white. Except for the
‘Easy access buttons’ no preset represents a feature that is directly available in Photoshop.

[5] BUILT-IN STATE OF THE ART B&W POST-PROCESSING TECHNIQUES: FREE-FORM LOCAL ADJUSTMENTS
This new panel doesn’t use the basic PS tools like dodging and burning, curves, levels or Photoshop’s built-in B&W conversion
and adjustment features to adjust grey tones and alter contrasts. Instead, a new and advanced way of linear adjustments that
directly affects the luminance value of a tone, with a high degree of control imposed by the presets, has been developed. The
Linear Adjustments are accurate, predictable and proportionate adjustments, that work on a local level by indicating target areas
in the photo, in free-form style with a lasso tool for example. Also available are the so-called Basic Adjustments that work on a
global level (the entire canvas). The Micro-Zone Adjustments also work as local adjustments within free-form indicated target
areas, but only affect the tonal values within an indicated tonal zone for even more precise adjustments.

[6] AUTOMATED INTEGRATION OF LUMINOSITY MASKS BEHIND THE SCENES

The use of luminosity masks plays an important role in how the new panel operates, but the user doesn’t need to know how to
create luminosity masks, how to correctly use them and how to correctly evaluate them. The latter is something even many
advanced Photoshop users don’t do, and usually skip that part. In my approach, the correct evaluation of luminosity masks plays
the most important part. The presets in this panel create, evaluate and apply the luminosity masks automatically behind the
scenes when they’re triggered.
HOW DOES B&W ARTISAN PRO RELATE TO MY PERSONAL,
MANUAL B&W WORKFLOW
People who are familiar with my personal B&W workflow, also known by the name of iSGM, will perhaps ask themselves if this
panel requires knowledge of my workflow or if it replaces my workflow.

The answer is that you don’t need to have any knowledge of my personal B&W workflow, but having knowledge of my workflow is
of additional value when using this panel as it will give solutions for situations that software, including this panel, cannot solve.
Usually these are situations that have an artistic angle or are of a very specific nature.

The goal of this new panel was to create a panel that could replace my B&W workflow that, even though it gives you a maximum of
control over a photo, is actually very time-consuming and not the recommended way of working if you’re working on a photo that
requires less control. Photos like street photography or portraits for which you only want minimal and quick editing, for example.
But also landscapes that don’t benefit from intricate selections but more from a loosely handled and almost impressionistic and
artistically more direct approach. That’s where this panel comes in.

Of course I couldn’t automate my entire workflow for every given situation, and build it into a panel as that would require the
inclusion of AI and machine learning. And even if that was possible for me, it remains dubious to what extent, AI should make
artistic decisions, or if you should even be dependent of such AI decisions.

Nevertheless, I’ve created a panel that in terms of results comes very close to the accuracy with my B&W workflow when it comes
to architecture. But the panel actually exceeds what I can do with my workflow when it comes to other photography genres where
you don’t need that level of accuracy: the editing not only becomes much faster but also feels and looks more natural and
basically by-passes the technicalities of a B&W workflow and PS and makes working with it more artistic without needing to know
more than knowing how to start up Photoshop.

In short, it can be used without any other knowledge of my workflow, other methods or even Photoshop.
GENERIC TIPS AND FEATURES [1]
PRO feature

LITE feature

TIP
REMOVABLE LAYERS TO UNDO ADJUSTMENTS
This tip applies to all adjustments made with this panel: if you don’t like
the adjustment, then simply remove the layer by standing on the layer
with the adjustment and then click on the ‘Delete layer’ preset in the
panel, as each new adjustment will be applied to a new layer with the
name of the adjustment. The example below shows the adjustments
applied to an image with the corresponding names of the adjustments.
Undoing the adjustment of ‘Subtle Lighten Zone 6-7’ for example, is
then just a matter of deleting that layer with the corresponding name.
GENERIC TIPS AND FEATURES [2]
PRO feature

LITE feature

TIP
ADJUSTMENT INTENSITY SLIDERS
There are two main Adjustments in B&W Artisan Pro that feature
Adjustment intensity sliders to increase/decrease the intensity of the
adjustment:
1. Basic Adjustments
2. Toning

All other Adjustments in this panel don’t feature the Adjustment intensity
sliders.

Pressing one of those buttons will show a live-preview of the adjustment

that will change accordingly with the increase or decrease of the slider.
Once one of the adjustment or toning presets is activated, all other
buttons will be de-activated, except for the slider and the ‘Apply’
and ‘Cancel’ buttons. If what you see on the preview isn’t to your liking,
then change it with the slider, or hit Cancel. Otherwise, click Apply and
it will result in a layer with the adjustment.

Both Cancel and Apply will re-activate all other buttons so you can
proceed with editing your image. All other buttons will remain
deactivated until the Apply or Cancel button is pressed but you can still
work in PS outside of the panel. So please be aware of this.
GENERIC TIPS AND FEATURES [3]
PRO feature

LITE feature

TIP
2 NEW EASY ACCESS BUTTONS V1.1 (MAY 2018)
Starting from v1.1 from May 2018, the Easy Access buttons have been
extended with a Merge layer and Merge All Layers button for quick and
easy merging down of layers instead of right clicking with the mouse.
A QUICK OVERVIEW
 MAIN MENU

TOP DOWN WORKFLOW:

1. Start off with the B&W Conversion
2. Go back and forth between Advanced Adjustments and Micro Zone Adjustments
to tweak to your liking (local and precise adjustments)
PRO full 3. Finish off the tonal and contrasts tweaking with the Basic Adjustments (global
BASIC ADJUSTMENTS ADJUSTS TONAL RANGE, CONTRAST AND
adjustments)
TONAL AREAS ON A GLOBAL LEVEL (THE ENTIRE CANVAS)
LITE limited 4. Optionally: finish off the final B&W image with a single toning or a split toning.
Note: after the B&W conversion you can also go to Basic Adjustments first if your
image is severely lacking contrasts, highlights or shadows. And then follow the
PRO full sequence recommended above.
ADVANCED ADJUSTMENTS WORK ON A LOCAL LEVEL WITHIN
SELECTED, FORM-FREE, TARGET AREAS
LITE limited

SIMILAR TO ADVANCED ADJUSTMENTS, THE MICRO ZONE

PRO only ADJUSTMENTS WORK ON A LOCAL LEVEL WITHIN FORM-FREE
TIP
SELECTED AREAS, BUT ONLY AFFECT SPECIFIC TONAL VALUES.
LUMINOSITY MASKS:
The additional luminosity masks feature, is only there as an additional feature for the
more advanced photographer, who additionally prefers to do some tweaking
manually: it is a bonus feature and not essential in the overall use of the panel.
 MAIN MENU

PRO feature EASY ACCESS

BUTTONS
LITE feature

LINKS TO HOMEPAGE, EMAIL, PRO feature

MANUALS AND YOUTUBE VIDEO
DEMOS. LITE feature

BUTTON TO THE MANUALS IN THE ‘CLOUD’ - CHECK REGULARLY

FOR UPDATES. THE VIDEO TUTORIAL AND OTHER
DOCUMENTATION ARE ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THIS BUTTON
 RECOMMENDED WORKFLOW IN A NUTSHELL
GLOBAL LOCAL LOCAL GLOBAL GLOBAL
ADJUSTMENT ADJUSTMENT ADJUSTMENT ADJUSTMENT ADJUSTMENT

PRO full PRO full PRO only PRO full PRO full

LITE limited LITE limited LITE limited LITE limited

1.B&W CONVERSIONS 2.ADVANCED ADJUSTMENTS 3.MICRO ZONE ADJUSTMENTS 4.BASIC ADJUSTMENTS 5.TONING
Convert the color image by An adjustment that works on a An even more sophisticated Correct contrasts or tonality by This is obviously optional but if you
applying one of the presets. local level within selected target adjustment that also works on a using one of these presets. The use it, use it at the very end of your
Neutral is recommended. If you areas. Apply an advanced local level within target areas. presets in this section are workflow and certainly don’t use
already have a B&W image, like a adjustment by either using a pre- Apply a micro zone adjustment considered to be final tweaking on this as a starting point or in the
scanned B&W negative or a digital created mask or use quick, and then alternate between micro a global level, and are less middle of your workflow.
achromatic file, then skip this step. approximate selections with the zone adjustments and advanced sophisticated than Advanced
lasso tool and click one of the adjustments if necessary and Adjustments and Micro Zone
presets depending on what you want. Adjustments
 10 B&W CONVERSION PRESETS, INCLUDING ABSOLUTE PRO full

NEUTRAL + 2 NEW FINE ART PRESETS LITE limited

The B&W Conversion section is the starting point for

your B&W workflow. Choose a neutral conversion or
Please refer to the addendum in this guide for an try out the other conversion presets to get some
impression of all the B&W conversion presets inspiration. Recommended is to go with a neutral
with examples conversion and then adjust with the Advanced and
Micro Zone Adjustments. Of course you can use the
other presets as a starting point too.

ARTISAN LITE only has the Neutral and Fine Art

Subtle preset

LITE LIMITED - only the features highlighted with the

LITE limited
LITE colours are available for the LITE version

2 New fine art presets compared to the

The neutral preset is absolutely neutral in that
previous panel. These are complicated
it only removes the colours and leave the
presets as they consist of more than 100
luminance value as it is
steps.
 B&W CONVERSION AND PROCESSING - WHAT YOU NEED
TO KNOW

TIP
Even though there are 10 B&W conversion presets, the recommended
preset to start off your workflow in B&W is the Neutral preset. This is
because the neutral preset is an absolute neutral preset that only
removes the color without changing the luminance values. The
luminance values in B&W post processing are EQUAL to the tonal
values, or tonality of a B&W tone. Therefore this Neutral preset results in
an elimination of unwanted and additional interpolation in the overall
process of image making. Please refer to the graphic representation to
understand the moments where interpolation can occur and why it is
important to avoid those moments.

All other presets, except for Neutral and the Fine Art SE1 and Fine Art
SE2 presets that are based on neutral conversions, are not neutral and
are partly the result of using color channels to obtain a B&W tonality.
Using color information to obtain a B&W tonality is considered to be
interpolation since also the luminance values will be changed.

Note also that I make a distinction between ‘Conversion’ and ‘Post

processing’. Conversion only refers to the conversion of a color image
to a B&W image, while post processing refers to the process after
conversion: the tonal and contrast adjustments.
 16 NEW HALF LUMINOSITY MASKS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO PRO full

TOTAL 35 LUMINOSITY MASKS FOR MORE CONTROL LITE limited

Luminosity masks are extremely powerful tools that NOTE: the automatic creation of luminosity masks in
are a ‘hidden’ feature in Photoshop and ‘invented’ and this panel is offered as an ‘extra’ for users who like to
popularised by Tony Kuyper. Good use of luminosity refine their images manually with luminosity masks.
masks will enable you to fully control light and You don’t need to use luminosity masks to make
shadows in an image by isolating them through effectively use of this panel nor do you need to
targeted masks that are created based on the light have any knowledge on the use or creation of
intensity of the pixels. The creation of those masks are luminosity masks.
automated with this panel.

LITE LIMITED - only the features highlighted with the

LITE limited
LITE colours are available for the LITE version
Luminosity masks presets for full values: click + to
create, click - to remove

16 new half values for even more control over the

PRO only
image.

PRO feature 11 zone mask presets that create masks based

on the 11 zones within a scale of 256 gray values
LITE feature if you need less precision than luminosity masks

Zone masks have similar characteristics as luminosity

masks but are based on the tonal zones in an image. TIP
Zone masks will give a good representation of a tonal If you need to know more on luminosity masks and how to use
zone but are not 100% accurate: they’re them effectively, then I can warmly recommend to visit my
approximations. Personally I prefer to work with tutorials on my website www.bwvision.com or purchase my
luminosity masks than with zone masks since they B&W video tutorials or the eBook From Basics to Fine art that I
give more control over a specific tonal zone as one co-wrote with Julia Anna Gospodarou, to learn about
zone mask can consist of several luminosity masks. luminosity masks and my complete B&W workflow
 PRO full
TONING [1] LITE limited

Please refer to the addendum in this guide for an Toning an image is always the last step in the B&W process. That has always
impression of the available split tones with been like this in the analog darkroom and I would strongly recommend it too for
examples. the digital darkroom. I would encourage using one of the split toning presets I’ve
created in this panel as they can add a bit more of emotion or symbolism to your
B&W image. I would especially encourage this since the split tones generated
by this panel are far more sophisticated and subtle than the split tones that
There is a total of 22 toning presets: an addition of 12 new toning presets you’d usually find in other software. The split tones in this panel are generated
compared to the previous panel. Since there are many new toning presets the through a method I’ve developed that will ‘split’ out the 3 major zones (shadows,
toners have been split up in three sections: mid-tones and highlights) through several luminosity masks with which I can
1. Basic single toning precisely control the amount of color and its ‘visual weight’ in the targeted tonal
2. Split toning inspired by color palettes in cinematography area in the photo. The differences are subtle but the final print will benefit from it.
3. Split toning inspired by the colours evoked when listening to music.

7 single toning including 3 Selenium, 3 Sepia

and Van Dyke Brown
Within the basic toning section there are 3 new
presets: Selenium 3, Sepia 3 and Van Dyke
Brown

LITE limited LITE LIMITED - only Sepia 3 is available for LITE

 PRO full
TONING [2] LITE limited

Cinematic Split tones - these are luminosity mask

Please refer to the addendum in this guide for an based and generated split tones, from which the
impression of the split tones with examples. Cinematic 1, 2 and 3 are based on colour harmony
theories with the accent on split-complementary
schemes. The Gotham, Sin City, Matrix and Alien are
based on the motion pictures with those names.

LITE limited LITE LIMITED - only Gotham is available for LITE

7 Cinematic split tones, new is Alien with a

turquoise/green/blue color palette.
 PRO full
TONING [3] LITE limited

Please refer to the addendum in this guide for an Split tones Music - these are also luminosity mask
impression of the split tones with examples. based and generated split tones. These were the
colours that I imagined when listening to the songs
the split tones represent.

LITE LIMITED - only Into the Mystic is available for

LITE limited
8 new split tones inspired by music LITE
 PRO full
BASIC ADJUSTMENTS FOR GLOBAL CORRECTIONS LITE limited

For an exact description of what these features Basic Adjustments - the basic adjustments were
do, please refer to the addendum with Basic known in the previous panel as Quick Adjustments
and were the only way to adjust tones and contrasts.
Adjustment features.
Basic adjustments are now a secondary feature in the
new panel and are meant for global corrections of
tonal range, contrast and tonal areas.

TIP
Basic adjustments are meant to do some ‘rough and
quick’ global corrections (compared to previous
versions of this panel), in the initial stage of the B&W LITE LIMITED - only the features highlighted with the
LITE limited
process or in the final stage, before applying split- LITE colours are available for the LITE version
tones.

Level based adjustments

Curves based adjustments
 THE NEW ADVANCED ADJUSTMENTS ARE ‘SMART’ LOCAL PRO full
ADJUSTMENTS WITH A LINEAR AND PROPORTIONATE LITE limited
EFFECT
Advanced Adjustments - local adjustments tools that
TIP are not based on traditional methods for altering
Advanced adjustments are smart local
tonalities and contrasts like curves/level/color-sliders/
adjustments, ideal to darken or lighten
dodge&burn/gradient mapping etc. The adjustments
larger areas in your photo without
are precise and predictable linear adjustments that
needing to worry that it will not blend and
will darken or lighten each tone within a targeted area
match with the adjacent areas in your
with exactly the same percentage. There are only two
photo - it always has a smooth and
values that it will not change: pure black (0,0,0) or L0
‘smart’ transition due to the method of
and pure white (255,255,255) or L255. These will have
darkening or lightening applied.
to be corrected manually. The idea behind this is that
you should actually avoid having these values within
your photo, and if they’re present in your photo, it
should only be for a very small percentage. The
presets will only work if you’ve indicated a target area
within the canvas, with the quick selection tool or the
SMART LOCAL ADJUSTMENTS USING ‘QUICK FREE-FORM lasso tool for example. It is not meant as a global
SELECTIONS’ adjustment tool and will therefore not work if the entire
canvas is selected. For this purpose, use the Basic
adjustments
LITE LIMITED - only D1 and L1 are available for the
LITE limited
LITE version

SMART LINEAR ADJUSTMENTS FOR USE WITH PRE-CREATED

MASKS
 PRO full

LOCAL ADVANCED ADJUSTMENTS -SMART LINEAR LITE limited

SMART LINEAR ADJUSTMENTS - BEFORE SMART LINEAR ADJUSTMENTS - AFTER

Create a quick and approximate selection of the area (in this case the water) you I went for subtle Lighten +, indicated by the red arrow. The result is smooth, linear
want to lighten with the lasso tool for example (you could even use the rectangular and proportionate, without any unwanted or abrupt transitions to adjacent areas.
marquee tool). As you can see from the marching ants indicated by the green The adjustment is applied to a separate layer with the corresponding name,
arrow, the selection is very rough as you don’t need anything accurate. indicated by the orange arrow.

TIP TIP
When creating a quick selection, try staying Always start with the ‘softest’ adjustment like
within the outer edges of the target area, instead Lighten + or Darken +, then darken or lighten
of going over the edges. This gives better results. more to your liking.
 ADVANCED ADJUSTMENTS -SMART LINEAR WITH PRE-CREATED MASKS PRO only

SMART LINEAR ADJUSTMENTS WITH PRE-CREATED MASKS - BEFORE SMART LINEAR ADJUSTMENTS WITH PRE-CREATED MASKS — AFTER
If you’ve already created a mask or selection, like I did in this case, then you can After loading the right mask and clicking OK, the sky is automatically darkened in
select the darkening/lightening presets under smart linear with pre-created masks a linear and proportionate way. I went with Darken++ and the result is smooth and
first. I use Darken++ (RED arrow). It will then ask to load a selection (GREEN subtle. It created a layer with the corresponding change that you can remove to
arrow). I’m loading the sky as I want to darken it. undo the change (ORANGE arrow)

TIP TIP
If you have created a mask with a specific goal, like for example The use of Smart linear without masks is always preferred to the one with
adjusting the sky only in an accurate way, then it is masks if the transition of selected area to adjacent areas that aren’t
recommended to use this feature instead of Smart Linear without selected should be invisible and smooth. Obviously, it's also recommended
masks to maintain a ‘hard’ transition to adjacent areas. if you don’t have any pre-created masks.
 THE NEW MICRO ZONE ADJUSTMENTS ARE ‘SMART’ LOCAL
ADJUSTMENTS BASED ON LUMINOSITY MASKS TO TARGET PRO only

ISOLATED TONES
TIP Micro Zone Adjustments - micro zone adjustments
Micro zone adjustments are also smart are also smart linear and local adjustments that work
Local Adjustments but are more refined within free-form selections to indicate target areas, but
and bleed out less in adjacent (not- they will only affect tones with a specific value, within
targeted) areas than Advanced the selected area. This is ideal for darkening/
Adjustments, and will only affect the lightening details within a specific area, or to darken/
tones in a range, indicated by the user, lighten larger areas without affecting other tones or
within the local, target area. This range of details in that designated area. This is possible by
tones has to be activated first. So it’s ‘activating’ zones that represent the tonal values you
recommended to first do the Advanced want to change in a targeted area. See the next pages
adjustments for the draft version. Then for more details or the accompanying video tutorial
refine it with Micro Zone adjustments and how this works in practical situations. Just like the
then go back and forth between those Advanced Linear Adjustments, the Micro Zone
two features. adjustments are not meant for global adjustments (use
Basic Adjustments for global corrections) and will
therefore not work if the entire canvas is selected.

EACH ZONE REPRESENTS 1 OR MORE LUMINOSITY

MASKS
 MICRO ZONE ADJUSTMENTS - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FIRST PRO only

2. Tonal value and zones - Ansel Adams propagated

1. Tonal value - What you first need to know, if you
the use of zones. There are 11 zones from zone 0
didn’t know already, is that when you work in Black
(darkest shadows) up to zone 10 (lightest highlights),
and White there are 256 different tones or luminance
The 256 different tones in a B&W image are
values from (0,0,0) which is pure black, to
distributed equally (as much as possible) over 11
(255,255,255) which is pure white. (x,x,x) is the RGB WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FIRST, IF YOU DIDN’T tonal zones which visually looks like the image below.
value and notation in which all 3 values are exactly the ALREADY KNOW L128 or mid-gray is therefore in zone 5 and L10 in
same. If one value differs from the rest, like (x,y,x) then
zone 0. Contrary to what most people think zone 0 is
it’s not pure black and white but a color no matter how
not pure black. Only L0 in zone 0 is pure black and
desaturated it looks. Since in B&W all three RGB
should be avoided as much as possible. Besides
values are the same we also denote them as L0 for
most printers cannot print correctly below L10. You
(0,0,0) or L188 for (188,188,188). Subsequently L0
can see a lot of detail when working with other values
represents the darkest tone in a B&W image and L255
in zone 0. The same goes for zone 10. Only L255 is
the lightest tone. We will use this notation in this guide
pure white so try to avoid that, but L240 in zone 10 for
and you will see that notation in the panel too.
example is actually very usable.

VALUES L0-L23 L24-L46 L47-L69 L70-L92 L93-L115 L116-L138 L139-L161 L162-L184 L185-L207 L208-L231 L232-L255

ZONES 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
 MICRO ZONE ADJUSTMENTS - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FIRST PRO only

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FIRST, IF YOU DIDN’T

ALREADY KNOW

Tonal zones and values and areas - the relation

between tonal values or luminance values and zones
and tonal areas can also be visualised as in this
picture. You will see that the panel uses all these
phrases.
 MICRO ZONE ADJUSTMENTS - HOW TO USE (1) PRO only

EXAMPLE - let’s say that I only want to lighten the

area in the sky behind the glass pyramid at the Louvre
without affecting the rest. Before I can do that I need
to take some tone samples first to know what zone to
activate.

STEP 1 - First go to the ‘i' icon indicated in Red under

Micro Zone Adjustments or navigate to Window>Info
and check info. The info box will appear indicated in
Green. When hovering with my mouse over the area
indicated with the green arrow, the RGB values
indicate L160 (160,160,160). Take a few more
samples of the target area and take the average. I’m
going with L160..
 MICRO ZONE ADJUSTMENTS - HOW TO USE (2) PRO only

STEP 2 - now you’ve determined the tonal value of the STEP 3 - now click on Activate zone 6-7, this will
area you want to adjust go to Micro Zone adjustments result in temporary alpha channels (luminosity masks)
and click on the dropdown list. Select the zone or area that you might want to remove after you’re finished by
from the list that covers the value. In this case I’ll go clicking on Deactivate. In any case, you don’t need to
with Zone 6-7, dark lights as L160 is in that range. do anything with those luminosity masks, nor do you
Then click on Activate zone need to know how they work. The panel takes care of
this.
 MICRO ZONE ADJUSTMENTS - HOW TO USE (3) PRO only

STEP 4 - now you’re ready to do the adjustments. By STEP 5 - repeat the adjustment as many times as you
clicking the Lighten or Darken presets indicated in like by quick selecting a target area each time before
RED. Since the micro zone adjustment is a feature that you hit ‘darken’ or ‘lighten’. Note that the panel will
is most powerful within a targeted area, after all for always ‘remember’ the last created selection. This
more global adjustments the Advanced Adjustments selection will remain active until you replace it with a
is recommended, it is recommended to select a target new target area selection. Each new adjustment will
area with one of the selection tools just roughly. See create a new layer with the adjustment. If you don’t
the GREEN arrow pointing at a very quick and rough like the adjustment, then just remove the layer and try
selection. a different target area or tonal zone after deactivating
the active zone.

TIP
I like to make a rough selection with the
lasso tool. If you want the adjustment to
take effect on the entire image, then just
‘Select All’ via Select>All or hit CMD+A.
If you don’t indicate a target area initially,
then the whole canvas will be selected.
After you’ve indicated a target area, the
panel will remember the last created
selection and this selection will remain
active till you change the target area with
a new selection.
 MICRO ZONE ADJUSTMENTS - HOW TO USE (4) PRO only

STEP 6 - after you’re done with the adjustments and

you’re happy with the results, deactivate the active BEFORE AFTER
tonal zone indicated in red below. Otherwise your
channels panel will fill up with redundant temporary
channels that will only increase your file size. See the
Before and After and the affected area in blue, after
applying ‘Subtle Lighten'
 PRO feature
MORE TUTORIALS AND INFO ON YOUTUBE LITE feature

MORE (VIDEO) TUTORIALS CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING ON THE

VIDEO BUTTON IN THE BOTTOM ROW OF THE PANEL, THAT WILL
REDIRECT YOU TO THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST WITH ARTISAN PRO FULL
DEMO VIDEOS. THE ARTISAN PRO PLAYLIST CAN BE FOUND HERE AND
THE PLAYLIST WILL CONTINUOUSLY (MONTHLY) BE UPDATED WITH
NEW DEMO VIDEOS. NOTE THAT THE VIDEOS ON DISPLAY ON
YOUTUBE ARE BASED ON THE ARTISAN PRO VERSION V1.0 AND
THEREFORE HAVE A DIFFERENT USER INTERFACE AND ALSO LESS
FEATURES. VIDEOS WITH THE NEW FEATURES FROM V1.2 WILL BE
ADDED IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS TO COME. OTHER VIDEO
TUTORIALS CAN BE FOUND VIA THE MANUALS BUTTON IN THE
‘CLOUD’

YOUTUBE CHANNEL WITH ARTISAN PRO VIDEO TUTORIALS

BUTTON TO THE MANUALS IN THE ‘CLOUD’ - CHECK REGULARLY

FOR UPDATES. THE VIDEO TUTORIAL AND OTHER
DOCUMENTATION ARE ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THIS BUTTON
LEGAL DISCLAIMER AND COPYRIGHT

© Copyright 2018 - bwvision.com - Joel Tjintjelaar

Nothing in this document may be reproduced and distributed without the explicit written consent
of the author of this panel and all included documents that come with the B&W ARTISAN PRO
and B&W Artisan LITE panel. Also note that the method of adjusting tonalities and contrasts with
this panel ‘the algorithm’ and the concept of smart linear adjustments and micro zone
adjustments as presented in this form are the intellectual property of the author.