Using Digital SLR Cameras for Black and White Photography

Being able to effectively manipulate your scene to suit your style and the requirements for the shoot are very important. Color and lighting are two key areas that can be altered by your choice of camera settings and post production methods.

If you look into the options provided within your camera for black and white photography you may be able to eliminate one step of the post processing job you face after the shoot. Some cameras offer very good quality when it comes to this feature but these are generally the higher end models.

One of the main reasons this is a good function to use, is that it’ll help you learn just how to view a scene without seeing the color. If you wish to use post processing later and take a color original you’ll need to be able to see what will make a good black and white photo without seeing it in black and white. These functions on your camera help you to learn how to do that.

Lighting is a major component to any photography, and in black and white it is doubly important. You can increase or decrease contrast results and sometimes harsher lighting styles will work very well in black and white where they could be horrible in color images. Creating depth in the image with shadow and other features can all be achieved by knowing how to adjust your lighting.

For landscapes, you’ll find that it is best to use as much sky as possible. Generally the cloudy dark sky is more popular in black and white photography and you’ll find it creates a very moody final image. If you can’t access storms then you can enhance the darkness of clouds in post processing.

Black and white landscapes should be emotive and striking in their contrast and composition.

Using Digital SLR Cameras for Black and White Photography