Black-and-white photographs - or monochrome images in general - have their own charm, a special impression. Such photographs work with reduced means, foregoing the sometimes "garrulous" color. Instead, shapes, gradients, contrast and brightness nuances come more into focus.

It is therefore important to pay increased attention to these factors as early as at the shooting stage. Since most cameras initially capture the digital images as color images - and there is much to be said for leaving it at that - it is important to perform an optimal conversion to black and white in digital post-processing. There are numerous solutions for this, which the book describes in detail, because not every process is suitable for every image. Further processing after conversion is essential, such as increasing contrast or selective post-processing such as regionally limited lowering and raising of tonal values. Finally, once converted, optimal black-and-white or monochrome printing requires sophisticated know-how, which the authors comprehensively explain.

The book is aimed at the ambitious photo amateur with basic knowledge of image processing. Adobe Lightroom and (optionally) Photoshop are used as tools. The techniques shown can also be easily transferred to other tools.

The third updated edition takes into account the advancements of Photoshop CC and Lightroom Classic since the second edition and adds more working sessions.