BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

With the growth and development in the field of high-speed films, cameras, most people today want to experiment with the colored pictures to make them interesting. It is sad to know that black and white photography is not much explored now days, but one can be surprised with the images that are possible to create through Black and white photography techniques.

TONAL RANGE

A range from black to white including the shades of gray is called gray scale. Playing with the different tonal range in black and white can help to create spectacular effects.

Black and white-landscape:

A black and white photograph of a landscape can often be far more dramatic and aromatic than the ones taken in colored. One thing should be remembered that while taking black and white pictures, there’s a possibility that some details become flat and gray, if filters are not utilized. It is thus important to use appropriate filters as per the desired scene. For instance, to make white puffed cloud noticeable against the sky, yellow filter can be used.

Ansel Adams, (American photographer) showcases wonderful landscapes with a virtuous clasp of tonal range.

• LEFT - Filters can make a lot of difference to the picture, as this shot shows. In the picture, the sky has turned very dark due to the use of red filter. For less extreme result, use of yellow filter will help in retaining details of the cloud.

Black and white-portraits

Alike in color photography, black and white photography also requires proper lightning to give an impressive effect. Getting the right exposure is also very important in black and white portraits. Before taking a portrait in black and white, one should be clear about the effect that is desired.

Exploring the effects of light at different angles helps in creating variations in the picture. If light is falling straight in the front of the face, heavy shadows under the eye and, nose and chin would be produced. A light fixed below the face, would give a ghostlike look.
All these techniques once mastered can make you achieve wonderful portraits in black and white; all you need to have is a creative imagination.

 

In the picture (above), the face has been given good highlight and shadow, with no detail of the background. Though the effect is good, but the details of face are restricted over here.

Sometimes pictures cannot express themselves much in colored as they can do through black and white photograph. A subject chosen with a careful thought along with little knowledge of black and white photography tricks can help in making black and white pictures remarkable.