How to Make Images and Pictures Black and White in Canva

Now that we’re about to enter a new year with 2022 fast approaching, it’s important to treasure the memories we’ve had.

Hence, most of us keep galleries and galleries of photos — printed and digital — to remind us of what has been. 

But, if you want to add more nostalgia to your photos, converting your images to black and white’s the way to go.

And, if you’re using Canva, you don’t have to worry one teeny bit about how you’ll achieve this incredible effect.

 

How to Make Images and Pictures Black and White in Canva

First, you can drag the saturation slider to -100. You can also add a Greyscale or Street filter to achieve the black-and-white effect. You can also use the Duotone effect to turn pictures and images black and white by changing the Highlights into white and the Shadows into black.

 

Creating Black-and-White Images and Pictures in Canva: 3 Nifty Methods to Choose From

If you’ve been paying attention earlier, there are 3 options for converting a full-color photo into a black-and-white one.

So, sit back and continue reading for you to add another Canva photo editing technique to your arsenal.

 

Lower Photo Saturation aka Desaturation

Step 1: Once you’re on the editor page, select a photo you’d like to use for your design.

You can opt to import images through the Uploads tab or select a stock photo from the Photos tab.

Step 2: Click and drag the selected image to make it appear on the canvas.

Step 3: Tap the photo to activate the photo editing toolbar. Then, head to the Edit image tab and click it.

Step 4: On the left panel menu, scroll down until you see the Adjust panel. Click the See all option to view all the Adjustment settings available.

Step 5: From the 13 adjustment sliders you’ll see, tap on the slider of the Saturation panel.

Drag the slider to -100. If you’re satisfied with the look of the image, leave it as is and carry on with your other editing tasks for your project.

Step 6: If, however, you want to give your image more depth, you can tweak its contrast and brightness as well.

In the same adjustment menu, drag the Contrast and Brightness sliders to make your photo have stronger silhouettes and starker lines.

There’s no one-click rule here. You can just fiddle with the sliders until you see the photo in the effect that you want to see it in.

But, increasing the brightness and lowering the contrast levels of the photo gives a more aged appearance.

If you increase the contrast and lower the brightness, you’ll end up making the background more obscure.

 

Add the Greyscale or Street Filter

Step 1: Select a picture either by browsing through stock images in the Photos tab or by uploading pictures through the Uploads tab.

Step 2: Click and drag the image you’ll use to the blank canvas. Then, resize and adjust its positioning accordingly.

Step 3: Tap on the photo once to activate the editor toolbar. Then, select the Edit image button next.

Step 4: From the editing options that appear in the menu, scroll down until you see the Filters category. Tap the See all option to view all the filters available.

Step 5: Scroll down until you see the Greyscale filter. Click on it.

Yet, if you prefer a stronger black-and-white effect, you can opt to use the Street filter instead.

And, with that single click, you’ve already transformed a previously full-color photo into a black-and-white one.

 

Use the Duotone Effect

Step 1: Select a photo either from Canva’s Photos gallery or upload images through the Uploads tab on the left-side menu of the editor page. 

Whatever image you choose to use, click and drag it towards the canvas, resize, and adjust its positioning accordingly. 

Then, tap on the photo once to activate the editor toolbar. 

Step 2: Once the editor toolbar’s activated, tap on the Edit image button. You’ll then see the left-side menu appear. 

Scroll down until you see the Duotone effect. Tap on whatever Duotone color you choose. 

If you haven’t installed the Duotone photo effect on your menu, head to the More tab and scroll down until you see the Duotone option. 

Click on it, tap the Install button so Canva will add it to your list of photo effects you can use. 

Step 3: Once the Duotone effect’s applied to your photo, tap on the Adjust menu found in the middle of the Duotone color you selected. 

Step 4: In the Duotone settings menu, change the Highlights and Shadows colors used. 

For Highlights, change this to white, then select black for the Shadows. 

And, just like that, you’re able to make an image black and white through the Duotone feature. 

Other than turning pictures black and white, you can also use Duotone for changing the colors of an uploaded image.

Perhaps, from among the 3 options presented, you’ll find the Greyscale filter to be the simplest one to use.

But, if you’re vying for more freestyle and creative way of turning your photos into black and white, lowering the saturation’s the way to go.

Whatever option you use, the important thing is you convert your images and pictures into black and white.

And that’s just one of the reasons making Canva so great for both newbie and expert graphic designers!

 

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Make Images and Pictures Black and White in Canva

 

Is there a hex code that I can copy and paste to apply the same black and white filter for other photos?

Like the color hex codes, there are filter hex codes you can use as well. You can find the filter hex code below the Adjustment settings menu. Just save this hex code somewhere so you can quickly paste it into the filter code box the next time you’ll need it.

 

How do I remove the filter I applied on a photo if I want to make further adjustments?

To remove a photo filter, tap on the picture before clicking the Edit Image button. Head to the Filters section, and in the succeeding menu that appears, select the None tile. This will automatically remove the filter you added to your image.

 

Are there photo filters exclusive to Canva Pro users?

Unlike the background remover, photo filters in Canva can be used by everyone regardless of whether they’re using the Free or Pro account of the tool.