Beginning Photography Tips

Even though our world emphasizes color, there is always a need to learn about black and white photography. If you have never taken a black and white photograph in your entire life, or converted a color photo to black and white, you’re in for a big surprise!

Even though there is an incredible popularity of digital color images, there will always be room and even demand for black and white.

Black and white photographs have an elegance and timelessness that color picture can’t quite capture. Even though you may think of black and white as outdated or old, the fact is that more people are becoming interested in black and white photography for many reasons.

• Black and white photography is seen less frequently; hence it is rare - and for that reason alone… it is of interest
• When used “properly,” black and white accentuates the depth of the photograph
• Black and white heightens emotional content
• Black and white photography has a tendency to make photos look more like works of art
• Black and white photography produces a clean, crisp look
• Transforms a dingy o overcast look into a striking photo evoking emotion

Even if your camera doesn’t have a black and white setting on it, you will find out that black and white pictures can be achieved through computer software programs. But instead of getting into the right now, here are some tips to great beautiful black and white photography.

Tip #1-Transform Dull or Drab scenes into Works of Art

On an overcast and dreary day, even if you don’t think a shot will look good, take it! If you have a color and black and white shot of the same thing on a dreary day, the black and white version will be much more popular.

Tip #2-Emotional Scenes

Black and white photographs can convey a very powerful and emotional image. By taking a color photograph and converting it to black and white, the strong emotional impact is shown through.

Tip #3-Relationship Portraits

Probably the most popular use of black and white photography is with a single subject. As you’ve seen, there is no “right” or “wrongs.” One category of subjects that should always be considered is babies and children.

Although there is a “formal/big occasion” aura surrounding black and white photography, there’s no reason not to use the power of black and white photographs for regular old everday shots. IF you’re unsure, take the photo in color and black and white, and you be the judge.

Tip #4-Dramatic Cityscapes or Architecture

If a photograph does not have an entire spectrum of different colors, consider viewing it as a black and white photograph.

Cityscapes often lack a multitude of colors. Therefore, if because of the time of day, or the subject, experiment with shooting daytime photos in black and white for greater impact.

Tip #5-Everyday Photos

This last time is meant for what you may consider “no-big-deal” photographs. The photos with a subject and a lot of other distracting objects around it.

This is the point to remember at all times: take your camera with you wherever you go because you never know what photo opportunities will exist.

A lot of these pictures after you look at them will be nothing other than an “OK” shot, but don’t disregard it because of that!

Take a photograph of a child busy at play in the middle of a room, crop the photo so you have only the child’s face in the frame, then convert it to black and white. Even though cropping is not a black and white photography tip, it is one of the simplest things you can do to a photograph… and it is potentially the most powerful.

Cropping allows you to take a busy photograph and convert it to a focused object, as in the example of the child. Now by converting that picture to black and white, it is bringing out the emotion of the child.

In summary, I hope these tips will help you in your decision on what photos are more powerful or artistic black and white. If you aren’t sure on them, give it a test by taking at least 30 shots and converting them to black and white, then put the color one and black and white one together and come to your own conclusion!