Photo by omar alnahi from Pexels Black and White Photography Editing Tips If there are any vibrant colours you’d usually avoid, take a photo of them and convert the results to B&W. What may look appealing to you in colour may not look that great in black and white, and vice versa.įocus on the things you usually overlook or leave out. When you look for objects to include in your portraits, don’t forget to think in black and white. They’ll compliment your subject’s poses and enhance your compositions. Keep an eye out for these things when you take photographs. Negative space, like an empty sky or a black background, will give your portrait a minimalistic yet striking look. Wrinkles, freckles, and fabric will all tell a story of their own in black and white.Įxpressions will add depth to every other part of your photograph. These include textures, expressions, and negative space. Combine that with a great pose and you’ll have the perfect black and white portrait.Ī lack of color gives other elements a chance to be seen and appreciated. This will make your photos eye-catching and impactful. When you ask your models to pose a certain way, make sure their eyes look bright and sparkly. Many photographers recommend focusing on the eyes when taking black and white portraits. This information will allow you to tell your story through their unique personality. Befriending your subjects will help you understand what makes them who they are. Also, get to know your models before you work with them. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes during this process. Posing relies heavily on communication and practice. It’s important to know what looks most natural. Every curve, movement, and texture will be emphasised. Without any distracting colors and details, your subject will stand out. Research B&W portraits, analyse what stands out to you, and find out why you like those portraits. There’s nothing wrong with using other people’s work for inspiration.
If you know how to give clear instructions, you won’t have to deal with any confusion later on. Once you choose an emotion that appeals to you, consider the instructions you’ll give to your model. How do I want my model to feel when I take these photos?.If you’re aiming for a brighter atmosphere, take photos in a well-lit location. If you want people to feel touched when they look at your work, experiment with fewer light sources and more shadows. How do I want people to feel when they look at my portraits?.All you have to do is ask yourself three simple questions: You don’t even have to come up with a complicated idea. The type of lighting you should work with depends on the kind of story you want your photos to tell. The lack of light, which may look unappealing in color, will look dramatic in B&W. The grain in your image will create a rough, film-like look. I know this might sound intimidating, but it’s ideal for shooting black and white portraits.
When I take portrait photography at night (or in a place with limited light), I like to experiment with high ISO numbers. If you have a different method, don’t feel left out, but do remain open to experimenting with new settings. However, this is just my way of working with aperture. It will also eliminate any potential distractions, and look amazing in B&W. A soft background will complement your model’s features. This range makes my subjects stand out and creates gorgeous bokeh. To do this, I use an aperture of f/1.8 – f/2.5. When I take photos of people, I like to separate them from their backgrounds.
This information will help you before, during, and after your photo shoot. You’ll get to challenge yourself and take better photos.Ĭamera settings, lighting, location, and your models posing all have to be planned carefully before your photo shoot.Īs you read the following points, think about the stories you want to tell and what you want your viewers to feel when they look at your work. Learning how to shoot for B&W as opposed to in B&W will help you strengthen your ability to think creatively.
Not every image looks appealing in black and white.You can adjust certain “colors” using tools like sliders in Lightroom or Selective Color in Photoshop. If you shoot in color first, you’ll have more control during the editing process.But it should not be your main tool for taking black and white photos. It’s a fun feature worth experimenting with. Should You Shoot in Black and White Mode?Ī lot of cameras have a B&W shooting option.