Black and white photography makes the work more artistic.

Lead: When we take black and white photos, how can we make them more artistic? In a colorless world, how should we grasp the quality of photos? Let's take a look. Black and white photos should also pay attention to the coordination of light and shadow.

1. Shoot the original file

Many novice photographers are not used to shooting RAW files. Although the volume of the RAW file is relatively large, it can be fine-tuned to a greater extent later (such as adjusting exposure, contrast, saturation, etc.). ), especially useful for taking digital black and white photos. Therefore, it is recommended to choose RAW or RAW+JPG format for storage when shooting.

2. Use low ISO

The noise of digital photos is different from that of negatives. To take beautiful digital black-and-white photos, the lower the ISO, the better, so that the quality and black-and-white outline of the photos will be more prominent.

Low ISO makes the outline of the main body more prominent.

3. Take black and white photos with high light tone, middle tone and low light tone.

Black and white photos are mainly divided into three categories: high tone, middle tone and low tone.

Highlights: Most photos with highlights are white, and only a few photos are black. This type of photo can bring readers a bright, light and elegant feeling, and is suitable for shooting beautiful scenery, children, girls and so on.

Mid-tone: Mid-tone photos are the most common. When the black, white and gray parts in a photo are evenly distributed, the feeling brought by the photo often depends on the contrast of the photo.

Low profile: Low profile is the antonym of high profile. Most of the pictures are black, and only a few are prominent white. Such photos give people a deep, mysterious, strong and strong feeling.

It should be noted that when shooting, we should not indulge in taking photos of a certain color, but carefully weigh the scene and decide which photo is more suitable. Light-colored photos should be exposed by one level, while light-colored photos can be lowered by one level to express a stronger feeling.

Highlighted photos bring a bright feeling.

Average distribution of black, white and gray in halftone photos

The low light tone brings a mysterious and profound feeling.

Looking for high contrast

Because black-and-white photos lack color, only black-and-white contrast can express feelings, so contrast is a very important element in black-and-white photos. When we shoot (even if we take color photos and then turn them into black and white with a soft worker), we must first find out the environment with high contrast (obvious light and dark) before shooting.

The contrast between young and old gives the audience a sense of shock.

Look for patterns and textures

In color photos, patterns and textures are often ignored, because colors often steal the focus, and one of the elements of good black and white photos is to express unique patterns and textures. You can try more

A neat pattern with colors. In stark contrast.

Black and white tones highlight the unique spiral.

Pay attention to the light

Like the fourth point, look for high contrast, because black and white photos have no color, so it is necessary to express the picture by light and dark positions. Pay attention to the direction and intensity of light when shooting. For example, taking a portrait with sidelight can bring out a half-silhouette effect, while a single light source will produce a shadow, so we can observe it carefully when shooting. Of course, silhouette is also a good attempt!

Side lighting can produce a half-outline effect.

7. Shooting dynamic sky and water

Novices can add an element to the black-and-white landscape photos-movement! In fact, it is a moving cloud or water. Because the cloud or water is white, it will produce a white picture. The moving cloud and water will bring layers of light and shade, instantly making black and white photos vivid!

The slow shutter captures the flow of clouds.

Moving clouds bring black and white photos to life.

8. Post-production converts color photos into black and white photos.

If you have some color photos, or want to take color photos and then convert them into black and white photos with software, there are actually many ways, but the simplest way is to adjust the image and black and white adjustment options in Photoshop. Of course, if you are shooting RAW files, it is more convenient to convert them into RAW editors!

Photoshop's black-and-white adjustment option can adjust black-and-white photos.