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Photography Focus – Black and White Photography

1 Comment | This entry was posted on Aug 25 2010

Black and White (B&W) photography is a discipline; this means it involves a set of specific limitations, in this case no use of colour. Experimenting with disciplines will give you a greater awareness of photography and increase your ability to perceive a different perspective.

Many people overlook the power of a black and white image, as the colour is part of the picture there to be captured. The truth is that B&W photography often helps captivate the viewer and show a different focus. Their elegant and timeless nature strengthen their impact and increase their popularity. So what can Black and White Photography do for you?

Black and white heightens emotional connection,
Black and white produces clean lines and contrast in images,
Black and white highlights the depth accentuating the varying light,
Black and white can transform an ordinary scene to something spectacular.

When we see a colour photo, our mind immediately begins to identify and label the elements in the scene, meaning that we often do not really ‘see’ the photo, but instead see our mind’s interpretation of it.

So how do you decide when a picture should be Black and White, what makes a stunning Black and White photo. Below are four considerations for B&W Photography.

1. Contrast

Contrast is vital in Black and White Photography to separte and define objects. The human eye is designed to decern both colour and light intensity, without colour we become more sensative to the varying intensity of light. The difference in the light intensity makes the black and white photograph, without it you lose interest and a diminished focal point.

Using contrast can create a strong focus causing your subject to stand out from the background, but be careful of removing all depth from the image, the shading and tones of a black and white photograph can add amazing depth.

2. Shape and Form

Without the distraction of colour in a photograph the shape and form of an object become more obvious. In colour photography it is often the colour the catches the attention of the eye and creates a focal point, while the shape subtley guides the eye across the image.

In Black and White photography the attention falls more to shape, with less distraction from colour the line of an element is often all that the eye has to look at, make sure your black and white photos emphasis the most interesting aspect of form.

Lines that are repetitive, or that directly contrast with one another make a powerful focal point, as do shapes that are opposites.

3. Texture and Pattern

As colours often draw more of the viewers attention, patterns and textures can go unnoticed. No colour an the pattern or texture appear more prominently. Drawing the eye to the shapes formed by different elements within the image.

While texture is a form of contrast the perception is different, people don’t see them for what they are, a pattern of highlights and shadows.

B&W Photography lend themselves to accentuating these patterns as a layer of complexity is removed, to unveil the subtle textures.

4. Lighting

The lighting of a black and white image will increase or decrease all of the elements listed above, shape, contrast, patterns and textures.

To produce a high quality image it is vital to consider how the lighting will influence these factors, remember a strong image comes from care consideration.