I'll create a series of Photoshop actions that will convert color images to match your brand guidelines' specific black and white aesthetic. Here's a comprehensive system:

## Master Action Set: "COOEE_BW_Brand"

### Action 1: "COOEE_Base_Conversion"

**Step-by-Step Instructions to Record:**

1. **Duplicate Background Layer**
    - `Ctrl+J` (Cmd+J on Mac)
    - Rename to "Working Layer"
2. **Advanced B\&W Conversion**
    - Add Black \& White Adjustment Layer
    - Set custom channel mixer values:
        - Reds: 40%
        - Yellows: 60%
        - Greens: 40%
        - Cyans: 60%
        - Blues: 20%
        - Magentas: 80%
    - This preserves natural tones while emphasizing texture
3. **Gentle S-Curve (Highlight Protection)**
    - Add Curves Adjustment Layer
    - Create subtle S-curve:
        - Input: 64, Output: 50 (shadows)
        - Input: 192, Output: 205 (highlights)
    - Ensure no clipping in highlights
4. **Save State**
    - Create snapshot: "Base Conversion"

### Action 2: "COOEE_Contrast_Detail"

1. **Local Contrast Enhancement**
    - Duplicate current layer
    - Filter > Other > High Pass (Radius: 1.5-2.5px)
    - Set blend mode to "Overlay"
    - Reduce opacity to 15-25%
2. **Texture/Clarity Boost**
    - Add new layer
    - Filter > Render > Clouds (set to 50% gray first)
    - Filter > Noise > Add Noise (2%, Uniform, Monochromatic)
    - Set blend mode to "Soft Light"
    - Opacity: 10-20%
3. **Micro-Sharpening**
    - Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask
        - Amount: 60%
        - Radius: 0.8px
        - Threshold: 2

### Action 3: "COOEE_Grain_Unify"

1. **Brand Grain Application**
    - Create new layer: "Brand Grain"
    - Fill with 50% Gray
    - Filter > Noise > Add Noise
        - Amount: 3%
        - Distribution: Uniform
        - Monochromatic: Checked
    - Set blend mode to "Overlay"
    - Opacity: 3-5%
2. **Grain Size Consistency**
    - Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur (0.3px)
    - This softens harsh digital noise to film-like grain

### Action 4: "COOEE_Optional_Ring" (Conditional)

1. **Subtle Circular Falloff**
    - Create new layer: "Brand Ring"
    - Make circular selection (center on organizing nucleus)
    - Feather: 150-300px (depending on image size)
    - Fill selection with white
    - Deselect
    - Set blend mode to "Soft Light"
    - Opacity: 2-4%
    - Optional: Use layer mask for precision

### Action 5: "COOEE_Final_Polish"

1. **Deep Black Enforcement**
    - Add Levels Adjustment Layer
    - Set black point to Input: 15
    - Ensure true blacks without crushing detail
2. **Midtone Clarity**
    - Add Curves Adjustment Layer
    - Slight midtone lift: Input 128, Output 135
3. **Output Preparation**
    - Flatten for web delivery (or keep layered master)
    - Convert to sRGB if needed

## Advanced Conditional Actions

### Action Set B: "Subject-Specific Adjustments"

**For Termite Mounds/Macro Detail:**

- Extra High Pass sharpening (Radius: 3px, Overlay, 30%)
- Shadow/Highlight adjustment (Shadows: +15, Highlights: -5)

**For Aerial Canopy:**

- Selective masking for foliage/void contrast
- Graduated filter from top (slight darkening)

**For Bark/Texture Studies:**

- Enhanced clarity via duplicate layer + "Linear Light" blend mode
- Targeted sharpening with layer mask


## Quality Control Checklist Action

### Action 6: "COOEE_QC_Check"

This action creates visual guides:

1. Creates histogram display layer
2. Adds clipping warning overlay
3. Places grid overlay for composition check
4. Saves checkpoint before final export

## Export Actions

### Action 7: "COOEE_Export_Suite"

Creates multiple output versions:

- Web Hero: 2400×1350 WEBP + 1600×900 JPEG fallback
- Social Portrait: 1080×1350 PNG
- Grid Library: 2048×2048 PNG
- All with consistent grain/contrast profiles


## Recording Tips

1. **Record with Relative positioning** for different image sizes
2. **Use percentage values** rather than absolute pixels where possible
3. **Include stops** for manual adjustment of ring positioning
4. **Save frequently** during recording for complex actions

## Batch Processing Setup

Create a **Droplet** from your master action for:

- Consistent application across image sets
- Automated folder processing
- Metadata preservation


## Usage Workflow

1. **Run COOEE_Base_Conversion** first (always)
2. **Assess subject type** → choose appropriate conditional action
3. **Run COOEE_Contrast_Detail** and **COOEE_Grain_Unify**
4. **Manually position ring** if using COOEE_Optional_Ring
5. **Apply COOEE_Final_Polish**
6. **Run COOEE_QC_Check** before export
7. **Execute COOEE_Export_Suite** for deliverables

This system ensures every image maintains the documentary-lean, high-contrast aesthetic with consistent grain structure and tonal characteristics specified in your brand guidelines, while allowing for subject-specific refinements.
<span style="display:none">[^1]</span>

<div style="text-align: center">⁂</div>

[^1]: Art-Direction-and-Photography.md

