Black and White Photography as a Learning Tool – 5 Tips
Black and White Photography
One often overlooked area of digital photography is the world of black and white. We don’t see the world in shades of gray, so why bother to learn black and white photography techniques?
The answer to the question is quite simple. As a photographer, no other medium lends itself to helping you learn graphic concepts. Black and white photography can make a dull photograph something different, and it can help you learn to focus on all of the elements of the photo.
With the absence of color you need to concentrate on things like lines and contrast to create a good photo. When you focus on the other aspects, as black and white photography requires, you suddenly find yourself learning new concepts (the easy way). Then there’s is the fact that simply converting a photograph to black and white can suddenly make something out of a photo that didn’t really stand out to begin with.
In this article we will cover how black and white photography can work as a learning tool, and how digital conversions to black and white can make a photograph vastly different.
Black and White Photography – Questions to Ask Yourself
First let’s talk about shooting in black and white. We’ve already said that it can be an excellent learning tool. Let’s cover what can be gained by simply switching your digital camera to shoot in black and white.
Really, what I’m giving you here, are questions that you can ask yourself to take advantage of black and white as a learning tool.
1. Contrast – When you shoot a black and white image you have to look at lighting and contrast in a whole new way. You can’t expect color to bring the focus to the subject of your photo. How can you use contrast to compliment the center point of your image?
2. Lines – Lines can be found in any image when you’re viewing in shades of gray. If you use lines to bring the focus of your image to the subject, you’ll find yourself beginning to apply these ideas to your color photos. How do the lines flow towards your subject? Can you use those lines to improve the image?
3. Patterns – Just as lines can be found everywhere, so can patterns. Nature is full of patterns: the pattern of growth on a new plant or the pattern of a speckled rock, are just two examples. Can you use pattern to bring focus to the subject of your image? Better yet, can you find a way to make an interesting photo out of the pattern itself?
4. Unique Conditions – Sometimes black and white is simply a better choice. On an overcast day, for example, your color image may come out quite dull. What happens when you shoot that image in black and white? How does this add to, or take away from the image?
5. Overall Composition – When you begin to answer all of the previous questions you find yourself paying more attention to the composition of all of your images. How can you combine contrast, lines, patterns, and conditions to make a truly unique photo?
When you begin to shoot in black and white it is very likely something will begin to happen. With the attention that must be paid to all of the elements of the photograph, suddenly you find yourself learning how those pieces come together to make truly exceptional photos!
