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.
- Black & White photographs are timeless. It enhances emotional substance and have disposition of making photos look more artistic
- Shooting in Black & White can focus the viewer’s attention
- 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
- Black & White is not just removing colour from colored photography by using software
- Shoot in RAW. This format provides greater flexibility for post processing table
- Visualize image in B/W & pay attention to Lines, Shadows & Shapes
- Focus on Character, Expression, Emotions & Soul in the portrait image
- Shoot Black & White during dull & low contrast weather situations
- Give your image some Silver Effex
- Pay special attention to Image Details, Noise & Tonal Contrast. Find wide range of varying tone of Grays
- Use Polarizer filters i.e. neutral density filters
- Watch for Texture & Patterns, use simple background & foreground
- Long exposures love Black & White. Try & experiment long exposures to compensate the image
- Constantly check your histogram when you frame an image to see if there is full range of tonality available
- Capture the movements with curves, shoot with lower angle
- 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
- Shoot in lowest possible ISO i.e. range of 100 to 200
- Use f range between f/4 to f/11 to get better results
- Use shutter speed range between 1/60th to 1/250th of second based on light available
- Keep the White Balance on Auto mode
- Use bracketed shots either one or a few stops in either direction to get perfect exposure
- Shoot in HDR mode, it adds more dimension and exaggerates the range available, draws more contrast & highlights to the image
- 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
- Use Graphics; it makes for bigger Drama, it makes visually powerful image
- 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
- You can use selective colours to highlight points of Interest in post processing
- Black & White Photographers needs to experiment with monochromatic & unique way of shooting to master the best
- During post processing you can complete your image with final adjustments such as crop, Darken edges, Noise Reduction & Darken Problematic Areas
- Follow your heart & soul while shooting Black & White. Must reflect back on your emotions & feelings while shooting the timeless pictures. Make it more personal
- Black & White Photography is elegant & beautiful way of photographing nature. It has potential to make photographer at his best, using creativity
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