Black and white photograhy is a field of artistic
photography that holds a fascination for many people,
photographer and viewer alike. If done well, black and
white photography can evoke an atmosphere, or create a
sense of character in a subject that may not be so well
captured in a colour photograph.
In the age of digital photography, producing a black and
white image can be simply a matter of using software to
convert a colour image. It is a matter for your own
judgement whether this is effective for your photographs.
Sometimes a photo you think will make a great black and
white photo will disappoint; sometimes a photo you never
imagined will surprise you.
However, most serious photographers will tell you that the
best black and white photos are taken when the photographer
deliberately sets out with black and white images in mind.
This creates an entirely different mindset in terms of how
you choose and approach your subject. You may, for example,
start to see potential in subjects you would never normally
consider for colour photography.
If you have never had a serious go at black and white
photography, here are a few simple tips to help you get
started.
Black And White Photography Tip #1. Choosing A Subject.
Some subjects lend themselves to colour but are not nearly
so effective in black and white. Sunsets, for example, are
really all about colour, so rarely produce a good black and
white image. Colourful birds, flowers, fashion...there are
many times when the only logical approach is to shoot your
subject in colour. On the other hand, some subjects are
ideally suited to black and white photography.
Because this is an 'old-fashioned' medium, it often works
well with old-fashioned subjects. Rustic items like old
farm equipment, a tumble-down shack, an old wooden fence
can all be great subjects for black and white photos.
When photographing people, age can also be a factor. A
close-up portrait of an aged face showing all the lines and
creases of their years on earth can have much greater
impact in black and white.
This can only be a short article, so these examples are
just the tip of the iceberg. You will find many great
subject once you start thinking in black and white.
Black And White Photography Tip #2. 'Seeing' Your Subject
In Black And White. When you first approach your subject,
you need to imagine how it will look without colour. Try to
look at it in terms of lines and shapes, shadows and
contrasts. You will begin to see your subjects in a whole
new light. You may even find yourself zooming in on a
particular feature, or photographing the subject from an
angle you might never have considered in the past. One
thing is for sure; once you get into the 'black and white
headspace' your camera will express the character of the
subject in an entirely different way.
Black And White Photography Tip #3. Use The Light To
Enhance Impact. Because a black and white photo relies so
much on shadows to define shapes and details, your approach
to lighting can make or break an image. As a nature
photographer, I often photograph black and white photos
quite differently from colour photos.
You have probably heard the rule that the best landscape
photography is done early or late in the day when the sun
is low and the light is soft and even. Well, in black and
white photography I often look for just the opposite. To
create better definition in a subect I will often take my
photos through the middle part of the day, to create
heavier shadows to emphasise the lines and shapes in the
composition. I am also more inclined to take photos looking
directly toward the sun, to produce silhouettes that make
the most of trees, windmills and other strong shapes
against the sky.
Earlier I mentioned a portrait of a very old person. If it
is the lines on a face that give the image its character,
you need to make sure the lighting is from an angle that
produces shadows in the creases. Thus you may be looking
for lighting in a black and white photograph that would be
considered unflattering and unsuitable for a colour
photograph.
So there you have three very simple tips for black and
white photography. Notice that they are all about the
creative approach, not about settings and camera
techniques. This is because in most ways black and white
poses no more technical challenge than colour photography.
To take better black and white photographs, you don't
necessarily need to change the way you use your camera.
Instead, you are looking to change the way you see the
subject, and how you can use light, shade and composition
to capture the character that black and white photography
has to offer.
If you are looking for a new creative challenge, I
recommend giving black and white photography a try. It may
open your eyes to aspects of your world that have never
turned you on before. Good luck and happy snapping!
----------------------------------------------------
Andrew Goodall believes that with a small amount of
guidance, anyone can become a better photographer, no
matter what sort of camera they have. Andrew's ebook
"Photography in Plain English" is a perfect place to start.
Check it out at http://www.naturesimage.com.au and while
you are there, sign up to the online newsletter for even
more tips...it's free!
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