How to Take Black and White Photography

Although modern cameras capture images in vivid color with true-to-life hues, there's something about a black and white image that stirs the emotions. Capturing a photo in black and white is an artistic form of expression. For that reason, some of the best-known photographs are without color.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Switch your digital camera mode to black and white to capture images without color. Most digital cameras offer this mode and it's a quick way to get the shot.

2. Shoot in color and de-saturate your image in a graphics program later. This is popular with many photographers since they can adjust the tones within the image to suit their tastes.

3. Take the photo in a RAW (uncompressed) format to allow for the greatest degree of digital manipulation. High-end professional cameras and some prosumer digital cameras offer this option and you can alter the image before compressing. However, RAW images take a lot of memory so you won't be able to take as many shots.

4. Try different filters to add contrast and bring out details in your images. Just because the image is black and white doesn't mean colors won't affect it. Choose yellow, orange or red filters to increase contrast or apply the filters later in your graphics program for the same effect.

5. Choose a high resolution when taking digital black and white digital photographs. If you intend to enlarge and print the image, you'll need to use a high resolution in order to maintain sharpness.

6. Learn to imagine your desired image in black and white before you shoot. Not all photographs benefit from desaturation. Scenes that depend upon color for effect lose their meaning when shot in black and white.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're unsure whether color or black and white would be the most beneficial, shoot both and choose the best later. This is only feasible with a digital camera so if you're using film, shoot in color and convert it to black and white later.