Black and white photography is a creative and artistic way to capture images that emphasize shapes, textures, contrasts, and emotions. To get started with black and white photography, you need a camera, a lens, and a good eye for composition. Here are some tips to help you:
- Choose a subject that works well in black and white. Some examples are landscapes, portraits, architecture, and abstract patterns.
- Set your camera to shoot in RAW format. This will give you more flexibility and control over the editing process later.
- Experiment with different filters and settings on your camera or editing software. You can use filters to enhance the tones and mood of your image, such as red, yellow, or blue filters. You can also adjust the brightness, contrast, sharpness, and grain of your image to create different effects.
- Learn from the masters of black and white photography. Study the works of photographers like Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, and Vivian Maier. Observe how they use light, shadow, perspective, and framing to create powerful images.
- Have fun and be creative. Black and white photography is a form of expression that allows you to show your vision and style. Don't be afraid to try new things and experiment with different techniques.
- Set your camera to shoot in RAW format. This will give you more flexibility and control over the editing process later.
- Experiment with different filters and settings on your camera or editing software. You can use filters to enhance the tones and mood of your image, such as red, yellow, or blue filters. You can also adjust the brightness, contrast, sharpness, and grain of your image to create different effects.
- Learn from the masters of black and white photography. Study the works of photographers like Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, and Vivian Maier. Observe how they use light, shadow, perspective, and framing to create powerful images.
- Have fun and be creative. Black and white photography is a form of expression that allows you to show your vision and style. Don't be afraid to try new things and experiment with different techniques.
Articles
B&W Photography Tips: 5 Cornerstones
Guru Shots
I typically begin each Monthly Theme Article page with an article the is pretty basic. But many photographers view B&W as a pretty basic theme: just change a photo from color to monochrome. But this article goes way beyond basics and will help you see that B&W photography is challenging but beautiful! The author explains the importance of exploring the 5 Cornerstones of true B&W photography: Contrast, Tone, Shadows, Shapes, and Texture. AND the author shares many photos of each cornerstone that will grab your attention. Start here and you will see B&W photography from a new position.
Guru Shots
I typically begin each Monthly Theme Article page with an article the is pretty basic. But many photographers view B&W as a pretty basic theme: just change a photo from color to monochrome. But this article goes way beyond basics and will help you see that B&W photography is challenging but beautiful! The author explains the importance of exploring the 5 Cornerstones of true B&W photography: Contrast, Tone, Shadows, Shapes, and Texture. AND the author shares many photos of each cornerstone that will grab your attention. Start here and you will see B&W photography from a new position.
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Complete Guide to Black and White Photography”
Spencer Cox - Photography Life
This article has lots of good ideas. It addresses the 5 Cornerstones that Guru Shots explains and adds Composition and Emotion. This article does not explain HOW to create B&W in Lightroom or Photoshop, but it goes into the same discussion as the Guru Shots with a little added history with a credit to Ansel Adams.
Spencer Cox - Photography Life
This article has lots of good ideas. It addresses the 5 Cornerstones that Guru Shots explains and adds Composition and Emotion. This article does not explain HOW to create B&W in Lightroom or Photoshop, but it goes into the same discussion as the Guru Shots with a little added history with a credit to Ansel Adams.
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How to Take Better Black and White Landscape Photos”
Spencer Cox - Photography Life
Spencer Cox - Photography Life
“When color is no longer a relevant force, your viewers eye is drawn to a new place in the image” so the key is to draw the viewers' attention. He discusses the importance of shape and contrast, shadows, mid-tones, and emotion in B&W landscape photos.
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By Andrew Gibson - Digital Photography School
A basic article that focuses on tonal contrast, simplicity and Negative Space. Good article to help you think differently.
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How to Convert Photos to Black and White in Lightroom
Andrew Gibson - Digital Photography School
Andrew Gibson - Digital Photography School
A good article to teach you how to convert your photos in LR. The conversion is fairly basic but Andrew explains a bit more than just the basics.
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This article is a somewhat simplified version of the 5 Cornerstone article with Shoot Raw, Look for Contrast Shape and Texture, Long Exposure and Filters.
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There is often some confusion about whether to have the camera turn the photo into B&W of wait and make the color-to-B&W later in LR or Photoshop. Here is an article that might help you decide.
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White with Lightroom Classic
Tim Grey
Tim Grey
And if you would like to see how to use Lightroom to modify your Black & White photo, take a look at this video that goes into real depth on how to upgrade your B&W photo.
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And if you’d like to see some great B&W examples of our backyard you might want to check out our friend Mike Jackson’s Best of the Tetons.
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60 Beautiful Winter Photos
Photo Argus
Photo Argus
And I thought this online article might give you a boost about winter photography. These aren’t all B&W's but they may give you some ideas.
B&W is always an interesting and challenging topic for our monthly Theme Challenge with plenty of new opportunities to learn another approach to photography. There is much to learn about B&W other than simply taking a photo in black & white or using LR to make a color photo into a B&W image. What makes a view of the world look better in B&W than in color? How can you “edit” an image so that it stands-out in B&W more than in color? These articles can give you a boost to create black and white images that standout.
Articles
B&W Photography Tips: 5 Cornerstones
Guru Shots
I typically begin each Monthly Theme Article page with an article the is pretty basic. But many photographers view B&W as a pretty basic theme: just change a photo from color to monochrome. But this article goes way beyond basics and will help you see that B&W photography is challenging but beautiful! The author explains the importance of exploring the 5 Cornerstones of true B&W photography: Contrast, Tone, Shadows, Shapes, and Texture. AND the author shares many photos of each cornerstone that will grab your attention. Start here and you will see B&W photography from a new position.
Guru Shots
I typically begin each Monthly Theme Article page with an article the is pretty basic. But many photographers view B&W as a pretty basic theme: just change a photo from color to monochrome. But this article goes way beyond basics and will help you see that B&W photography is challenging but beautiful! The author explains the importance of exploring the 5 Cornerstones of true B&W photography: Contrast, Tone, Shadows, Shapes, and Texture. AND the author shares many photos of each cornerstone that will grab your attention. Start here and you will see B&W photography from a new position.
______________________________
Complete Guide to Black and White Photography”
Spencer Cox - Photography Life
This article has lots of good ideas. It addresses the 5 Cornerstones that Guru Shots explains and adds Composition and Emotion. This article does not explain HOW to create B&W in Lightroom or Photoshop, but it goes into the same discussion as the Guru Shots with a little added history with a credit to Ansel Adams.
Spencer Cox - Photography Life
This article has lots of good ideas. It addresses the 5 Cornerstones that Guru Shots explains and adds Composition and Emotion. This article does not explain HOW to create B&W in Lightroom or Photoshop, but it goes into the same discussion as the Guru Shots with a little added history with a credit to Ansel Adams.
______________________________
How to Take Better Black and White Landscape Photos”
Spencer Cox - Photography Life
Spencer Cox - Photography Life
“When color is no longer a relevant force, your viewers eye is drawn to a new place in the image” so the key is to draw the viewers' attention. He discusses the importance of shape and contrast, shadows, mid-tones, and emotion in B&W landscape photos.
______________________________
By Andrew Gibson - Digital Photography School
A basic article that focuses on tonal contrast, simplicity and Negative Space. Good article to help you think differently.
______________________________
How to Convert Photos to Black and White in Lightroom
Andrew Gibson - Digital Photography School
Andrew Gibson - Digital Photography School
A good article to teach you how to convert your photos in LR. The conversion is fairly basic but Andrew explains a bit more than just the basics.
______________________________
This article is a somewhat simplified version of the 5 Cornerstone article with Shoot Raw, Look for Contrast Shape and Texture, Long Exposure and Filters.
______________________________
There is often some confusion about whether to have the camera turn the photo into B&W of wait and make the color-to-B&W later in LR or Photoshop. Here is an article that might help you decide.
______________________________
White with Lightroom Classic
Tim Grey
Tim Grey
And if you would like to see how to use Lightroom to modify your Black & White photo, take a look at this video that goes into real depth on how to upgrade your B&W photo.
______________________________
And if you’d like to see some great B&W examples of our backyard you might want to check out our friend Mike Jackson’s Best of the Tetons.
______________________________
60 Beautiful Winter Photos
Photo Argus
Photo Argus
And I thought this online article might give you a boost about winter photography. These aren’t all B&W's but they may give you some ideas.
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Tips
Editing