Producing Stunning Visuals Through Black And White Photography

Most photographers start in color. Their shots, whether portraits, landscapes, or candids, are taken with rich tones that inject life into their photos. But such shots are merely a starting point. Many photographers begin to explore different styles and techniques, and eventually find themselves experimenting with black and white. This field of photography represents a unique challenge.

For a lot of photographers, shooting in black and white means taking their shots in color, and stripping them with software. While this method will work, there is much more involved with creating compositions that are truly stunning in black and white. This article will offer a few tips. The suggestions that follow will help you produce shots that capture the attention and imaginations of your viewers.

Not all scenes will work without color. Certain elements must exist for a given setting to photograph well in black and white. For example, there must be tonal contrast available since you won't be able to use color to differentiate between features within your shot.

The right type of lighting is also important. You want lighting that creates stark shadows, and reveals details that might otherwise go unnoticed when using color.

Also, consider the shape of your subject, and how it might appear in black and white. Does it offer sufficient variance in texture? If you're shooting portraits, what features of your subject might display particularly well when color is eliminated?

Try to visualize your scene in black and white before taking your shot. Your eye will become more trained as you gain experience. You'll eventually notice elements that suggest a given scene will be more effective in color. As a side note, your camera likely has a black and white setting. Don't rely on it. Instead, train your eye.

 This item bears repeating in more detail. Contrast is one of your most effective tools when shooting black and white photography. It produces lines, which create shapes. The juxtaposition between dark and light emphasizes shapes and patterns that are more difficult to recognize when color is used. These elements help your audience form a connection with your subject. They spark curiosity and encourage a closer look.

ISO reflects your image sensor's sensitivity to light. The higher the setting, the more noise you'll introduce into your shots. A high ISO can be useful when you're taking photographs in low-light situations, or when your shooting action shots. Otherwise, reduce it. While unintended noise is always bothersome, it is particularly so in black and white shots where every detail is emphasized.

A black and white landscape is usually interesting, even if the sky offers nothing to the composition. As long as light is available, there will be shadow to produce contrast and shapes. That said, if the sky is "alive," your landscape photographs will be even more engaging to your audience.

The rippled appearance of cirrocumulus clouds, or the billowing effect of cumulus clouds, introduce additional shadows in the background. A dark, ominous cloud cover can infuse your scene with mood and ambiance. Other formations can make your landscapes seem alive. The sky and cloud cover may have a similar effect in color images, but their impact is greater with black and white shots especially in large-scale, like customized posters.

 A photo taken in RAW format requires post production work. The data is processed on your computer rather than with the software in your digital camera. The advantage is that your computer has far more processing capacity, and thus gives you more control of the final product. The drawback is that you'll need special software for the task. There's also more work involved.

If you're content with the quality of the images produced by your camera in JPEG format, there's no need to switch. If, however, you want to make your shots appear even crisper, try taking them in RAW format.

Black and white photography gives you a chance to create fresh images from familiar scenes. Experiment. Try different techniques. You'll discover the medium offers an entirely new canvas on which to create your shots.