40 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 40 of the best black and white Photoshop actions available for free.

Vintage Black & White Retro Photoshop ActionVintage Black & White Retro Photoshop ActionVintage Black & White Retro Photoshop Action
Create amazing vintage black and white photography using PSD actions like this .

Do you black and white vintage photography? Start experimenting with different actions and create the effect you want with your own photos. We’ll also share some useful resources below. 

Top Black and White Photoshop Actions From Envato Elements for 2022 

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. 

Black and White Photoshop Actions on Envato ElementsBlack and White Photoshop Actions on Envato ElementsBlack and White Photoshop Actions on Envato Elements

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

1. Pinhole Photography Photoshop Actions (ATN)

Pinhole Photography Photoshop ActionsPinhole Photography Photoshop ActionsPinhole Photography Photoshop Actions
Pinhole available on Envato Elements

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)

Black White Photoshop ActionsBlack White Photoshop ActionsBlack White Photoshop Actions
available on Envato Elements

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 .

3. Carbonium Black & White PS Actions (ATN)

Carbonium - Black  White PS ActionsCarbonium - Black  White PS ActionsCarbonium - Black  White PS Actions
Carbonium available on Envato Elements

Try this 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)

Black and White Professional Actions for PhotoshopBlack and White Professional Actions for PhotoshopBlack and White Professional Actions for Photoshop
Black and White Pro available on Envato Elements

Create professional- 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 Matte Black Photoshop ActionCharcoal Matte Black Photoshop ActionCharcoal Matte Black Photoshop Action
Charcoal available on Envato Elements

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 Install Black and White Photoshop Actions

Are you just getting started with Photoshop actions? Practice makes perfect. The more you work with black and white Photoshop actions, the best results you’ll get.

Check out this full guide to Photoshop Actions by David Appleyard. Learn more tricks and tips from all our Photoshop tutorials on our Envato Tuts+ channel. Start with the basics and learn How to Install Photoshop Actions:


Obsessed with black and white vintage photography? We’ve got plenty of black and white actions and tutorials for you: 

40 Free Black and White Adobe Photoshop Actions

After some useful tutorials on how to make black and white photos pop, it’s time to explore some free Photoshop resources. Looking for black and white Photoshop actions for free to download? Here’s a for you:

1. 5 Free Black & White Photo Actions

A pack of five actions, including a high-contrast black and white Photoshop action and faded effects. You’ll get five black and white Photoshop actions in one download.

2. Old Black and White

Get a stark and effective black and white treatment in this black and white preset Photoshop. 

3. Free Black and White Photoshop Actions 

A free sample from a set of 10, quickly convert your images to black and white action photos.

Free Black and White Photoshop ActionFree Black and White Photoshop ActionFree Black and White Photoshop Action
Free Black and White Photoshop Action

4. Six Free Black and White Photoshop Actions

A set of six actions, including effects with a blue tinge and a white glow. A color pop black and white Photoshop action.

5. Black and White Effect

A high-contrast black and white converter with a matte black Photoshop effect. Create fashion vintage black and white photos with this action.

6. Vintage Black and White

Looking for a retro vintage black and white photography effect? To get a matte black Photoshop effect, this action gives a retro look to your photographs. A nice black and white preset for Photoshop.

7. 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.

8. Free Photoshop Action: Silver

Perfect for giving your landscapes a beautiful, silvery tone. A nice color pop black and white Photoshop effect.

9. Old Black and White 

An aged, black and white effect with a subtle matte finish. Try this matte black Photoshop effect.

10. 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.

37 Free Photoshop Actions37 Free Photoshop Actions37 Free Photoshop Actions
37 Free Photoshop Actions

11. Pure Black and White 

An adjustable, clean black and white action to help you learn how to make black and white photos pop.

12. Black and White 

A solid black and white converter, which is a nice black and white preset for Photoshop.

13. Black and white action set

If you like vintage black and white photography, you’re going to love this pack. 

14. The Classic Black and White

Try this high-contrast black and white Photoshop action that comes with three awesome tones.

15. Veiled Monochrome

Looking for black and white Photoshop actions with a twist? Get a matte black Photoshop vintage look with this download. 

Free Veiled Monochrome Photoshop ActionFree Veiled Monochrome Photoshop ActionFree Veiled Monochrome Photoshop Action
Free Veiled Monochrome Photoshop Action

16. Great Black and White Effect

A stylized black and white effect. Try this one out and start experimenting with black and white photos with a touch of color.

18. Black and White Effect

Do you love black and white vintage photography? Try this action. Get a low-contrast, matte look in this black and white preset for Photoshop.

17. Black N White Tones

Photoshop action freebies with seven different black and white tones.

19. Blackwhite Effect

A matte look with focused areas of high contrast.

20. Free Black and White Effect

Looking for a retro vintage black and white photography effect? This is a stylish, monochrome converter.

Free Black and White EffectFree Black and White EffectFree Black and White Effect
Free Black and White Effect

21. NoiseLess Black and White

High-contrast effect with the option to add . This is one of the best free black and white Photoshop actions you’ll find online.

22. Detailed B-n-W

A set of actions designed to pop detail from your photograph.

23. HolgaRoid Generator BW

Mimics the look of a black and white Polaroid so you can create vintage black and white portraits.

24. Black and White Retro

A retro, film look, great for vintage black and white portraits.

25. Black and White Effect

Get low-key matte effect in this black and white action.

26. Black and White Noisy, High Key Effect

A black and white action with a high-key look and added noise. This is perfect if you’re looking for fashion vintage black and white photos.

Black And White Noisy High Key Photoshop ActionBlack And White Noisy High Key Photoshop ActionBlack And White Noisy High Key Photoshop Action
Black And White Noisy High Key Photoshop Action

27. White and Black

A pack of actions including subtle color overlays, a nice color pop black and white Photoshop effect.

28. Cold Tones

A pack of free black and white Photoshop 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.

29. Black and White Action

A high-contrast black and white effect. You could even start creating black and white photos with a touch of color.

30. Black and White Actions

A pack of six free black and white Photoshop actions to convert your images to black and white.

31. BW Photoshop Actions

Three actions of varying tones and contrast. Try these black and white actions for Photoshop CC. A great choice to create retro vintage black and white photography.

BW Photoshop ActionsBW Photoshop ActionsBW Photoshop Actions
BW Photoshop Actions

32. Black and White Action

Obtain a high-contrast or matte finish in this black and white preset for Photoshop.

33. Photoshop Action #09

A simple, high-contrast black and white preset for Photoshop.

34. Free Shifted Photoshop Action

Looking for cool and free black and white Photoshop actions? This one’s for you. Convert your photos to black and white with a hint of color tone.

Free Shifted Photoshop ActionFree Shifted Photoshop ActionFree Shifted Photoshop Action
Free Shifted Photoshop Action

35. Black and White Effect

A set of four options, including a greyscale effect.

36. Free Black and White Studio Actions

This pack of free black and white actions for Photoshop CC is perfect for vintage black and white portraits.

37. Vintage

A vintage look with a sepia tone for your vintage black and white portraits.

38. The Dark Jungle Effect

A , grainy effect with plenty of atmosphere.

Dark Jungle Effect Photoshop ActionDark Jungle Effect Photoshop ActionDark Jungle Effect Photoshop Action
Dark Jungle Effect Photoshop Action

39. Black and White

A simple color pop black and white Photoshop action with an optional touch of blue.

40. Noir Black & White Free Photoshop Actions

This is one of the best free black and white Photoshop actions you’ll find online. Easily create retro vintage black and white photography.

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, here are some links you might find useful.

Envato Elements has a wealth of Photoshop actions for you to enjoy. We have a fantastic learning guide dedicated to this topic: Learn Photoshop Actions.

If you have a little more time to spare, we have some great courses to help you become a Photoshop expert in no time.

Looking for Lightroom Presets? Why not check out the following articles and recommendations to learn more:

Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Janila Castañeda. Janila is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+.