Some of my favorite images I’ve ever seen or taken have been black and white. There is a timeless sense to a colorless image, it strips away distractions like color and makes you focus on a true moment, feeling or scenario. It seems like a simple enough thing but there is a certain and definitive art to creating a great black and white.
There are a few obvious things you can focus on, but beyond that, adding some thought and intent in why and how you’re creating this image is important, as it should be with all photography.
INTENTION
I love creating with the intention that something will be black and white. A lot of times if its harsh light, you’ll often want to opt for it, as the color tones will be hard to produce. There is a romanticism to black & white.
Make it graphic. Look for shape, shadows, action, and silhouettes.
MOMENT
A look, an action, a peak of light or snow in the foreground…a moment will draw your viewer into the image, and the lack of color holds them. Rather than an image where you’re distracted by color and only focus on the beauty of the tones, black and white should have something to draw your viewer in allows the viewer to discover more as he/she looks.
LIGHT
- Contrast
- Flat
- Depth
- Clarity
Play with the light. Foggy days, snow, and late afternoon tones make amazing black and white images. Sometimes where your colors would become muddy and gross, playing with the contrast helps an image come to life. Same goes with harsh light, but it is a lot harder to play with. In harsh light, you just mainly have to watch out for textures that become distracting. Playing with over or under exposing a scene helps a lot here.
STYLE
- Contrast
- Film Look or Film
- Curves
Have style in your work! More than anything, style and how you shot something will shine through and drive your photos further. Play with aesthetic, experiment but build in a look, an aesthetic to your images. Something that sets your work apart as your own.
Because of the nature of my work and the time allowance I have for film, I often only shoot black and white film. Because in my mind, they’re moments -moments that because its film I wouldn’t go after and capture otherwise. This is a fun way to approach black and white, but not necessary. If it’s what you’re going for, you can play with grain in post to mimic this aesthetic and vibe pretty easily, just be careful not to overdo it. It can kill the reality of an image very quickly.
Curves is one of the best tools to play with your black and white tone. Contrast or lack thereof, is one of the most important aspects to black and white, Curves give you full control over this.
What are your favorite tools to shoot black and white? Share in the comments below!
