This is part one of my Black and White Tips and Tricks series I will share with you some of what I have learned regarding switching a photo to black and white. This week I will talk about what characteristics to look for to get the highest contrast possible. I will even show you a couple of photos black and whites which I think don’t work well.
Hint: Use post processing to turn your photo into black and white. If you use your camera settings, you could lose a lot of detail and flexibility in adjusting your photos.
Look for Texture
Black and white allows you to see the details of your photography. The viewer doesn’t get caught up in the color. You will want to look for photos that have a lot of texture in them.
These clouds have an area that is full of texture and some soft spots.
This daylily again has a lot of texture on the flower and the background is nice and soft. The black and white really brings out the texture in the flower.
However if your photo is overwhelmed with too much texture your photo will loo something like this. I find it hard to see the detail, because nearly every pixel has a different type of texture. You have the grass upper left, tree trunk and pine needles. Your eyes need somewhere to focus on.
Look For High Contrast
In black and white you want to look for high contrasts in color or shadows. The more contrast, the bigger the more dramatic your photo will be.
This photo shows subtle blacks, grays and a fairly smooth background. I think the black and white gives it an interesting effect since all the shades of gray and black are in different places.
This photo of a young lady on a horse has a lot of color contrast on the original. I like how you see the movement in her jacket.
This is a fairly monochrome photo to begin with. The sun wasn’t shining on the tile bright enough to cause a lo lot of contrast. The title floor simply looks flat.
My next Tips and Tricks will be Part Two in this series.
To view my other Tips and Tricks click here.
Qi (energy) hugs
Cee
Thanks for this great post. I loved your effects and tried to grasp as much I can. Will be bacgk with better results.
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I hope you do come back with some of your new black and whites. 🙂
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Great advice — especially to not SHOOT in black and white, but convert afterwards. Keep your options open!
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You got that right!!! 🙂 Thanks Marilyn 🙂
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I always appreciate your tips Cee. Thank you.
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Hi Sue, glad to hear from you. Thanks for commenting.
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Thank you Cee for sharing these tips.
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You are welcome Norma.
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Your black and white pictures are stunning Cee.
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Thanks Colline 🙂 Have a great weekend!
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Thanks! I love black and white photos. I guess I’m going to ditch the B&W settings on my camera though, your tip totally makes sense 🙂 Looking forward to part 2. Have a good weekend!
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Part 2 will tell you why you need to use your post processing software for black and white. 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
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Cool 🙂
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Glad you like it. 🙂
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oh, but those clouds… ominous and inviting at the same time!
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I’m thrilled you like the clouds. Thanks!
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Thank you very much Cee !
Always intersting your tips !
Ciao ciao
Max
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Thanks for commenting Max.
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Even though I don’t do photography much at all, I really enjoyed the way you gave examples of what works and what doesn’t. The multiple textures one leaves no doubt as to its ineffectiveness. Looking forward to the next set of tips. 🙂
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Thanks Deborah for such a neat comment 🙂
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Really useful tips here, Cee. Sometimes I think an image will work in black and white and then I find it really doesn’t! Now I know what to think about when choosing, I am hopeful this will help. I will watch out for your next post on b/w photography tips too 🙂
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Black and white is a hit or miss thing. Sometimes what I think will work well doesn’t and vice versa. Just keep playing around and have fun. I promise it will get easier.
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that is reassuring to know! I intend to keep trying and keep learning! 🙂
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🙂
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I love black and white photos! Thank you for posting those tips..looking forward to trying some and to Part II!
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Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Show us some of your photos.
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Great advise. I love b & W, they can dramatize a photo and take an ordinary photo and make really stand out. I’d like to offer a tip I hope you’ll go into more detail but b & w can make people look younger. It reduces wrinkles…not that I have any 🙂
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Since I don’t take a lot of people portraits, I wasn’t aware of this tip. Thanks.
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I don’t either, except family. But it really does make a difference.
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Thanks Cee. That was really helpful. It explains why sometimes I have trouble with some B&W photos – too much texture. I really appreciate your tips!!
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Thanks Joanne. Hopefully this week I’ll get around to part two. I might even have a part three. 🙂
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Thank you, Cee. Shoot in color, then convert to B&W. I’ll work on that this week.
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Yep, if you have the post processing software, it is always better to have your camera take the photo as it currently is. Have fun playing. Show me the results. 😀
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Reblogged this on N7NET's Weblog.
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