Why black and white?
If there is one genre of photography I find both challenging and rewarding, it is high-contrast black-and-white photography. There is an honesty to these images that I do not always find in colour photographs. They place particular demands on the photographer: how to portray the subject, how to use light, and how to balance highlights and shadows.
Black and white is also a way for me to express my own emotions. On a difficult day, that mood can find its way into a photograph and give it a melancholic quality. Perhaps that is one of the reasons I keep returning to this style.
Simplicity
Without colour to guide the viewer’s eye, composition becomes even more important. I often find that simple, uncluttered images work best: a clearly defined subject, isolated from distractions. Think about how light and contrast shape the photograph before you press the shutter.
Lighting plays a major part. Direct light can create strong contrast, while side lighting reveals texture and form. This is particularly effective in portraits, where it can emphasise a person’s features and character.
Shapes and silhouettes
Bold shapes that stand out against their surroundings can make powerful black-and-white photographs. The outline of a hot-air balloon against a bright sky is a simple example. Architecture offers endless possibilities too: angular buildings, rooflines and rows of windows can create strong graphic compositions.
Silhouettes are another effective way of emphasising shape. Place the subject against a much brighter background, expose for the brighter area and allow the subject to fall into shadow. Landscapes can also work beautifully in black and white, but pay particular attention to the sky. Dramatic clouds can become an important part of the composition.
It is all about contrast
The basic principles of composition apply just as much to black-and-white photography as they do to colour. The difference is that you cannot rely on vivid colours to make an image interesting. Look instead for edges, textures, shapes and tonal separation. Highlights and shadows become central to the photograph, and sometimes breaking the conventional rules is exactly what gives an image its strength.
When I find myself complaining about poor light, I sometimes take that as a reason to switch to black and white. A dark or overcast day can be a wonderful opportunity. Rain, wet asphalt and hard shadows can all create the contrast and atmosphere that make a monochrome image work. While others may see difficult conditions, there may be an interesting photograph waiting to be found.
A technical perspective
I usually aim for the lowest ISO that suits the photograph. That is often a sensible starting point in colour photography too, but the relationship between noise and grain deserves particular attention in black and white. Digital noise can be distracting, although a little texture can also add character. It is usually easier to add grain in post-processing than to rescue detail from an image where noise has become overwhelming.
Some photographers argue that converting a colour photograph to black and white afterwards is all you need to do. I disagree. To compose well for monochrome, you need to learn to see the scene in terms of light, shadow, texture and tone before taking the photograph.
My Sony Alpha A99V, a full-frame SLT camera, helps because its electronic viewfinder can show a monochrome preview and give me an idea of how the final image may look. The preview is a creative aid, not a substitute for understanding exposure and tonal range.
One of the most useful articles I have read on the subject is Using Coloured Filters in Black and White Photography. It is well worth reading.
Grain can be part of the image. A higher ISO does not automatically make a photograph unusable. In the example below, photographer Chris Formont kindly allowed me to share a photograph that shows how grain can contribute to the result.
An interesting sky can make a photograph. Martin Jack kindly allowed me to share this example. Visit his Flickr photographs for more inspiration.
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