How-to basics

How do I make a video black and white?

Drop the clip's saturation to zero — that's the whole conversion. In EseCut, select the clip and pull the saturation slider all the way down in the color controls; export and the video is black and white. You can apply it to one clip for a flashback feel or to the whole timeline for a full B&W piece.

The difference between 'desaturated' and 'cinematic B&W' is contrast: after removing color, raise contrast and adjust brightness so blacks are rich and highlights pop. Flat gray footage reads as a mistake; contrasty monochrome reads as a choice.

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