In the last issue we talked about using lenses in photography.

In this issue we are going to talk about the power of black and white

photography. I personally don't shoot with black and white in mind but in post production I see myself converting my photos over to the light and dark side.

 

It’s interesting how sometimes older technologies or art forms take on

an even greater value when they are made obsolete by the new and

modern.  This is certainly true of black and white photography.  When

color photography came on the scene, it seemed the days of black and

white in both video and photography were over forever.

 

But that was certainly not the case.  Over the years we have seen black

and white take on a new artistic value in both genres.  In fact, it isn't at

all unusual any more to see a very modern movie filmed entirely in black

and white.  It is also common to visit a fine art museum and find a

photographic art display that uses black and white extensively.  Black

and white has some artistic and emotional qualities that are just not

possible to achieve in color photography.

 

Probably the strongest quality that grabs the viewer with a black and

white photo is its emotional power.  Even if the photo is just of an old

barn or an antique car, there is an emotional appeal that is difficult to

analyze in words but universal to all of us as we look at a black and

white shot. That is why black and white photos almost instantly take on

an artistic look. So if you are evolving your artistic photography style

and portfolio, including some experimentation with black and white will

do a lot to improve your work.

 

Black and white also focuses the eye on the emotional center of the

piece.  Probably the best subject for black and white photography is the

human face.  In even a tranquil expression, the viewer can see such a

vast range of expression in the eyes, the tilt of the head, the subtle

wrinkles or peculiarities of the face and the focus of the gaze.

 

Black and white almost always invites the viewer to want to know about

the story behind the picture.  If it’s a landscape, “What happened here?”

is the question that often springs to the mind of the viewer and the

longer they gaze at the photo, the more their imagination fills in the

details.  If you are viewing the face of a serene or melancholy girl, it is

almost impossible not to wonder what she is dreaming about or what of

life’s issues is weighing on her mind.

 

Along with the emotional power and the way black and white compels

the viewer to search for meaning, black and white carries with it a

tremendous romantic power that touches the heart in a powerful way.

 

That romance can easily translate over to the sensual or even the erotic

without having to become pornographic to achieve that effect.  Shots

that are trying to evoke the power of sensuality and romance do well

when they involve moisture or a water scene such as the beach.

Despite the lack of color, these colors appeal to the five senses in ways

that color can never hope to achieve.

 

You can experiment with black and white and gather the responses of

friends and family to learn how to utilize the subtle but powerful artistic

nuances that seem to come with black and white photography almost

unconsciously.  The digital camera has ushered in a whole new era of

black and white photography.  You see the form used even in otherwise

non artistic settings like wedding portfolios or anniversary pictures.

That is because of that emotional and romantic power that black and

white conveys.

 

If you have not started to experiment with black and white shots, it’s

worth the time to learn how to capture the powerful images this type of

photography can make possible.  Along with the creative use of light

and framing, black and white gives itself well to editing that you can do

with Photoshop to bring out the emotional center of each shot.  Before

long, you may actually find yourself seeing black and white shots in a

color world.  Your awareness of what will make a great moment in this

format will become acute and you will be ready to capture those

moments spontaneously, which is always the best kind of photography.

 

Make sure you look for your next issue soon. West Palm Beach Photography will be talking about candid photography and how to get great shots.