How to simply take a high-definition black-and-white photo?

First, the main classification of black and white photos

We usually have a special feeling when we see the black and white photos of the master, but we always can't tell where the feeling is. Our most common black-and-white photos can actually be divided into three categories: high light tone, medium light tone and low light tone. The distinction between the two is very simple, and it is judged by the amount of light and dark distribution in the picture. We usually say that in order to shoot excellent photographic works, we must first explore from an unknown angle. Accustomed to the color world when I open my eyes every day, I don't know much about the black and white world, so black and white photos have become the subject of artistic photography.

Main classification of black-and-white photos

It can be said that the master black-and-white photos we usually see mainly take advantage of Gao Fancha's live performance and seize the shooting opportunity. In addition to the above three forms of black-and-white photos, we have seen many black-and-white photos divided by comparison. Many mobile phones have such photo filters directly built in, such as "monochrome", "hue" and "black and white" of iPhone.

If the theme is appropriate, the distinction between the three is obvious.

For monochrome tones, the contrast between light and dark is relatively large, while the tone is just the opposite, and the details from light to dark are the most prominent. The contrast between black and white is the most obvious, and pixels filled with color will be darker. The author's understanding of them is different, and it should be said that the use occasions should be divided according to people or objects. Like the above example, to express the melancholy mood in rainy days, I think it is more appropriate to choose monochrome (medium contrast).

Second, when is it not suitable to take black and white photos?

Let's take the iPhone with three black and white filters as an example. Don't think that these three belong to the category of black and white, and you can use them casually. That was not the case. The premise of using the black-and-white theme filter is to use it when the contrast between light and shade is large (pay attention to the contrast between light and shade rather than color). Let me show you a common photo first, and use the renderings of three filters respectively, which will let you have a deeper understanding of gray-scale photos.

When the contrast between light and dark is weak, there is little difference among the three black and white filters.

Among the three black-and-white filters that come with the iPhone, we find that there seems to be little difference among the three filters. In fact, the reason is that the color brightness is at one level, of course, it is closer after the gray mode conversion. As the author said just now, the contrast between light and shade and color is completely different, which is easier for students who are sensitive to color to understand. The contrast between red and green is great, but they are very consistent after switching to black and white mode. Look at the color card comparison chart below.

Comparison between color card and black and white card

From the color chart, we can know that the richer the color in nature, the darker it will be after black and white. So what I want to say is that beginners of photography want to take special black-and-white photos, in addition to having very good ideas, they must also have the ability of real-time color conversion algorithm. It's not complicated. The author's experience summary is actually to find a scene with a big contrast between light and dark. This kind of consciousness can be tempered by appreciating the master's black and white works at ordinary times. If there is no strong contrast between light and shade, it is better to take bright-colored photos.

Third, how to create high-end black and white art?

Personally, I work in the Pacific Network Building. Because it happens to be dark, I can take wonderful black and white photos just by walking around. The author believes that the most important thing for excellent black-and-white photos with aura is to highlight the narrative theme. In the following photo sample, it would be better if you could partially cut out (such as the first picture) the scene of people walking after the rain. However, because the author uses a mobile phone, the details are seriously lost after 100% magnification, so the author prefers not to cut it, and the sky after the rain is also integrated into it. The greater the contrast, the better the effect.

The more obvious the contrast between light and shade in rainy days, the more outstanding the work (iPhone6s)

The more obvious the contrast between light and shade on a sunny day, the more outstanding the work (iPhone6s)

In real life, there are actually many scenes with great contrast between light and dark. If you can find out carefully, whether you shoot with a mobile phone or a camera, their effects will not be very different. After all, after all the colors have been discarded. At the same time, the author thinks that if the more frightening noise in daily shooting can be added to the black-and-white photos, it will have more flavor of the film age. High ISO value can make black and white photos more brazenly.