Black and White Photography

Black and white photography is timeless and where some of the most amazing images come from and shooting for black and white  makes you think outside your usual boundaries without having a color reference frame.

Black and white images can be artistic,  stark, evocative, atmospheric or  textural and can convey mood and form with strong contrasts of light and shade and the strong shadow can enhance mood.

Black and white requires a very different mindset to color photography where color itself can define a shot and you may need to rethink how you see and frame up a possible subject with more  concentration on  texture and form, light and shade.

Monochrome photographs can be striking and dramatic with pattern, texture and contrast defining the mood and giving a depth and intensity that color can't even begin to compete.  Look for strong form too - think of angular buildings and architectural shapes in strong shadow,  the  profile of a character portrait defined by strong shadow, and make sure the tonality is not all one shade of boring grey.   Sculptural form can look pretty amazing in black and white - think textural plants, trees, and angular forms, jagged rocks, spiky cactus plants, repetitive patterns and think abstract for some incredible macro black and white images.

Experiment with some of your existing images on your computer and take a look at them in black and white in your editing program to get an idea of what sort of shot looks best in black and white before heading out into the field with your camera.