How does one get this effect?

[1bitpaw]

The effect in question is turning a colour image - in this photo, the face - into a black and white with these heavy shadows.
One method I have played around with is changing the image into grayscale, then adjusting the brightness/contrast effects (with 'Use Legacy' checked). However, I dont know whether this is the most efficient way to reproduce this technique (perhaps a filter is involved?).
Also, once the image has been converted into the black and white form, what would be the easiest way to change the white to transparency?

Thanks in advance

 

[iDad]

you can select the white area you speak of, copy it then delete it, paste it back(it will be a new layer) then you can play around with the transparency levels, get it to where you want it save in png or gif format

 

[1bitpaw]

you can select the white area you speak of, copy it then delete it, paste it back(it will be a new layer) then you can play around with the transparency levels, get it to where you want it save in png or gif format

Yeah, I knew I had to delete it to make it transparent but I was looking for the best way to do this. At this moment I'm thinking of the magic wand tool.

Regarding my first question, do you know how to do it? Changing a coloured photo into a black and white. I remember doing this with a setting/filter where I could drag it left or right to increase/decrease the levels of black/white.

 

[SicSid]

its called ... color range ...in the selection tool. Try it...and you will understand.

 

[Teddy]

It's a retro style effect.