May 20, 2008

Techniques of Black and White Photography

Indopak talk

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 Techniques black white

Photography in its simplest definition is the recording of light. When taking photographs in black and white light and its interplay with the subject of your photo must be uppermost in your mind. With practice you will develop the most essential skill necessary for good black and white photography being able to imagine your subject in black and white and seeing in black and white can be learned through paying close attention to the quality and direction of light. Examine the paintings of the Impressionists. These works are as much about the quality of light as they are about their subjects. One of the clearest examples is the haystack series by Claude Monet. Even though Monets subject and viewpoint are exactly the same in every painting each of these paintings differs greatly because of the quality of light. It is this same consideration of light that the black and white photographer must keep in mind. The first and most important consideration of any photograph is viewpoint. What is your subject? What is it that you want to the photograph say or show and is there enough light to record your subject? The red that stands out brilliantly in an early evening color shot will be rendered gray in a black and white photo. Is there enough light to display your subject as you want it rendered and the light source natural? Is your subject directly lit by the primary light source sun- flash or is the subject lit by reflection of light from clouds or off a large bright object? Direct light produces sharp dark shadows and contrast between light and dark. Diffused light such as the light of a cloudy day softens shadows and produces softer tones of gray in your photo and the direction of light has affects depth dimension and detail. Side lighting produces greater dimensional effects. Front lighting reduces texture and depth.

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