Processing photos using black and white creates a timeless and romantic look. Not every photo is suited for black and white. A little time and preparation can go a long way in getting the perfect shot. Here are 7 tips to get the best black and white photos.
Look for items to photograph that have a large contrast in colors. You want bright whites and dark shadows in your image to show a large difference between tones. This will make your photo pop and create a vivid black and white shot.
Underexposure your shot. This mean you need to make your shot a little darker than normal. This will make the darker parts of your image pop. It also makes it easier to envision the black and white version of the picture from the back of your camera.
Shoot in RAW format. If your camera has the option to shoot in RAW this will help your black and white technique. You can adjust the exposure of the image later in post processing if shooting in RAW. This format allows you to adjust the actual image file instead of just layering effects on top of the image, which is what you do with JPEG files.
Notice textures in your surroundings. Textures will show beautifully in black and white, if you don’t let light shine directly on it. Try shooting from different angles if the texture isn’t showing as well as you hoped.
Even though you want a black and white image, still shoot in color. A lot of cameras have a black and white option. Even though it sounds strange, it looks much better to change it in post processing. Your image file will contain a dynamic range of color and that is important for vivid black and white photos.
Shoot on a dull and gray day. It isn't always ideal for color photography, but gloomy is great weather to shoot black and white photos. This will keep harsh highlights from being a problem and it will be easier to capture textures.
Practice shooting in black and white and practice often. That is the most important thing when improving your photography. This will help you develop an eye for what works and what doesn't. It will also help you develop your own style and voice. Black and white photos are known to elicit emotion from viewers, keep this in mind when choosing a subject.
