PHOTOGRAPHYBLACK & WHITE

One of the elements that can give interest to a black and white shot is contrast.

Because you can’t use color to distinguish one element of your image from another

the tonal variances (light, dark and shades in between) become all the more important.

*Look at the differences in tones in the following pictures…

LOOK FOR CONTRAST

THERE IS A CLEAR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DARK AND LIGHT TONES TO ENHANCE DETAILS

HIGHLIGHTS AND DARK AREAS HELP BRING “DRAMA” TO THE PICTURE.

USING BACKGROUND/FOREGROUND THAT HAVE DISTINCT TONES (IE. WHITE CHAIRS) HELP ENHANCE

THE SUBJECT IF IT IS MADE UP OF DARK TONES.

Side lighting will reveal any texture that a subject might have (and in portraits will

accentuate features).

Light from any one direction will create shadows.

USE THE RIGHT LIGHT

SUBJECTS’ FEATURES ARE ENHANCED AND DETAILS ON THE FACE ARE ACCENTUATED

BACKLIGHTING (IN THIS CASE) CREATES A SILHOUETTE. THIS ROBS THE SUBJECT OF DETAIL BUT

ENHANCES THE SHAPES CREATED BY THE SUBJECT.

Patterns or shapes that can sometimes almost go unseen in color (due to the color itself drawing

attention) can come alive in a black and white shot.

Black and White shots that rely upon pattern can often take on an abstract quality.

*Pay special attention to the LINES and FOCAL POINTS created that would be otherwise difficult to

distinguish if the image were in colour

SHAPES AND PATTERNS

CAPTURE TEXTURE

1. Shoot in colour and convert to black and white using your editing program

2. Use a low ISO in order to maintain a crisp image (“digital noise” is more obvious in

B&W)

3. Shoot in low contrast situations (ie. Gloomy days)

4. Use shapes, tones and textures as focal points and pay attention to shadows and highlights

TIPS FOR TAKING BLACK & WHITE SHOTS

1. Using the information provided in this lesson, you are going to hand in six different pictures, including the originals taken in colour (12 pictures in total will be in your document) two will be nature shots, two will be taken around the school, two will be of people (using various lighting)

2. You will then submit your “best” shot for our B&W photo contest in order to win a prize!

• Photos submitted for the contest will be evaluated by your peers

• Your ability to provide constructive criticism will also factor into your overall mark (ie. Don’t just say a photo is “neat”, explain why you like it…contrast, leading lines to the subject, perspective, etc.)

YOUR TASK

This project is due WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 31, 2012