Tips for Black and White Photography

For some people, black and white photography can lend a certain depth and additional interest to their photographs that just doesn’t exist in color. Black and white photos are often seen as more artistic, or are meant to lend some additional gravity or another layer of complexity to the image. Whatever the case, many people embarking on a new photography hobby will eventually turn to black and white images at some point. There are many ways to get more from your black and whites; these five tips will help those just starting out find their direction.

Shoot in RAW

If your camera allows you to, shoot your black and white images in RAW format. While it is possible to get beautiful monochromatic photos in JPEG format, the RAW format allows you to see your photos in black and white as you are shooting. This lets you make better corrections for composition and lighting right where you are, rather than needing to do more editing later.

Correct in Your Computer

If your camera doesn’t allow for RAW format, simply take your photos in JPEG and convert them. There is nothing wrong with converting a color photograph to black and white in your computer later, particularly if you weren’t happy with the color saturation or lighting as it was. In fact, many low-light photos can be converted successfully to black and white, while left in color they appear grainy and hard to see.

Keep Your ISO Low

When you’re shooting in black and white, the light becomes much more important because in the absence of color, it becomes much more noticeable. So when you’re shooting black and white images – or planning on converting them later – keeping your ISO as low as possible will allow you to capture the light that will make your images shine.

Look for Poor Contrast

Ever have a day where the light is too poor to shoot in color and get good results? This is the day when black and white photography makes the most sense. Black and white photos look great with poor contrast and low-light situations, so make the most of overcast or cloudy days and shoot in black and white instead of color.

Adjust Your Composition

Composition is just as important in a black and white shot as it is in color. However, because color can draw the eye to certain sections of the image, without it you need to find something else to focus on. Look for shapes, sharp contrasts, bright highlights, or shadows to frame your composition around to get more interest out of the photograph.

Go Mono

Monochromatic photos have a depth and beauty all their own. If you’ve been exploring the world of photography and have played with images in color for a while now, try out black and white to get a new perspective on your art.