The Power of Black and White Photography It’s interesting how sometimes older technologies or art forms take on an even greater value when they are made obsolete by the new and modern. This is certainly true of black and white photography. When color photography came on the scene, it seemed the days of black and white in both video and photography were over forever. But that was certainly not the case. Over the years we have seen black and white take on a new artistic value in both genres. In fact, it is not at all unusual any more to see a very modern movie filmed entirely in black and white. It is also common to visit a fine art museum and find a photographic art display that uses black and white extensively. Black and white has some artistic and emotional qualities that are just not possible to achieve in color photography.

Probably the strongest quality that grabs the viewer with a black and white photo is its emotional power. Even if the photo is just of an old barn or an antique car, there is an emotional appeal that is difficult to analyze in words but universal to all of us as we look at a black and white shot. That is why black and white photos almost instantly take on an artistic look. So if you are evolving your artistic photography style and portfolio, including some experimentation with black and white will do a lot to improve your work.

Black and white also focuses the eye on the emotional center of the piece. Probably the best subject for black and white photography is the human face. In even a tranquil expression, the viewer can see such a vast range of expression in the eyes, the tilt of the head, the subtle wrinkles or peculiarities of the face and the focus of the gaze. Black and white almost always invites the viewer to want to know about the story behind the picture. If it’s a landscape, “What happened here?” is the question that often springs to the mind of the viewer and the longer they gaze at the photo, the more their imagination fills in the details. If you are viewing the face of a serene or melancholy girl, it is almost impossible not to wonder what she is dreaming about or what of life’s issues is weighing on her mind.

Along with the emotional power and the way black and white compels the viewer to search for meaning, black and white carries with it a tremendous romantic power that touches the heart in a powerful way. That romance can easily translate over to the sensual or even the erotic without having to become pornographic to achieve that effect. Shots that are trying to evoke the power of sensuality and romance do well when they involve moisture or a water scene such as the beach. Despite the lack of color, these colors appeal to the five senses in ways that color can never hope to achieve.

You can experiment with black and white and gather the responses of friends and family to learn how to utilize the subtle but powerful artistic nuances that seem to come with black and white photography almost unconsciously. The digital camera has ushered in a whole new era of black and white photography. You see the form used even in otherwise non artistic settings like wedding portfolios or anniversary pictures. That is because of that emotional and romantic power that black and white conveys. If you have not started to experiment with black and white shots, it’s worth the time to learn how to capture the powerful images this type of photography can make possible. Along with the creative use of light and framing, black and white gives itself well to editing that you can do with Photoshop to bring out the emotional center of each shot. Before long, you may actually find your self seeing black and white shots in a color world. Your awareness of what will make a great moment in this format will become acute and you will be ready to capture those moments spontaneously, which is always the best kind of photography.

Ansel Adams photographs are highly collectable and expensive. The photographer is a true artist who has managed to recreate the world thorough his unique vision. The interesting perspectives and forms that he choose helps you re-see the world around you. Many of the Ansel Adams photos are in black and white which may seem simple but there is quite a bit more to the work than you would think. Ansel Adams photographs manage to capture depth and texture that make two dimensions appear to be three dimensional. His brilliant use of texture and light has helped him to make the images leap from the page.

This is no easy task especially when it comes to black and white photography. However, if you choose the right perspective and the right lighting you can bring the form to life even after the film has been developed. The depth of Ansel Adams photographs is very difficult to replicate if not impossible.

There is something about the images that make them appear as if they are a slice of life captured forever. Ansel Adams photographs seem to have stopped the world for one brief moment in order to grasp the perfect image. There is a sense of motion within each piece and such texture and depth that you really don’t need color to appreciate the scene.

You would think that the Ansel Adams pictures would be very realistic since they manage to capture such fine detail and realistic depth. However, most of the images are surreal in appearance. They seem to almost leap out of a dream.

This surreal aspect of the images might be what makes them so intriguing as well as expensive. When I first saw Ansel Adams photographs I thought that they were a collection of paintings. The photo “From Glacier Point” is a particular image that comes to mind in my first experience with this photographer’s work.

From Glacier Point takes and interesting perspective in that the focal point of the image seems to be off-center. The viewer’s attention can go in many directions in this piece, either drawn to the large, dark tree in the foreground or the magnificent mountains and valleys set off in the background. Ansel Adams photographs are unique in that they take a different perspective than normal. For example, an average photographer would have put the mountain peak in the center of the photo. Ansel Adams sets the focal point off center. This approach is only part of what makes this artist outstanding.

Black and White Photography Digital cameras come with many features, and one is the ability to try black and white photography. This type of photograph has, in recent decades, become less popular. This is because many people decided they preferred color pictures, and the price for color is more affordable. Some cameras come with settings for black and white photography, and most photo editing software comes with the option to change color photographs into black and white. No matter which way you choose to achieve the look of black and white, you may find that you fall in love with the results. Black and white photography is somewhat of a lost art, and many are finding they like it more than color for portraits or close up photos. Black and white often adds an element of mystery to a photo that color cannot capture. Photos in black and white are especially popular for portraits and candid shots of young children. Black and white photography adds an intimate feel to a photo that you may not find in color. Black and white is also a great alternative for nature photos. A photo of a single flower or a tree can be stunning in black and white. For a unique photograph, you can then take that photo and add color to just one part of the photo using your photo software. You might try adding color to only the flower petals, or in the case of portraits, just the irises of someone’s eyes. A black and white photos are even more striking when they are framed and huge in groups on your wall. When your children are playing quietly with each other, snap five or six photos of them a few second apart. Take these photos and turn them into black and white. Then, buy a set of three or four matching frames and hang them on your wall in a cluster. Stand back and study the results.

While it is a matter of preference, it is easier than every to try black and white photography. If you own a digital camera, it won’t cost you anything to give it a go, and see if you like it. If you aren’t convinced you should give black and white photography a try, do some experimenting. Take some of your existing photos and turn them to black and white using photo editing software. Study the photos side by side and see how each picture makes you feel.

Cameras have made great strides in progress over the years. Today’s digital camera can capture the finest details and the most delicate ranges of colors. However, sometimes regular black and white photos are far more interesting than color prints especially when you consider the subject.

I love black and white photos of people. In my opinion, the best portraits are black and white photos. The contrast is sharper with this type of image and you can pick out more details in the face as well. You concentrate on the person’s features rather than the colors at work.

Too much color can make the onlooker lose focus. Sharp black and white photos provide focus and clarity that is often lost when there is a lot of color in the portrait. You may think that you want a color photograph to set off your ice-blue eyes but a black and white photo will work even better because of the sleek contrast.

Also, you can always opt to have some color remaining in the photographs. Many professional photographers create amazing images through adding a little color to black and white photos. This really targets the focus of the subject.

For example, one of the most striking wedding images is a black and white photo of a bride and groom. The bride is holding a bouquet of roses. The photographer adds a deep red hue to the flowers and leaves the rest of the photograph in its original state. This creates breathtaking contrast that will impress and inspire. So if you want to focus on your eyes, you could still have the classic, clean feel of black and white photos while still incorporating the light blue color of your eyes as well. The process works the same as in the wedding example. The focus of this image will be eyes instead of flowers. I enjoy the color-sparse images so much that I often take my digital images and create black and white photos out of them. There are endless options available in Photoshop. You can quickly learn how to navigate through the program to develop black and white photos that suit your subject as well as your tastes.

Some artists are inspired by the process as well. Creating drawings of people is often best started from black and white photos. The details tend to be sharper and the image is far easier to recreate, especially if the artist is using charcoal or pencil.

People generally love color but sometimes certain subjects call for black and white photos. With today’s digital camera and programs like Photoshop, you can experiment with color or the lack of color if you so choose.