BLACK AND WHITE WORLD

BY:     RAZAQ VANCE

 Black and white photography is more classic and artistic . Colors fascinate but not in all situations. Some time colors distract you from the main subject and delicacy of the subject. This is especially true in documentary photography and portraits. Black and white photography no doubt has its own magic and now gaining back its lost status in digital era. Here are some tips to get   the magic of black and white photography.

1)               SHOOT AT A NORMAL MODE

        Almost every DSLR have black and white mode. Don’t use that. Shoot in color as you can use the picture in color if you are unable to get desired result in B&W.

 2)      SUBJECT MATTER

Keep in mind while shooting that you will convert the shot in black and white. Human activity in a dramatic light gives excellent results in B&W. But keep the composition simple. Few elements in a good action and light would produce more pleasing affect.  

 3)      LANDSCAPE IN BLACK AND WHITE

One can hardly imagine a landscape without colors. Its true most of the time but water bodies like shimmering streams and lakes look more mystic and mysterious in B&W.  

 4)      GREY WEATHER – SHOOT IN BLACK AND WHITE

Grey weather disappoints you in color. So convert the pictures in black and  you will end up with more moody pictures.

 5)      DRAMATIC LIGHT

 Angular evening and morning lights produce stunning B&W shots. Even in city life, early morning shoots of daily activity looks more artistic in B&W.

   6)      FOG AND MIST- TIME FOR BLACK AND WHITE

 I prefer to opt for B&W in foggy and misty conditions because it produce a grainy effect and gives the shots a more pleasing. 

 7)      USE SOFTWARE WISELY

 Photoshop is best in the market for processing images. Don’t use black & white options in the image- adjustment Manu, rather go to image – calculations in the drop down manu and you will get more contrast with good tonal range. Also try gradient map in B&W colors.

 8)      USE BURNING AND DODGING

                                                                                                           When we were doing B&W in dark rooms we just burned and dodge the prints to get        desired results. Rule is the same in your digital darkroom- burn the highlights and dodges the shadows. You will end up with excellent tonal range 

9)      ADD SOME NOISE IN BLACK AND WHITE 

 Add some noise black and white shots especially in documentary and portraits. That can be added by using “ad noise” filter in PS. It will give your images  grainy film effect and amore artistic touch. 

 10)   LEARN TO SEE THE WORLD IN BLACK AND WHITE

Imagine the subjects in black and white. This practice will make you able to decide for which subject you should go for B&W. See lot of black and white images on web and magazines  to increase your vocabulary.    

The post TEN TIPS TO GET THE MAGIC OF BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY appeared first on Razaq Vance.