Complete Guide to Black and White Photography: Tips, Techniques, and How to Select Black and White Photography Subjects

Ever since Louis Daguerre produced the first “daguerreotype” image in 1839, photographers have been experimenting with light and exposure to produce black and white photographs.

While black and white images were prevalent throughout the turn of the century, due to camera film’s exclusive ability to produce imagery in monochrome, advances in photography equipment and technology made it possible to capture color images, beginning with autochrome in the 1910s and graduating to full-color photography by the ’50s.

The charm of black and white photography is not lost, however: masters of the art form like Ansel Adams have inspired generations of picture-takers to set their cameras to monochrome and shoot.

While you may see the terms “black and white” and “monochrome” used interchangeably, there are some important differences between these two types of photography.

• Monochrome photos are composed entirely of different shades of the same color.
• Black and white photos, for instance, are monochrome photos using different shades of gray, from with black as the darkest shade and white as the lightest. (For this reason, black and white photos are also known as grayscale photos.)
• However, a monochrome photo can also use shades of a different color. For instance, sepia and cyanotype are two styles of monochrome photos that use shades of reddish-brown and blue, respectively.

There is no one perfect camera for black and white photography, but there are definitely some things you should keep in mind if you want to start taking black and white shots.

1. 1. A black and white camera. For starters, you’ll need a digital camera with monochrome settings, such as a DSLR camera, mirrorless camera, or even a good smartphone. While it’s possible to take images in full color and then apply a black and white filter, it’s better to shoot the original in black and white so that you can adjust the settings, properly exposing the image in the moment. This produces a more accurate result, since a photographer can control, in real time, the appearance of shadows, the contrast of light and dark, and how the subject appears against the background. Canon, Sony, and Nikon all provide a range of good, beginner-friendly DSLR and mirrorless cameras that offer black and white photography settings.
2. 2. Photo editing software. Even without color, black and white digital photography is a complicated art. To get the best results, you’ll almost certainly need to edit your black and white photos after you take them using a post-processing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. For smartphone users, supplementary apps like ProShot for Android and Halide for iOS will enable you to capture extra information from your camera sensor and transition seamlessly from shooting to editing.

There are benefits to shooting black and white images in different file types. Professional photographers typically take their photos in RAW format, although beginners may feel more comfortable experimenting with JPEGs. Here is a quick reference for JPEG vs. RAW image files in black and white photography.

• RAW. Short for raw image format, this is an unprocessed digital file format that is rich with detail. RAW files provide a more robust foundation for post-processing and editing because they capture more information than other image formats like JPEG and PNG. However, RAW files are also very large, which means they’ll take up more space on you camera’s memory card. In addition, due to the large amount of information coming from your digital sensor, some cameras may struggle to take multiple RAW shots in quick succession.
• JPEG. Short for Joint Photographic Experts Group, which created the file standard in 1992, JPEG is a common format for compressed digital images. JPEG files are smaller and easier for your camera to process. Like RAW, JPEG files can be edited using photography software; however, JPEG files compress information, which means that details like brightness, white balance, and exposure can be lost, resulting in lower quality or distorted images.

When shooting with a DSLR camera, the option to change to RAW format should be available in the camera’s settings (usually under quality).

Keep the following black and white photography tips in mind if you want to improve your skillset.

1. 1. Composition. In photography, composition refers to placement of objects and elements in an image. When selecting a black and white subject, examine the composition: how much is dark, and how much light? Are there interesting shapes to play with for maximal contrast? Could you manipulate the background or foreground (e.g. with canvas or other materials) to provide a contrasting surface your subjects will really pop against? By rearranging elements and balancing them with space, you can create a more interesting black and white image.
2. 2. Contrast. Eliminating color from an image creates a stronger emphasis on tonal contrast, which is the difference in shades from light to dark and their relationship to each other in an image. Seek out subjects that are in high contrast with each other or their environments, and offer a high dynamic range—that is, a wide distribution between the darkest and lightest tones.
3. 3. Shadow. In black and white photography, shadows aren’t just darker regions of a photo: they are key elements of your subject, and may even be the subject themselves. Whether they contain details, or are completely black, shadows play an important role in the feel and impact of your photos.
4. 4. Shapes. In the absence of color, shapes determine how we identify and appreciate the objects and scenes in a photo. The best black and white photographs use interesting combinations of shapes and textures to help viewers experience their subjects.

The first step to capturing beautiful images in black and white is choosing the right subject to photograph.

Here are some guidelines for choosing subjects for black and white photography.

• Keep it simple. Black and white is an inherently minimalist approach to photography. Highly detailed scenes, like a farmer’s market with vibrant produce in an assortment of bins, don’t serve as ideal black and white photographs, since the lack of color effectively eliminates the most interesting part of the shot. Instead, opt for austerity in styling and simplicity in setting.
• Consider portraits. Portrait photography offers a unique opportunity to capture the subtlety of a simple subject. A clean background such as a lightly textured wall or a drop cloth hung in a makeshift studio will allow the person or pet posing for your photograph to stand out. Look for the shine of light on your subject’s hair, or for the shadows created when they move around. You can encourage subjects of your black and white portraits to strike a pose, or opt for stillness.
• Look for landscapes. Landscape photography benefits from monochrome due to the natural dimension of its subjects. Rather than sunrises or sunsets, which rely on color gradients, seek out geometric lines, interesting constructions or shapes found either in nature or street photography. A solitary tree in a field with direct light from above, a rocky shoreline beneath a moonlit sky, or a severely angular building all serve as impressive landscapes when shot in high quality black and white.

While learning to differentiate between what makes a good black and white image and what works better in color takes some time, once you get the hang of it, a world of technicolor and silvertone will open up, ready to be photographed in entirely new and unique ways.

As with all photography, black and white images benefit from post-processing, especially if you’re shooting in RAW. Here are some tips for editing black and white photographs outside the darkroom.

• Both Mac and Windows offer popular photo editing software by Adobe. Use Lightroom or Photoshop to accentuate shadows or highlights, or try a tinted monochrome image, replicating the feelings of old film photographs by pumping up the shadows in one layer and the highlights in another.
• Editing tools like dodge, burn, and curves allow for the amplification of mood in a variety of ways; try experimenting with the levels to highlight brightness or darkness. Since the image was shot originally in black and white, you have a solid baseline for getting creative with editing, with the option to revert to a more natural look at any point.

Whether you’re just starting out or have dreams of going professional, photography requires plenty of practice and a healthy dose of creativity. No one knows this better than legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz, who has spent decades mastering her craft. In Annie Leibovitz’s MasterClass on photography, she reveals tips on working with subjects, crafting concepts, and shooting with natural light.

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