Developing a Unique Vision: Why Beginner Photographers Should Embrace Black and White Photography?
In photography, colourful and beautiful images tend to attract a larger audience and can often generate more followers and likes when you post them on social media. This is because vibrant colours catch people’s attention and create an immediate visual impact. As a result, many beginner photographers focus on capturing colourful images initially to gain confidence and draw viewers’ attention. However, It’s important to note that taking black-and-white photos is a valuable practice for beginners. Here are several reasons to consider:
Taking Black and White Photos Allows Photographers to Capture Images from a Different Photography Standpoint
Black and white photography can offer a distinct perspective that allows photographers to see the world and subjects around them through a photography lens. This photography perspective can allow photographers to focus on composition, lighting, textures, and form, enabling a deeper exploration of the visual elements within a scene. Colourful images may allow photographers to see and view subjects from a more functional standpoint. If you want to learn more about street black and white photography, please read our black and white street photography.
For example, here is a picture of a banana. if we view the image of a banana from a functional standpoint, we may think that this is a yellow banana and interpret it as a ripe and appealing fruit. If we view this banana from a photography lens, we should interpret it as a long, curved banana.
One of the fascinating aspects of black-and-white images is to transcend the literal representation of the captured subjects in the real world. By eliminating colour and functionality, black-and-white photography focuses on shapes, composition, and perspective skills to form an excellent surreal world. Many famous photographers focus more on black and white photography (such as Ansel Easton Adams, Herbert List and Sebastião Salgado ), and you can view their works and get some inspiration from them.
Note: Many beginner photographers must discover and understand various visual elements(planes, shapes, lines and points).
Easy to Post-Process Images
Compared to working with colourful images, post-processing black-and-white images can be a relatively more straightforward task for beginner photographers using software like Lightroom or other image editing applications. This is especially true for photographers who may not profoundly understand colour theory and colour schemes.
However, we also need to know that taking black-and-white photos is challenging because it requires a strong understanding of photo compositions, storytelling and content to gain the viewer’s attention.
Pro Tips: If you have dull and unengaging images that you want to make stand out on your social media, try converting them into black-and-white photos for a striking effect. Another option is using the camera or phone flash to capture standout black-and-white images.
Many beginner photographers mistakenly believe black-and-white photographs are boring and not worth viewing simply because they lack color. However, this is a misconception. Black and white photography encompasses many tones, including black, white, and shades of gray. The skilful control and manipulation of these gray tones are highly regarded in photography.
To help people understand how to appreciate black and white photography, let’s delve into the analysis of a renowned photograph captured by Edward Weston using Visual Thinking Strategies.
2. Her smooth and radiant skin exudes an exquisite beauty that captivates viewers, evoking the resonance of beauty;
3. This image gives viewers a dynamic rhythm and a profound sense of depth. Let’s closely examine the various elements within the image:
a. At the image’s centre is a prominent triangular black shadow.
b. Surrounding the triangular shadow are two women’s light gray legs.
c. Extending beyond the legs, there are two gray arms.
d. Between the legs and arms, there are intersecting black lines.
e. Additionally, we observe shadows, with the right side shadow originating from the arms, while the wall casts the left shadow. These shadows appear in contrasting black hues.
Collectively, these elements create a visual composition that engages viewers with a distinct rhythm. The alternating sequence of black, white, black, and white presents itself like a resonant song, offering an intriguing visual experience.
f. When examining the background of this image, we observe distinct variations in grayscale tones. The top right portion of the image is a pure black shade, creating a stark contrast. In contrast, the bottom part features a gray carpet, while the left side exhibits a different shade of gray. These differing levels of gray contribute to the overall perception of depth within the image.
If you are interested in this image, I encourage you to study it and delve deeper into the work of the photographer Edward Weston. By exploring his body of work, you can gain insights into his artistic style, techniques, and the themes he digs through his photography.
Conclusion
If you are starting your journey in photography, exploring black-and-white photography can be a valuable and rewarding experience. Here are a few advantages and tips to consider:
- Developing visual elements
- Post-processing simplicity
- Creating a surreal world
Remember, photography is a continuous learning process, so embrace experimentation, seek feedback, and enjoy the creative journey as you develop your skills in black-and-white photography.
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