Black and White Masterclass Page 2: contrast and in camera black and white

Create Contrast

Tonal contrast is important in all types of photography, but especially in black & white. Whether a low contrast image (see left) or a high one (right) the contrast level can have a profound effect on the mood and atmosphere.

A natural way to add contrast to your image is through choice of subject. Even if the lighting is dull, a well-chosen muse will offer a striking tonal contradiction. For instance, a black sheep among a white flock will naturally be a source of contrast.

The quality of the light and its direction are two other important factors that will influence the amount of contrast present in a scene. Out of doors direct sunlight creates hard shadows that offer plenty of opportunity to create images with strong contrast.

You can influence the direction of the light by moving your position and shooting at certain times. Low angled light, for example, helps define form and makes for interesting shadows, so try shooting in the morning or late afternoon.


Using In-Camera B&W

Undoubtedly the speediest way to produce a black & white image is to let your camera handle the conversion. Most DSLRs have a monochrome mode so it’s worth exploring this creative alternative.

You’ll need to use your camera’s menu system to access the processing parameters. Here, in addition to contrast and sharpness you can play around with coloured filters. Yellow or green can be good for skin tones, whereas red can cut through the haze in distant views. Many models also boast funky toning effects – try sepia for a vintage feel, while blue can add a cool tint to an architectural scene.

In-camera black & white, although the fastest method of conversion, offers the least flexibility. In particular, saving your image as a monochrome JPEG means that you won’t be able to access the separate RGB channels at a later stage should you wish to. Therefore, if this is the case it may be prudent to save two versions – one as a JPEG that you can use then and there, and one as a RAW image, which can be processed later on if needs be.