Black and white photography is classy, stylish and can make even amateur shots look like they were taken by a professional. It works well for almost any type of photograph. Most digital cameras have a black and white photography feature, making taking classic looking pictures easy. Film enthusiasts can purchase basic black and white film at most department stores, or order professional grade monochromatic (black and white) film online.
Contrast
One of the most important black and white photography techniques to know is the correct use of contrast when setting up a shot. If your subject is light colored, against a light background, black and white isn't the best option. Black and white photographs turn out the best when there are dark and light elements in the picture. Mix a white background with a dark red rose in a medium dark vase. The contrast will provide a high impact and professional looking photograph.
Not all black and white photographs require high contrast. Sometimes a more subtle picture is better. For example, group portraits, nature subjects and other pictures with several subjects don't need as much contrast to be compelling.
Toning Down Irrelevant Details
Black and white photography can be used to reduce the effect of distracting elements in a shot. It is not always possible to remove people or objects from a desired shot. A brightly colored item can take the focus off the intended subject. Switching to the black and white setting on your camera can reduce the effect of the distraction. It can also camouflage a cluttered background, or clashing colors. Black and white photography can make "busy" aspects of a shot blend in to the rest of the picture.
Special Effects
Several special techniques can be used to get the best black and white look. One technique, most common for single lens reflex (SLR) cameras, is to use lens filters. These filters lightly "tone" a photograph, increasing depth and contrast, and changing the overall look of the picture. For example, a green filter increases contrast between a blue sky and white clouds by darkening the color of the sky and creating a more dynamic picture.
Many special effects techniques for black and white photographs are best to learn with a just a little practice. Most photo editing software has special settings for black and white pictures, allowing users to improve contrast or even apply filter effects without needing to purchase an expensive camera and lens set. Photo editing software can also alter color pictures, making them black and white, or even add color to black and white photos, accenting one or more aspects of the original shot.
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