| Black-and-white photography has become increasingly | | | | Light and shadow |
| popular once again. When color photography first burst | | | | You could say that light and shadow are all there is to |
| upon the scene, black-and-white photography fell out | | | | black-and-white photographs. That's why it's so |
| of favor. It was seen as "old" and "out." But in recent | | | | important to use them to your advantage. Take |
| years, we are rediscovering the beauty of | | | | pictures of the same scene at different times of the |
| black-and-white, and today we admire the power and | | | | day and you'll see how important light and shadow are |
| purity of black-and-white images. | | | | to the mood of a photograph. You can also |
| Here are some important elements to consider in | | | | experiment with different qualities of light. For example, |
| taking black-and-white photographs. | | | | take a picture of a fence on a bright day, and take |
| Subject | | | | another picture of the same fence on a foggy day. |
| Choose your subject carefully. Some subjects that | | | | Colors |
| look interesting in color look dull in black-and-white. On | | | | Some colors that are eye-catching in a color picture |
| the other hand, black-and-white can create an | | | | can get washed out in a black-and-white photograph. |
| unexpectedly intimate portrait or transform a simple | | | | The same thing can happen with color combinations. |
| scene into a dramatic moment. | | | | For example, red and green look striking together, but |
| Photographs of people look especially good in | | | | in a black-and-white photograph, the two colors are |
| black-and-white. More and more people are having | | | | nearly indistinguishable. It all comes back to subject. |
| their wedding pictures taken in black-and-white | | | | Choose a subject that looks interesting or dramatic in |
| because it makes the photographs look timeless and | | | | black-and-white and does not rely on color for its |
| therefore more romantic. Black-and-white photographs | | | | beauty. |
| of couples on honeymoon or on vacation can be | | | | Shapes |
| equally captivating. Whereas a color picture might be a | | | | Precisely because of its lack of color, black-and-white |
| mere record of a trip, a black-and-white photograph | | | | photography relies greatly on shapes and lines to |
| captures emotions and impressions with unusual | | | | provide interest. A black-and-white photograph that is |
| power. When you're in a festive or exciting place, your | | | | all straight lines can look modern and architectural, but it |
| first instinct might be to take color pictures, but if | | | | can also look flat. A subject that incorporates slanting |
| you've ever seen a black-and-white photograph of a | | | | lines, crooked lines, or curves generally looks interesting |
| man kissing a woman on a beach, you know how | | | | in black-and-white. |
| much more compelling a black-and-white photograph | | | | Texture |
| can be. | | | | Like shapes, textures are very important in |
| Black-and-white photographs of children and babies | | | | black-and-white photography. The surface of a straw |
| are also very beautiful and sentimental. Children grow | | | | hat has more visual impact than the surface of a |
| up, and babies won't be babies forever, so the | | | | baseball cap. If you're taking a picture of your small |
| nostalgic atmosphere that black-and-white | | | | son, consider dressing him in a cable-knit sweater |
| photographs create is especially appropriate. | | | | instead of a T-shirt. |
| When you're taking black-and-white photographs of | | | | Perspective |
| people, it is better if they are dressed simply and in | | | | In photography, perspective is one of your best friends. |
| solid colors, not in prints. The fewer the elements in a | | | | It can help you tell a story, suggest relationships, and |
| black-and-white photograph, the more dreamy or | | | | bring a boring subject to life. The black-and-white |
| dramatic it will be. | | | | photograph of straight lines mentioned above won't |
| Buildings, landscapes, and other scenes are also | | | | look flat if you take it from an unusual angle. If you're |
| valuable subjects in black-and-white photography. | | | | photographing a wall of windows, stand near the |
| Keep an eye out for the unexpected. The way the | | | | bottom of the building and point your camera up. If |
| light falls on a table, the shadow of a bicycle on the | | | | you're taking a picture of your new puppy, stand over |
| ground, or the swaying of a tree in the wind could be | | | | it with your camera, and it will look very small and |
| the subject of your next black-and-white masterpiece. | | | | sweet. |
| Background | | | | Remember, black-and-white photography is beautiful |
| Make sure the background does not distract from | | | | because it creates images that are so personal and |
| your subject. Sometimes moving your subject a few | | | | meaningful. Experiment with it and have fun with it. A |
| feet to the right or left is all that you need to eliminate | | | | few years from now, when your children are grown |
| unnecessary elements from your photograph. If that | | | | and you've moved to a different town, you'll be glad |
| doesn't work, try taking the picture from a different | | | | you made the effort to capture what was around you, |
| angle. | | | | when it was still around. |