Among all the techniques learnt to click that perfect photograph, taking black & white pictures is one of the most captivating!
At a photography school, monochromatic photography is an important topic of study. Monochromatic photography is effective when done in the right setup and with the right application of a specific method.
Like most photography training institutes, we recommend that a DSLR camera is used to practice and explore this technique. It offers a variety of settings and features that can be played with to get the intended result.
We shall also hand you a few tips on editing your shots to convert or enhance the picture into the best black & white version.
Here are few things to keep in mind while, before and after clicking impressive black & white photos:
Click in Uncompressed Format
Remember, your clicked photos can be stored in several formats including RAW and JPEG. Since the quality of a black & white photograph depends a lot on its clarity, it would be best to save it in RAW format.
That’s because the RAW format is uncompressed and hence stores complete image data (also called lossless). It has a greater dynamic range that allows highlights and shadows to be recorded with greater accuracy and fullness.
Visualise the Defining Features
The most prominent features in a black & white image are the lines, shadows and shapes. Compared to colour, these 3 details make all the difference in the monochrome image. Visualising in terms of these properties before shooting can help decide on the scene and the frame for best results. So watch out for the shadowy depths, edgy lines and sharp shapes!
Have Scope for Good Contrast
Black & white images thrive on its scope for having contrast details. Applying a good amount of contrast can actually make the image stand out! If the frame has enough contrast already while clicking, it can be edited perfectly to bring out sharper details.
These, and many other techniques, are taught to all the budding photographers who pursue Hamstech’s certificate course in photography.
Use a Polarizer
Using a polarizer helps to remove highlights like the ones created by reflective surfaces. Clicking a water body in daylight, for instance, would produce extensive reflection. A polarizer eliminates the effect of these reflections and saves the overall composition of the image.
Use Appropriate Colour Filters
When a coloured image is converted into black & white, different effects can be attained in the same image by tweaking their colour filters. After desaturation, the image shall have a rich range of greys corresponding to the original colour channels. Adjusting them in an image editor can create various effects.
Black & white photography is an important module which is taught across our photography classes to help our students achieve the desired shot and resulting effect.
At Hamstech Institute, expert trainers enlighten the budding photographers on methods of attaining stunning photographs, especially for images that tells a story with a timeless feel to it.