Black and white conversion in Photoshop

[pschlute]

I am asking for advice again, this time regarding b+w conversions in Photoshop

Assume I process my RAW file to produce a 16bit TIFF in Adobe RGB colour space. Image is still a colour one.

Then in Photoshop I use a Black and White adjustment layer to alter the tones of the image. I flatten the image layers and now want to save it as a jpeg.

I see that I can both:

1. Save it as a .jpg file retaining the AdobeRGB colour profile OR

2. Use Image/Mode/Grayscale to convert the file to Grayscale, then save as .jpg

Is there any advantages/problems using either method ?

Many thanks

[Manfred M]

What are you planning to do with the finished image?

If you are planning to print it on an inkjet printer, your first workflow is fine. If you are planning to share it on the internet, convert to sRGB before posting. Computer screens are sRGB devices and work best using this type of data. You actually do not need to flatten the image when you convert to a JPEG; Photoshop takes care of the layer data for you.

The second approach, I see no particular use for unless you are looking at printing on a B&W offset press.

[pschlute]

Thanks for the advice Manfred.