Page 168 - (DK) Advanced Photography Guide

166 EXPLAINING | BLACK-AND-WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

BLACK-AND-WHITE

PHOTOGRAPHY

Although color photography was invented in A black-and-white photo is composed of a
the late 19th century, it did not replace black- monochromatic range of tones. You can either
and-white as the medium of choice until take photos in black and white or make your
relatively late in the 20th century. Black-and- photos monochrome in postproduction.
white photography is not obsolete, however: If you want to enhance your black-and-white
it has a timeless quality that appeals to photos even further, you can apply tints and
amateur and professional photographers alike. techniques such as split-toning.

Choose your subjects carefully

Not all color photos or subjects are good whether it is contrast in brightness or contrast in
candidates for conversion to black and white. Any color. If the various colors in a photo are distinct
subject that relies on color for impact, particularly and can be separated tonally using filtration or in
when the various colors in the photo are similar, postproduction, then it will be easier to convert
is generally not ideal. What does work is contrast, a photo into black and white after you have shot it.

SUITABLE

◾ ◾ Good tonal and color range ◾ ◾ Red filtration darkens sky
◾ ◾ Contrast quite high, bright clouds and dark shadows ◾ ◾ Strong highlights and shadows

UNSUITABLE

◾ ◾ Low contrast photo with limited range of colors ◾ ◾ Flat, little visual interest
◾ ◾ Delicate pink of flower an important feature of subject ◾ ◾ Lack of definition, flower dissolves into background

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