Making an Image Background Black and White on Canva

(Last Updated On: August 14, 2023)

In this article, I’m going to guide you through the process of making an image background black and white on Canva.

This is a simple yet effective technique that can add a dramatic effect to your images, keeping the main subject in color while the background turns monochrome.

Two Easy Techniques to Try

I’ll be demonstrating two straightforward techniques that you can experiment with when making an image background in black and white on Canva.

Technique 1: Using Canva Pro or a Background Removal Tool

The first technique I’m going to share requires either a Canva Pro subscription or a background removal tool.

Start by selecting an image with a background you’d like to convert to black and white while keeping the main subject in color.

For this demonstration, I’ll use a photograph of a woman in blue clothes that is looking into a camera.

STEP 1: Click on the image and choose the “Edit Photo” or “Edit Image” option. Scroll down until you encounter the “Filters” section. Click on “See All” to explore more options.

STEP 2: Here, you’ll find several monochrome filters. Choose one that suits your image. For this demonstration, I’m going to use the Slate filter.

STEP 3: Once you apply the filter, the entire image will turn black and white. But don’t worry, we’ll soon bring back the color to our woman.

STEP 4: Use the same image again and align it perfectly with the black and white version. The subject of the image should be in color and positioned exactly over the Slate layer.

STEP 5: Once they’re aligned, click on the image again and select the “Edit Photo” or “Edit Image” option. Then, find the “Background Remover” feature.

STEP 6: Click on it, and let Canva do its magic. Note that the Background Remover is a premium feature available to all Canva Pro users. If you don’t have a paid plan, you can use any free online tool to remove the background.

STEP 7: After a few moments, Canva will remove most of the background. This feature isn’t perfect for all images, but it does a pretty good job in most cases. Once it’s done, click on “Apply.”

As you can see, the woman remains in color, while the rest of the image is black and white.

This technique may have minor imperfections with more complex images, but overall, it’s a fantastic effect.

Technique 2: Using the New Canva Image Editor

The second technique involves using the new Canva image editor. I’ll use the same photo for this demonstration.

STEP 1: First, set the photo as a background image, then click on it and select the “Edit Photo” or “Edit Image” option. If you haven’t used it before, you’ll need to activate the new Editor interface.

STEP 2: Once activated, select the Adjust option and then click on the Select Area and choose the Background option.

STEP 3: Next, scroll down until you spot the Color section, and reduce the Saturation. Then, find the Light section and adjust the Contrast to your preferred value.

STEP 4: With this, we’ve made the background black and white. Now, return to Select Area and adjust the Foreground.

STEP 5: In this section, modify the saturation and contrast to make the foreground image truly stand out.

As you can see, using this second technique is a great way to achieve a black and white background while keeping a foreground image in color.

I hope this guide has been helpful in making an image background black and white on Canva.

Don’t hesitate to experiment with different images and have fun creating unique visuals.

FAQs

What’s the process to turn an image’s background to black and white in Canva?

Turning an image’s background to black and white in Canva is quite straightforward. You can utilize the monochrome filters found under the “Filters” section. Alternatively, the new Canva image editor offers options to tweak the saturation and contrast of the background to achieve the black and white effect.

Is it possible to convert an image’s background to black and white on Canva without a Pro subscription?

Absolutely! You can certainly convert an image’s background to black and white on Canva even without a Pro subscription. However, keep in mind that certain features, like the Background Remover, are exclusive to Canva Pro users. If you’re not a Pro user, you can always resort to any free online tool to remove the background.

How can I use the new Canva image editor to turn an image’s background to black and white?

To use the new Canva image editor, you first need to set your photo as a background image. Then, click on it and select the “Edit Photo” or “Edit Image” option. Once you’ve activated the editor, select the Adjust option, then click on the Select Area and choose the Background option. From there, you can reduce the Saturation and adjust the Contrast to your liking.

How can I maintain the color of the main subject while turning the background to black and white on Canva?

To keep the main subject in color while turning the background black and white on Canva, you need to use the same image again and align it perfectly with the black and white version. The subject of the image should be in color and positioned exactly over the Slate layer.

What does the Background Remover feature on Canva do?

The Background Remover is a special feature available to all Canva Pro users. It allows you to eliminate the background of an image, which is particularly useful when you want to turn the background black and white while keeping the main subject in color.

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