Web Development: 50 Free Photoshop Actions for Black and White Photography (And How to Make Your Own)

50 Free Photoshop Actions for Black and White Photography (And How to Make Your Own)

Everyone loves a freebie, so we’ve made a roundup of 50 of the best black and white Photoshop actions available for free.

Premium Black and White Photoshop Actions

Before you browse our extensive list of Photoshop action freebies, here are some of our favorite black and white actions for Photoshop CC from Envato Elements. Subscribing to Elements means you have unlimited access to these and much more, so you can download to your heart’s content.

Now, let's take a look at the premium black and white Photoshop presets:

1. Pinhole Photography Photoshop Actions (ATN)

Are you a fan of vintage black and white photography? Recreate pinhole color grading techniques with this carefully crafted set of matte black Photoshop actions, created by a team of award-winning photographers.

2. Black White Photoshop Actions (ATN)

This set includes 31 black and white Photoshop actions for professional photographers or graphic designers. Bring your images to life using powerful tools and professional methods. This pack also works perfectly for vintage black and white portraits.

3. Carbonium - Black & White PS Actions (ATN)

Try this collection of 16 non-destructive, black and white Photoshop actions, from vintage to contemporary. Play with these black and white Photoshop presets and create stunning black and white action photos.

4. Black and White Professional Actions for Photoshop (ATN)

Create professional-looking black and white action photos with plenty of punch, and save time while you’re doing it. These black and white actions for Photoshop CC are what you need.

5. Charcoal Matte Black Photoshop Action (ATN)

Charcoal is a set of three black and white Photoshop presets that give your images the retro/vintage look of black and white photography.

How to Make Your Own Black and White Photoshop Actions

If you want to know how to make black and white photos pop and to get into making your own actions, Melody Nieves has a great article that covers the basics of creating Photoshop actions as well as offering some really helpful tips.

If, however, you’re completely new to actions, Kirk Nelson’s course, Building Your Own Actions in Adobe Photoshop, is the best place to start.

Harry Guinness's article on actions for custom photography workflows adds refinements for the particular needs of photographers. Jackson Couse's tutorial on process order gives insight into the best way to structure your photography post-production workflow.

As for black and white action photos, we've got tutorials and courses aplenty.

50 Free Black and White Adobe Photoshop Actions

Next up, after some useful tutorials on how to make black and white photos pop, it's time to explore some Photoshop black and white actions free to download.

Aged Black and White: Convert your images to vintage black and white photography, giving them a subtle vintage or aged feel.
5 Free Black & White Photo Actions: A pack of five actions, including a high-contrast black and white Photoshop action and faded effects.
Old Black and White: Get a stark and effective black and white treatment in this black and white preset Photoshop.
Bold Black and White: This Photoshop action will turn your color photos into bold and impressive black & whites with its high-contrast black and white Photoshop action.
Black and White: A set of six actions, including effects with a blue tinge and a white glow. A color pop black and white Photoshop action.
Black and White Effect: A high-contrast black and white converter with a matte black Photoshop effect.
Vintage Black and White: A matte black Photoshop, retro look for your photographs. A nice black and white preset for Photoshop.
Black and White: This action converts your pictures to B&W using a technique by Russel Preston Brown. There are good Photoshop black and white actions free to download.
Black and White Photoshop Action: A free sample from a set of 10, quickly convert your images to black and white action photos.
Silver: Perfect for giving your landscapes a beautiful, silvery tone. A nice color pop black and white Photoshop effect.
Old Black and White: An aged, black and white effect with a subtle matte finish. Try this matte black Photoshop effect.
Black and White Sepia: A black and white converter with a slight dark-gold twist. If you're looking for a color pop black and white Photoshop action, this is it.
20 Free Black and White Photoshop Actions: A set of 20 stylish free black and white actions for Photoshop CC, including film noir and selenium effects.
37 Free Photoshop Actions: Among this pack are some cracking black and white Photoshop actions, including an ultra-matte effect and a high contrast black and white Photoshop action.
Pure Black and White: An adjustable, clean black and white action to help you learn how to make black and white photos pop.
Black and White: A solid black and white converter, which is a nice black and white preset for Photoshop.
Black and white action set: If you like vintage black and white photography you're going to love this pack.
The Classic Black and White: Try this high-contrast black and white Photoshop action that comes with three awesome tones.
Black and White Action: A grainy, fashion-inspired black and white action.
Bold Black and White: Easily convert your images to bold black and white.
B&W Conversions: A pack of six black and white converters with varying effects.
Black N White Tones: Photoshop action freebies with seven different black and white tones.
Great Black and White Effect: A stylized black and white effect.
Veiled Monochrome: A matte black Photoshop vintage look.
Black and White Effect: A low-contrast, matte look in this black and white preset for Photoshop.
Blackwhite Effect: A matte look with focused areas of high contrast.
Black and White Effect: A stylish, monochrome converter.
24 Black and White Adobe Photoshop Actions: Get these 24 free black and white actions for Photoshop CC and transform your pictures.
NoiseLess Black and White: High-contrast effect with the option to add grain.
Detailed B-n-W: A set of actions designed to pop detail from your photograph.
Black and White Noisy, High Key Effect: A black and white action with a high-key look and added noise.
Black and White Retro: A retro, film look, great for vintage black and white portraits.
Black and White Effect: A low-key, matte effect in this black and white action.
HolgaRoid Generator BW: Mimics the look of a black and white Polaroid so you can create vintage black and white portraits.
White and Black: A pack of actions including subtle color overlays, a nice color pop black and white Photoshop effect.
Cold Tones: A pack of actions designed to convert to black and white with the option of added cool tones. These are good free black and white actions for Photoshop CC.
Black and White Action: A high-contrast black and white effect.
Black and White Actions: A pack of six actions to convert your images to black and white.
BW Photoshop Actions: Three actions of varying tones and contrast. Try these black and white actions for Photoshop CC
Black and White Action: Obtain a high-contrast or matte finish in this black and white preset for Photoshop.
Photoshop Action #09: A simple, high-contrast black and white preset for Photoshop.
Black and White Wedding: 20 professionally designed black and white actions.
Shifted: Convert your photos to black and white with a hint of color tone.
Film Noir: An old, cinematic look for vintage black and white photography.
Black and White Effect: A set of four options, including a greyscale effect.
Black and White Studio Actions: This pack of free black and white actions for Photoshop CC is perfect for vintage black and white portraits.
Dramatic: A clean, dramatic look for your black and white photos.
The Dark Jungle Effect: A dark, grainy effect with plenty of atmosphere.
Vintage: A vintage look with a sepia tone for your vintage black and white portraits.
Black and White: A simple color pop black and white Photoshop action with an optional touch of blue.

Explore More Awesome Photoshop Tutorials

I hope you've enjoyed discovering these Photoshop black and white actions free to download. This article shares some of our favorite Photoshop action freebies, but if you'd like to get more actions or just learn about Photoshop in general, then here are some links you might find useful.