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Black and White Photography—What’s Old is New Again

Black and white photos have long been popular with couples planning a wedding and first time parents trying to capture the emotion of a particular moment. But these days you see more and more amateur photographers shooting in black and white to add a different perspective to their shots.

If you are thinking of going black and white consider these tips to ensure your photos are as frameworthy as possible:

BACKGROUND

When shooting in black and white it’s critical that the background does not distract from your subject. In most cases you can eliminate distractions by moving your subject a few feet to the right or left of an unwanted element. If that doesn’t work, try taking the picture from a different angle.

SHADOWS

Most people will tell you that light and shadows are the basis of a black and white photograph, which is why it’s so important to use them to your advantage. Light and shadows dictate the mood of a black and white photograph. Before snapping a black and white picture try experimenting with different qualities of light. For example, take a picture of a tree on a sunny day, and then take another shot of the same tree on a cloudy day and make modifications accordingly.

SHAPES

Because black and white pictures lack color you really need to rely on shapes and lines to create interest in your shot. A black and white photo that is made up of all straight lines (buildings, a row of trees, etc.) can look modern, but it can also look flat. Aim to shoot subjects with varying lines—slanted, curved, crooked—to give your photo some life.

TEXTURE

Texture is also an important element in black and white photography. Surfaces can become muted when documented in black and white, which is why you want to add texture where you can. So instead of having your kids pose on a plastic mat consider placing them on a wooly rug or grass. Doing so will add more visual impact to your shots.

Related Articles:

Black and White Photography—What’s Old is New Again

Tips for Shooting in Black-and-White

Creating Black-and-White Masterpieces

Shooting in Black-and-White

This entry was posted in Photography Lessons and tagged , , , by Michele Cheplic. Bookmark the permalink.

About Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. She spent the next ten years as a television anchor and reporter at various stations throughout the country (from the CBS affiliate in Honolulu to the NBC affiliate in Green Bay). She has won numerous honors including an Emmy Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow awards honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. In addition, she has received awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for her reports on air travel and the Wisconsin Education Association Council for her stories on education. Michele has since left television to concentrate on being a mom and freelance writer.