Introduction to B&W Photography
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1) PRO TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY
2) BASIC B&W TECHNIQUES IN-CAMERA AND IN PHOTOSHOP 3) BASIC B&W SHOOTING ASSIGNMENT * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 1) PRO TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY Sample images and elements of this lesson adapted from: http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2015/01/26/black-and-white-photography-how-to-make-monochrome/ #1 tip for B&W Photography: Because colour has been removed as a defining element, everything else in the image needs to properly communicate to the viewer. |
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Contrast, Shape, and Form are key elements that will improve a B&W image.
Texture and Detail are your friends. Side-lighting can help in bringing out textures.
AVOID bland skies. Although you can do a lot with this in post-processing (much more on this later!), this makes for an equally bland photo
AVOID subjects whose colour defines them or makes them pop. This image is probably best left in colour.
AVOID images that depend on colour contrast. This example doesn't translate well into B&W.
Simple shapes, forms, and lines can easily create striking images in B&W.
Further reading from the Canon website.
2) BASIC B&W TECHNIQUES IN-CAMERA AND IN PHOTOSHOP
METHOD ONE: IN-CAMERA
Pro: Easy to do. "Set it and forget it."
Con: Does not record colour information and thus makes it difficult to edit or customize.
How to set the Nikon or Canon to shoot in monochrome (black and white) mode. Be sure to set it back when you're done!
2) BASIC B&W TECHNIQUES IN-CAMERA AND IN PHOTOSHOP
METHOD ONE: IN-CAMERA
Pro: Easy to do. "Set it and forget it."
Con: Does not record colour information and thus makes it difficult to edit or customize.
How to set the Nikon or Canon to shoot in monochrome (black and white) mode. Be sure to set it back when you're done!
METHOD TWO: PHOTOSHOP - DESATURATE
Pro: Instant effect.
Con: Colour information erased, thus difficult to customize or edit.
Pro: Instant effect.
Con: Colour information erased, thus difficult to customize or edit.
METHOD THREE: BLACK & WHITE ADJUSTMENT ***** (PREFERRED) *****
Pro: Retains colour information, allows custom edits by colour channel, can also be done as a separate adjustment layer.
Con: Default may not be what you want, takes more time.
Pro: Retains colour information, allows custom edits by colour channel, can also be done as a separate adjustment layer.
Con: Default may not be what you want, takes more time.
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Image Adjustment
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Or
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Adjustment Layer
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3) BASIC B&W SHOOTING ASSIGNMENT
Introduction to B&W Photography Assignment
Today's task is to compare a few of the common ways to produce a black and white image.
You will hand in two "filmstrips" with FOUR images each.
Each filmstrip will effectively be the SAME scene.
- ONE scene should feature largely shadows.
- ONE scene should feature largely highlights.
The shot list for each filmstrip is as follows:
1) Image taken in your camera's B&W (monochrome) mode.
2) *Exactly the same scene*. Image taken in colour but desaturated in Photoshop. No other edits.
3) Image #2, turned Black & White in Photoshop. No other edits.
4) Image #2, turned Black & White in Photoshop. Use the B&W controls in Photoshop to improve the image as you see fit. (Having an original image with more colour variety will help).
5) Same as step 4 but use Lightroom B&W panel adjustments.
You will be asked to comment on your observations between the four different black & white versions of basically the same image.
Today's task is to compare a few of the common ways to produce a black and white image.
You will hand in two "filmstrips" with FOUR images each.
Each filmstrip will effectively be the SAME scene.
- ONE scene should feature largely shadows.
- ONE scene should feature largely highlights.
The shot list for each filmstrip is as follows:
1) Image taken in your camera's B&W (monochrome) mode.
2) *Exactly the same scene*. Image taken in colour but desaturated in Photoshop. No other edits.
3) Image #2, turned Black & White in Photoshop. No other edits.
4) Image #2, turned Black & White in Photoshop. Use the B&W controls in Photoshop to improve the image as you see fit. (Having an original image with more colour variety will help).
5) Same as step 4 but use Lightroom B&W panel adjustments.
You will be asked to comment on your observations between the four different black & white versions of basically the same image.