Shades of Black and White: Tips for Black and White Photography

With the advent of digital cameras and a multiplicity of colors now available as possible options, why would anyone still want to do black and white photography, or take pictures in monochrome, where only one color is used? Is this not obsolete?

The opposite is true. Black and white photography is becoming more and more popular. In fact, it is back in vogue! Why is that?

1. Creativity:

Black and white photography allows a broad realm of creativity, far beyond that of color. A creative genius does not need to have color in a photograph, in order to be creative. In fact, by using different shades of black and white, you will find that there is a whole other range of undiscovered color (color that does not appear to be color). These colors range from different shades of black, to various shades of white.

Allow your creative genius to shine through your pictures, by working with different shades of black and white. Try out the really deep dark blacks, lighter blacks, dark grays and lighter grays. Do the same thing with the whites. Begin with the whitest whites and combine them with the various other shades of white. Play with different combinations of black and white. You will enjoy the results that you achieve!

2. Contrast:

Taking a picture in only black and white, allows another dimension of photography to become apparent, as the person viewing the picture is suddenly alerted to, or awakened to the immediacy of sharp and distinct contrasts in the photograph. In a color photograph, what one is confronted with immediately, is the color. Sometimes color is appropriate in a photograph, but not always. Changing any color to make it more appropriate, is not always possible. It is much easier to work with the various shades of black and white.

When taking color photographs, look at what you think you would like the viewer to focus on in the photograph. Ask yourself whether that is hindered in any way, by the color in the picture. Try adjusting your camera settings and look at it in black and white. You may be very pleasantly surprised, because now what stands out is the very thing that you wanted to focus on, rather than the presence of a multiplicity of colors in the picture.

3. Drama:

The drama that occurs in an action shot is a very important part of photography. In a black and white photograph, the drama will be enhanced, or stand out. In a color

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