OMFG! Black and White Photography!

There are three reasons you should be shooting in black and white, each more compelling than the last:

1. It makes you feel like a real photographer.
2. It's fun to pretend like you are a photographer from an earlier age :)
3. Black and white allows you to call attention to the subject's meaning and raw emotion
4. Black and white isn't (just) for old cronies

Sure, color is easy. Color is more common. But as a photographer, you should be looking for ways to PUSH yourself as an artist and be UNLIKE the norm. As much as people shy away from being different, I actually think it's a quality that most people adore.


Don't get me wrong, color can be fabulous. It is yet another way that photographers can express themselves. But I definitely hold a prejudice against those who rely on color rather than more substantial elements like shape, texture, and contrast. 

Black and white has no step-by-step instruction, but never fear! Tackling something new like B&W can give you the oomph you need to strengthen your photography skills.

A few tips:

1. Cloudy days make for far better photos.

WHAT? Yes, this is true! It seems like everyone is always sulking when it is foggy out. BFD, let's get our cameras out. An overcast day can help you produce the truest textures a photo has ever seen. For example, harsh sunlight can often wash out delicate surfaces like skin. With a lower light level, the camera is able to capture complexities otherwise lost. So quit your foggy-day complaints.

2. Pay attention to shadows and highlights.

In B&W, light is your friend. :) Although shadows and highlights are an important factor in general photography, they are the star of the show in B&W. Start by training your eye to look for interesting shadows. Turn on two separate lights and sit on your couch. Take one minute to look around the room and notice unusual lighting. Doing small exercises like this can train your eye to look for intriguing lighting.

3. Shapes, tones, and textures, dude.

They have to be present. Period. Without them, there is a good chance that you are going to produce a dull piece. B&W means forfeiting the color that many of us use to draw our viewer's eye to a certain point. But just because the color is gone doesn't mean the flavor has got to go too! Use shapes, tones, and textures to add some punch to your piece.

I recommend always shooting in color, and editing your images with a program. But if you are a person who likes to see the finished product through their viewfinder, most cameras have a “black and white” or “grayscale” function that you can find within 'Settings'. Otherwise, it is just as easy to edit your photo into B&W in a photo editing program.

There is no step-by-step way to show you how to take the perfect B&W photo. This is something that is best learned by grabbing your camera and hitting the streets. Don't be afraid to kneel down, jump up, or do other semi-crazy things to get that interesting shot. One weird look from a stranger isn't going to kill you. Unless you have strangeritis.

Your cheesy blogger,

Emily