5 Tips Black and White Photography

1. Shooting in RAW

I know many readers of DPS can in RAW (because the camera does not offer), or in RAW (because they are either not reported or not) but because of the greater control in post-production phase of the conversion of their color images in black and white - You want to shoot in RAW if your camera allows. Of course shooting in JPEG is not stopping the recording black and white - but if there is an option, enter a RAW-go, you may be surprised that in post-production will be offered through that. More RAW vs JPEG here.

2. Shoot color

If the camera does not let in RAW (or not choose) - shoot in color and make your conversion to black and white later on your computer.

While most digital cameras the option to shoot in black and white (offer and can produce), meaningful results have more control over the final results when the color data on their implementation in computer work. (Read about the choice between the photo on the conversion of production black and white or) mail.

Update: There is an exception to shooting in color and when you are taking note of point 1 above (shooting in RAW). When shooting in RAW and switching to monochrome mode to see results on the screen in white on black, but the camera actually records all information (including color) - the best of both worlds. But if you shoot in JPEG to take - in color and converting later. With Joost (in comments), this memory.


3. As part of the ISO

Shooting with the lowest ISO possible. While this is something that is most of us in color photography especially important when it comes to black and white where noise can be created by the ISO, even more clearly. If you) to this noise (or grain, you can always add more later in post-production - but it is difficult to go somewhere else and take the noise.


4. When pulling

Many digital photographers prefer to take pictures of Black and White in low contrast situations. So one day dark and cloudy it can be a good time to fire shots on goal.

Ironically, are the days when you only shoot in color, at home to complain about the "bad light to stay." The next time you encounter a sad, dark days - shoot some black and white photos.

5. Composition

Most common advice to compose or frame a good shot in the same manner as those in black and white photography, as in the recording is not in color - but the obvious difference that you can not use color to the eye lead shot in or around your. That means you have to look for the train at the shapes, colors and textures in your frame as points of interest to. Pay special attention to the shadows and highlights which will be a feature of your shot.