How To Do Black And White Photography

You have before you the most complete guide on black and white photography that exists on the internet. In this mega-guide, I have proposed that no question remains unanswered. None? Yes, you heard right, none.

In it I will talk to you about everything related to the world of black and white photography, from technique to equipment or composition, tricks for editing, vision, inspiration and everything you can think of. Because, if you know me a little, you will know that monochrome freaks me out and, if you are reading these lines, I bet you do too.

Whatever your level, by the end of this article, you will have learned everything you need to take not only beautiful black and white photos but truly spectacular black and white photos. There is no more secret to success than to train and practice, especially the latest, that’s all 😉 .

Very important! Before continuing, save this article in your favourites so you don’t lose sight of it and have it at hand whenever you need it. Once this is done, the time has come for you to sit comfortably and enjoy reading 🙂 .

“When you photograph people in colour, you photograph their clothes. When you photograph people in black and white, you photograph their soul.» ted grant.

WHAT IS BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY?: MEANING

Black and white photography is a photographic genre in which the image is characterized by the absence of colour. This type of photography is based, instead, on tones that go from white to black through medium tones (grey). That is why you can also hear about it as monochrome or grayscale photography.

A black and white photograph is therefore stripped of colour, which makes it more raw, direct to the essence, based on light and form.

Black and white photography is instant, emotion and message. With little, we are able to say everything.

I invite you to take a look at this introductory article to black and white photography to whet your appetite.

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WHAT DOES BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY CONVEY?

Black and white images convey drama and emotion, stripping us of the setting and showing us what lies beneath the surface; the soul, the essence.

A black and white photo impacts us for the simple fact of showing us a reality different from what our eyes see.

A black and white photograph is, ultimately, the raw story, the timeless image.

LEARN TO SEE IN BLACK AND WHITE

But… «Mario, how do you know which image is suitable to be a black and white photograph?» You have to learn to see in black and white.

To do this, we must go beyond what our eyes used to colour interpret, we must force the brain to imagine, to see lines, shapes and balance. See the lights and shadows, the story that emerges from a scene, its timelessness and its beauty in its rawest state.

Next, I show you some very simple tricks with which you will become an expert in capturing black and white wherever you look.

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TRICKS TO LEARN TO SEE IN BLACK AND WHITE

I am already warning you that the best trick that exists to work in black and white is practice, practice and more practice 🙂 Although there are some tricks to photograph in black and white with which to accompany your learning process:

• Learn to translate colours to grayscale. Each colour has its corresponding tone in monochrome.
• Pay attention to the shapes.
• In the lights and shadows and their contrast.
• Work a lot on lines and patterns.
• Find textures.
• Think before you shoot.

These 100 Express Tips to photograph in black and white (and fall in love) will help you a lot to train your gaze in terms of black and white photography.

WHAT PHOTOS WORK BEST IN BLACK AND WHITE?

The photos that work best in black and white are those that don’t base their composition on colour, to begin with. In other words, it doesn’t make much sense to turn an image that has colour as the main ingredient of the composition into monochrome, such as this one:

In contrast, these are the types of images that work best in black and white:

• Compositions with lines.
• Minimalist compositions.
• High contrast images.
• Textures.
• Pictures.
• Abstract shapes.
• Negative space.
• Cloudy days.
• High and low key (drama).
• Images with marked timelessness.
• street photography
• Architecture.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT FOR BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

The best equipment is the camera you carry, the one you have, the one you already use. To photograph in black and white there are no excuses.

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY CAMERA

That said, if you are thinking of buying your first reflex, bridge, mirrorless or compact camera, I would recommend that you look at the following:

• Have the option to work in RAW format.
• Have a good dynamic range.
• That supports good ISO levels.
• That suits your budget.
• That I invite you to use it; don’t buy an SLR if you like to travel light ;).

GOAL

• Make it as bright as possible. Having a king of lenses (50mm f/1.4) or a prince (50mm f/1.8) regardless of what other lenses you have is my personal recommendation.
• Choose a focal length that suits the type of photography you want to do.

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ACCESSORIES FOR BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

• A grey card is a great investment for how little it costs. It will help you get the correct exposure in any situation.
• Neutral density filter or graduated neutral density filter to be able to take long-exposure images during the day.

LIGHT IN BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

When we strip an image of its color, light and composition take on an even more relevant role, if possible.

Lighting is the CHALLENGE for any photographer, regardless of the subject they want to delve into. If you master the light, you will have 90% of the work done.

Here are some tricks for you to get beautiful black and white photos full of meaning.

• Avoid underexposed areas: Try righting the histogram to avoid noise.
• Play with the shadows.
• With the backlights.
• With high contrast images.
• Look for interesting light situations (cloudy days, very punctual lights…).
• Choose a suitable measurement mode for each situation.
• Activate the histogram and let yourself be guided by what appears in it and not by what you see on the screen.

If you are interested in delving into lighting, take a look at these articles with advice on lighting to improve your photographs, or 15 ways to master your raw material, light, and finally, frequently asked questions and simple answers so that you master light and photography. photography exhibition.

RECOMMENDED SETTINGS FOR BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

To work in black and white and obtain the best results, there are several aspects that you must take into account:

• Configure your camera in RAW format: This format is the one that preserves the most information with which to work in the development of your image. Unlike JPEG, the RAW format does not make any default adjustments in the camera as the JPEG does, which means that the camera in JPEG is making decisions and discarding information that will mean that you will have a much worse result in the final edition.
• In colour better than black and white: No, I have not made a mistake writing this. Forget about taking the black and white image directly from the camera. If for whatever reason you don’t have RAW, a colour JPEG is always better than directly the black and white option of your camera. Why? For the same reason that we recommend working in RAW: you save more information in colour and therefore have more freedom to edit and with better results.
• In black and white from the camera: It is the worst option as far as final quality is concerned because it is the method that preserves the least information of all. But it can help you preview the image you want before deciding on one of the two previous options (if possible, the first one 😉 ).
• ISO: Always keep it to the minimum possible within each situation. It would be good if you knew the values ​​in which your camera moves with acceptable levels and thus try not to exceed them.
• White balance: In this case, you can leave it on automatic.
• Adobe RGB: This colour space is the one that stores more information and with which you will get better results.
• Work in manual mode: It will allow you to decide each aspect of the shot. If you’re still having a hard time getting the hang of it, try starting with a semi-manual mode with aperture or speed priority.

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BLACK AND WHITE COMPOSITION

We have already said that it is an essential element when we remove colour from an image. Good composition is the foundation of any black and white photograph.

The composition is part of the process of abstraction that we do when we want to photograph in monochrome. It is very important to add a good dose of intuition and abstraction and, above all, try to think of the image in black and white before pressing the shutter.

Only then will we be able to see the compositional possibilities of the scene in front of us. For it:

• Identifies a centre of interest.
• Use the rule of thirds to place your protagonist within the frame.
• Look for the lines, they are powerful compositional elements to direct the viewer’s gaze.
• Frame horizontally and vertically.
• Look for patterns, play with the rhythm and break the rhythm.
• Less is more, many elements are difficult to read and can divert attention from the main subject.
• Look for different and original points of view.
• The frame through natural frames (windows, doors, arches, trees…).
• Practice with negative space.
• Or with fill the frame.
• Play with lights and shadows as one more compositional element.

BLACK AND WHITE PORTRAITS

If there is a theme that goes perfectly with black and white, it is portraits. A portrait is, by itself, a type of photography full of feeling, so combining it with the use of black and white usually gives very good results.

• Look for plain backgrounds or with little information to highlight your protagonist.
• Use the diaphragm opening to blur the background.
• Practice with the high and low keys.
• Play with lighting.
• With high contrast images.
• Double exposure.
• Etc.

BABIES AND CHILDREN IN BLACK AND WHITE

One of the star themes to work in black and white is everything related to childhood.

It may be because of its documentary style, or because of its ability to capture time and freeze it, but the truth is that black and white is capable of turning an everyday moment into an imperishable memory.

To get the best photos of children, here are some quick tips:

• Work at fast speeds.
• Let them play and be themselves.
• He photographs the day to day, the everyday.
• Take advantage of the light.
• Play with the aperture depending on the result you want to obtain.
• An imperfect photo is better than losing a moment.

For this, you will also need a good dose of patience and a left hand and some tricks to photograph babies, to photograph children, in express format and end with a little inspiration.

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BLACK AND WHITE LANDSCAPE

Black and white landscapes are real opportunities for impressive images. Perhaps it is not the subject that you would initially think for a black and white photo, but the truth is that they can be great protagonists of your grayscale images.

Although they require a good dose of abstraction, you can achieve truly amazing results by keeping a few simple tricks in mind:

• Textures are of vital importance, keep them in mind when deciding what to photograph.
• Side light.
• Flee from boring skies.
• Cloudy days are great for landscape photography.
• The fog.
• And in general, everything that evokes emotion in us.

Before continuing, I recommend that you take a look at this article with 12 tricks to capture impressive landscapes in black and white to delve into this topic.

BLACK AND WHITE DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY

You will agree with me that, if there is a subject that is not even painted in black and white photography, it is documentary photography. His crude and artless style is often inseparable from monochrome.

We also have many visual references in this sense, photographers like Sebastião Salgadoor and Cristina Garcia Roderoamong and many other great references (many of which I will present to you at the end of the article).

ARTISTIC BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

Although photography is an art, not all photography is artistic 😉 .

We have already talked about how black and white photography is itself an exercise in abstraction. Artistic photography goes one step further, it mainly seeks to convey an emotion.

Therefore, it does not capture reality as we know it (as photojournalism and even documentary photography could do) but rather tells us about the reality of the photographer himself. Of his feelings, his fears, worries, obsessions, joys, his sorrows…

Do you need inspiration? You can do it through these 20 creative black and white photos to fill you with inspiration.

TIPS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING IN BLACK AND WHITE

lthough this mega guide is full of black and white photography tricks, I am going to concentrate the ones that we consider essential here:

• Learn to see in black and white.
• You can activate the monochrome mode of your camera, if you have, to preview the result, but then change to RAW format or bad to colour.
• Look for scenarios where colour is not the main theme.
• Silhouettes and formal compositions work very well in black and white, open your eyes wide and try to portray them.
• Help yourself with the lines to compose.
• Avoid pasted images (better look for scenes with contrast).
• Establish a clear centre of interest.
• Use the diaphragm opening to blur the background and isolate your protagonist.
• Less is more, do not overload the image because it will be more difficult to read.
• Use as low an ISO as possible.
• Play with light and shadow in your portraits.
• Compose through natural frames
• Look for scenes with textures.
• A black and white photo without emotion is an empty image. Shoot with your heart 😉

Follow along with this article to delve deeper: 12 Tricks to Succeed with Your Next Black and White Photography.

BLACK AND WHITE EDITING AND PROCESSING

Transforming a photograph into black and white is an art and forms an essential part of the photographic process. Going from one scene in colour to another in black and white is a simple exercise but it has many nuances that you will learn as you practice.

Over time, you will see that the exercise begins already at the moment of taking the image, long before you open your reference editing program. In this sense, take a look at our article on how to shoot and process black and white to forget about pasty images.

I advise you to practice using your reference editor until you find the results that best suit your vision of the world, and your style. Through adjustments such as lights and shadows, contrast, clarity or the colour channel, shape your idea.

If you opt for Lightroom as a photo editor, I recommend our article on how to convert your photos to black and white with Lightroom and our presets to apply to your image just by clicking a couple of buttons.

If you prefer Photoshop, then you have these 6 very simple ways to convert your images to black and white with Photoshop and I also recommend that, once you have your favourite settings, you learn to do actions with Photoshop, it will simplify your life a lot.

Finally, I would like to recommend this video where you will find very useful tips for your conversions to black and white:

ANALOG BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

I like to think that analog photography never went away and never will, let alone black and white analog photography.

Because, if digital has advantages that are difficult to overcome by reel, the truth is that the thrill of revealing an image in the old way, is magic, nothing can beat it.

Luckily, there is still a market for second-hand analog cameras with their corresponding reels and development centres with which to unleash your creativity. With those 36 images, you will learn more than with 1,000 in digital. To think, to value, to breathe before pressing the shutter.

In this complete guide to buying your next analog camera, you will find all the information related to the analog world, also in black and white.

From it I extract this list of black and white reels in case you want to get to the point:

• Kodak T-Max 400 (ASA): Smooth tones and very fine grain, supposedly the best (least noise) at 400 ASA.
• Ilford HP5 400 (ASA): Very versatile, since due to its characteristics it is an “intermediate” reel, neither too much noise nor too much contrast, but with something of both.
• Ilford Delta 3200 (ASA) : This is the most sensitive black and white reel on the market today.
• Kodak Tri-X: It is one of the best-selling and most popular black and white film. More contrasty and grainier than its ASA partner at Kodak ; the T Max.
• Ilford PanF50: It is famous for its almost non-existent noise that allows large enlargements without losing quality. However, the ISO (ASA) is very low, so it is only recommended in environments with sufficient light.
• Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 Very fine grain and great detail and with one of the best gray ranges on the market.

PHOTOGRAPHIC ERRORS TO AVOID IN YOUR BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS

There are photographic errors that are recurrent in black and white photography and that with time and experience you will learn to solve.

Not having a well-defined centre of interest, dull skies, low-contrast images, or poor composition are some of the scenarios that can “crush” your black-and-white image.

I recommend that you carefully read our article on 8 mistakes you should avoid in black and white photography to learn how to avoid them at all costs :).

THE BEST BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS

The best black and white photos have been designed in grayscale and have years of practice and experience behind them. They are beautiful black and white photos, yes, but they are also much more.

The best black and white photos convey, evoke, tell a story, move us. That should be the goal behind every image you make.

It is very important that you get inspired, that you see many black and white images and, if possible, from the best.

THE BEST BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Luckily, there is a lot of black and white work that can serve as inspiration. Black and white never goes out of style, as I have already said, so you will find great photographers from all eras with whom you can be inspired.

I leave you some names with which you can open your mouth:

• Sally Mann
• Chema Madoz
• Sebastian Salgado
• Christina Garcia Rodero
• Ansel Adams
• Marc Riboud
• Munem Wasif
• Joana Biarnes
• Garry Winogrand
• Elliot Erwitt
• Dorothea Lang
• Robert Doisneau
• Fan Ho
• Vivian Mayer
• Irving Penn
• Joseph Kudelka
• Diane Bush
• Robert Mapplethorpe
• Richard Avedon

Delve into some of them in our article on great masters of black and white.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

In photography you have to train, no matter how self-taught you are, it is important to have one or more reference books that serve as the basis of your learning. It will save you a lot of time and headaches, so I strongly recommend that you support your photography practice with some theory.

I leave you with a small list of books in case you are interested in delving deeper into the ins and outs of black and white photography, more specifically in its technical part:

• The secrets of black and white photography (BdF): In this Ebook, we talk to you in an entertaining and simple way, about all the tricks of black and white photography. A book to initiate you in all its secrets. Because black and white amaze us 🙂 .
• Black and white digital photography (PhotoRuta)
• Black and White Photography: The Timeless Art of Monochrome (Michael Freeman)

And now some black and white photography books from great photographers, to learn, be inspired and enjoy:

• Peter Lindbergh. On Fashion Photography
• Sally Mann. A thousand crossings
• Vivian Maier: Street Photographer
• Sebastian Salgado. Genesis
• Ansel Adams: 400 Photographs(in English)
• Elliott Erwitt. snapshots
• Josef Koudelka: Exiles
• Joana Biarnes. shooting with the heart
• Robert Frank: The Americans
• Robert Mapplethorpe (PHOTOGRAPHY)

This is the end of our guide to learning how to photograph in black and white. Almost 4,000 words written with a lot of passion, enthusiasm and desire, because we love black and white, as you do, so I hope I have transmitted it to you and that you can get the most out of it.

Don’t you have it in favourites yet? Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do right now. So that thing about… Where did I read that black and white thing doesn’t happen to you? What was the name of the article… ? 😉 Oh, and don’t forget to share it. Let’s, together, fill these networks with inspiration for all lovers of black and white.

Good monochrome photography. We read here. 🙂