I've seen over and over again here on Deviantart people who have taken stock photography and altered them. Particularly taking pictures that are in color and flushing the color from them and giving them an obvious goth look to them. Looking at the originals, then looking at the new versions of them....I cannot for the life of me figure out how they did it. When I try and make changes to wash out the picture I lose quality in the edges or the tones or any one of a number of things. I guess I'm going to have to just keep practicing.