Black and white photography: Taking great black and white photographs

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.

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 Monet’s 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.

Considerations for black and white photography:

Viewpoint. 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. 

Amount of light. 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?

Source of Light. Is 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?

Quality of Light. 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.

Direction of Light. The direction of light has affects depth, dimension and detail. Side lighting produces greater dimensional effects. Front lighting reduces texture and depth. Back lighting highlights form and reduces detail.

Other Considerations. In black and white photography, as color is muted, other design elements gain in significance.

• Shape – Shape is not only defined by the objects depicted but also by blocks of light and dark in the photo.

• Tone – Tone is conveyed through the use of dark and light in the photograph. Dark toned photographs use shadows and dark gray areas to convey a mood such as sadness, emptiness, etc. Light toned photographs can convey moods such as openness or space.

• Texture –The surface qualities of the subject give texture to a photograph. Texture can add realism or depth, and the lack of texture can add a mythic or ideal quality to a photo.

• Lines – Lines give focus and structure to your photograph. Lines draw the viewer’s eye through the photograph. Lines add movement and tension.

• Patterns – Pattern is the repetition of line and shape. Pattern can give rhythm and structure to a photograph.