Everyone loves a freebie, so we’ve made a roundup of 40 of the best black and white Photoshop actions available for free.
Do you love 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.
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 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+ YouTube 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:
How to Build Custom Photoshop Actions For Your Photography Workflow
- Unlikely Friends: Grain, Noise, and Sharpening
- How to Post-Process Photos in the Right Order for the Best Possible Image
- New Course: Give Your Digital Images a Black and White Film Look
- Getting Started With Photoshop Actions
- In Defence of Presets: 5 Reasons to Automate Your Post-Production Workflow
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 selection 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.
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.
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.
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.
21. NoiseLess Black and White
High-contrast effect with the option to add grain. 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.
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.
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.
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 dark, grainy effect with plenty of atmosphere.
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.
- 100+ Super Awesome Adobe Photoshop Actions From Envato Elements
- 50 Amazing & Cool Photoshop Action Tutorials
- 28 Best New Photoshop Portrait Actions
- How to Create Pop Art Photo Effects With Photoshop Actions
- How to Create a Vintage Photo Filter With Photoshop in 60 Seconds
- How to Make a Soft Light Photoshop Action to Create a Backlight Effect
- How to Create a Dark Photo Effect Action for Beginners in Adobe Photoshop
- How to Create Vintage Photos With Faded Effect Photoshop Actions
- How to Create a Double Exposure Photoshop Action
- How to Create a Color Dust Action in Adobe Photoshop
- 50+ Best Free Photoshop Actions of 2022
- 20 Best Photoshop Actions With Cool Art Effects for Portraits
- 30 Best New Photoshop Actions & Photo Effects for 2022
Looking for Lightroom Presets? Why not check out the following articles and recommendations to learn more:
- 100 Free Lightroom Presets — Instant Filters for Photo Styles
- 10 Top Instagram Look Presets and Color LUTs for Lightroom CC and Mobile
- How to Fade Your Adobe Lightroom Presets (for Precise Control)
- 40 Free Black-and-White Presets for Lightroom to Convert Photos to Monochrome
- How to Create Toolkit Presets in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
- How to Create a Preset in Adobe Lightroom in 60 Seconds
- Top 3 Film Emulation LUTs (Look Presets) to Instantly Change Picture Styles
- 20 Top Lightroom Presets for Photography
Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Janila Castañeda. Janila is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+.
