Is there some learning resource specific for BW pictures? I'm really interested in knowing what are the characteristics of a scene that make for a great BW shot. Thoughts?
beardedshooter wrote:
Is there some learning resource specific for BW pictures? I'm really interested in knowing what are the characteristics of a scene that make for a great BW shot. Thoughts?
Might I suggest an excellent book on "Creative Black and White" by Harold Davis.
Extremely well written book that provides a solid basis for monochrome composition.
He provides excellent explanations to the images he posts in the book!
Davis also provides a b/w@monochrome workflow in different post processing software.
He leaves much to what the photographer "sees" in the monochrome image!
Good luck!
Dan
To start I would say go to museums and look at the work of Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Minor White, Robert Frank. The actual silver gelatin or platinum prints. You first have to know where the bar has been set to know what to reach for. It's hard to make great B&W photographs if you don't know what a great B&W photograph looks like.
to add to the above..(especially airfrogusmc)..
there are a number of very talented BW photographers on this forum, with different styles, different equipment, technique
are you seeing someone's work you really like? I doubt you'd get a tutorial, but maybe some direction with a PM or at least clarifying what your "look' is, what output you hope to emulate
One of the things I like about Silver Efex Pro and now LR (probably PS as well, I don't go there as much) is a preview panel of different presets to help visualize output).
Scott
sbeme wrote:
to add to the above..(especially airfrogusmc)..
there are a number of very talented BW photographers on this forum, with different styles, different equipment, technique
are you seeing someone's work you really like? I doubt you'd get a tutorial, but maybe some direction with a PM or at least clarifying what your "look' is, what output you hope to emulate
One of the things I like about Silver Efex Pro and now LR (probably PS as well, I don't go there as much) is a preview panel of different presets to help visualize output).
Scott
Scott
The reference I mentioned above Scott has a few chapters strictly devoted to Nik SEFxPro and LR.
Dan
Thanks everybody, I really appreciate all your suggestions! I'm definitely reading "Creative Black and White" and checking out the art work from the mentioned photographers!
Look for books by Michael Freeman, Bruce Barnbaum, Chuck Kimmerle. They've all written interesting resources for people getting into digital black and white. There are many others of course.
I also echo the advice to go and look at lots of black and white photos to figure out what appeals to you. Today's aesthetic is very different from the one of the past. Go to www.shorpy.com to see what I mean.
One thing I'd suggest, in addition to what's been mentioned, is to set your camera's menu to monochrome so that you start seeing imaging as B&W rather than trying to envision a conversion. I'm making an assumption here that you're using a digital rather than analog camera. Force yourself to shoot nothing but B&W for a few weeks and I think you'll be surprised at how differently you begin to look at scenes, people and objects.
This morning I thought of one other thing that could be of interest. I subscribe to a publication called Black & White Magazine and find it very inspiring. You might want to check it out.
