Tips For Black & White / Monochrome / Gray Photography

Black & White Photography offers a unique perspective on many subjects. Removing Colour brings out the hidden details, textures & shapes.

 Black & White/Monochrome/Gray Photography means that a colour is placed on a neutral background. Light Colours become highlights and dark Colours become dark tones. The difference between these shades is called tonal Contrast.

1. Black & White photographs are timeless. It enhances emotional substance and have disposition of making photos look more artistic
2. Shooting in Black & White can focus the viewer’s attention
3. One must learn what schemes work well in Black & White as Black makes White Brighter. Understand the 5 zones of Black & White i.e. Black, Shadows, Mid Tones, High Light & White
4. Black & White is not just removing colour from colored photography by using software
5. Shoot in RAW. This format provides greater flexibility for post processing table
6. Visualize image in B/W & pay attention to Lines, Shadows & Shapes
7. Focus on Character, Expression, Emotions & Soul in the portrait image
8. Shoot Black & White during dull & low contrast weather situations
9. Give your image some Silver Effex
10. Pay special attention to Image Details, Noise & Tonal Contrast. Find wide range of varying tone of Grays
11. Use Polarizer filters i.e. neutral density filters
12. Watch for Texture & Patterns, use simple background & foreground
13. Long exposures love Black & White. Try & experiment long exposures to compensate the image
14. Constantly check your histogram when you frame an image to see if there is full range of tonality available
15. Capture the movements with curves, shoot with lower angle
16. Use & Select Black & White mode in your DSLR Camera to capture the best. For Film roll Camera, use Black & White film with ISO 125, 320 or 400 depends upon shooting range
17. Shoot in lowest possible ISO i.e. range of 100 to 200
18. Use f range between f/4 to f/11 to get better results
19. Use shutter speed range between 1/60^th to 1/250^th of second based on light available
20. Keep the White Balance on Auto mode
21. Use bracketed shots either one or a few stops in either direction to get perfect exposure
22. Shoot in HDR mode, it adds more dimension and exaggerates the range available, draws more contrast & highlights to the image
23. Light is the key. Flat light has lot to offer. Use artificial lighting to highlight details, shapes, and high contrast. Use light meter to your advantage
24. Use Graphics; it makes for bigger Drama, it makes visually powerful image
25. Adjust relations to light. Move an angle between 45° and 90° to heightened sense of volume by placing useful shadows on the far side of your subject
26. You can use selective colours to highlight points of Interest in post processing
27. Black & White Photographers needs to experiment with monochromatic & unique way of shooting to master the best
28. During post processing you can complete your image with final adjustments such as crop, Darken edges, Noise Reduction & Darken Problematic Areas
29. Follow your heart & soul while shooting Black & White. Must reflect back on your emotions & feelings while shooting the timeless pictures. Make it more personal
30. Black & White Photography is elegant & beautiful way of photographing nature. It has potential to make photographer at his best, using creativity