black and white photography

9 Black And White Photography Tricks That Will Inspire You

Black and white photography is a unique and tricky genre. Of course, it has a different technique with a color shooting. You must have sharp accuracy in seeing the contrast between black and white. That is where your visual sensitivity to light and dark becomes a determining factor. Here are some black and white photography tricks for your reference.

1. Don’t be tempted by color

black and white photography

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In practice, people sometimes forget that their image results are black and white or it will be changed to black and white later. Because when you see an object, you might be tempted by a nice blend of colors. As a result, when the image is converted into black and white, there are colors that have a very close level of density. Sure, it would make the object is not clear.

2. Focus on shapes, not colors!

black and white photography

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In black and white photography techniques, you need to sharpen the sensitivity in capturing the shape of the object in detail. So focus on the shape, not on the color of the object. When photographing an object, try to find if there are any lines or other composition which is nice to shot.

These details include the texture, movement, or dramatic expression of the object. You also need to consider whether the depth of field gives interesting results. Besides, consider the different sides of which are blurry and sharp. Thus, you can give a clear outline of your shots.

3. Consider the contrast

black and white photography

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Because the purpose of photography is to draw the light, color contrast is very important in a photo. Besides, the contrast between light and dark will give clear details to the photo. So, first, consider where the light comes from.

Usually, the light coming from the side gives a good contrast. This technique is normally used to show facial lines. Then for the light from behind, it’s usually used to display a silhouette or rim light. If you want to increase contrast in a photo, use a filter on the lens.

4. Never forget about the gradation

black and white photography

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If you want to explore black and white photography, it’s very crucial to understand the color gradation. That is because gradation plays a significant role in this genre. The various brightness levels from gray will give different nuances or dimensions to the photo.

Sure, it’s also related to the level of contrast and detail of the photo. So, if you take pictures in black and white, pay attention to the gradation. Extra tips for you, use the RAW format to capture a larger dynamic range.

5. Be careful with noise

black and white photography

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Noise is a visual distortion in digital image data. The presence of noise is also related to the intensity of the sensor on the camera. However, because digital photos have a pixel basis, noise has a more regular character.

That is the weakness of noise. Because pixels have more regular characters, sometimes noise sets a pattern in the photo. But still, today’s cameras are equipped with noise reduction features. That feature will help you to reduce the noise, without having to decrease the image detail.

6. Try visualizing it in black and white

black and white photography

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It is one of the black and white photography guides that you need to study. Before taking a picture, try to visualize the object first. Pay attention to lines, strong shapes, and shadows of objects. In short, you need to imagine what the final picture will be. Imagine how you capture the tone of the image, texture, and shape of the object. Of course, you can only get it if you practice a lot.

7. Consider the composition

black and white photography

digital-photo-secrets.com

It’s important to consider the composition when taking a black and white photo. So, the most ideal time to take black and white pictures is before sunset or after sunrise. To get the best results, you need to capture the right contrast. For that reason, a balance between dark and light shades is needed. After all the elements are integrated, you are ready to capture it with a camera.

8. Take advantage of low ISO

black and white photography

blackandwhitephoto.com.au

The next trick is you must use a low ISO. For a good result, you should use the lowest ISO when capturing images. In black and white photography, the noise in the image will be seen more clearly. Noise makes the image look grainy. To edit noise, it is quite difficult. However, if you really want the effect, you can add it in post-production.

9. Photographing overshadow

black and white photography

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When the sky is dimmed, it might be a color photographer’s nightmare. However, it actually becomes a perfect moment for black and white photographers. You just need to make sure that the light you capture fits the object. For example, the daylight is better for architecture, but it’s bad for a portrait. Conversely, cloudy daylight will be perfect for a portrait, but it is not suitable for scenery.

Black and white photography is favored because it gives the freedom to shot with various objects. Then, start this genre with some good objects such as scenery, portrait or architecture.

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