I was shooting with Jamie Jansen this weekend. He's always fun to spend the day with, and it was great to be with Melissa and Troy, too. They had a beautiful day!
You can photograph beautiful black & white images. They are simple to create on your own. Plus, good use of available light makes images look better; making the art of photography a lot of fun.
For this project you’ll need:
What makes a black and white image so stunning? Numerous factors, but here are three: 1.) Multiple shades of grey add depth. Since a picture is two-dimensional an image comes to life with an increased amount of depth making it more three-dimensional. 2.) Color photographs can have too much information. Sometimes color adds to the image, sometimes it detracts. A black and white photo can draw attention to more of what’s important in the image, creating additional impact. 3.) There’s just something gorgeous about black & white.
Assuming you’re using a digital camera, go into the menu and change the picture control to ‘black & white.’ Your camera may call it ‘monochrome.’
Next, turn off the flash. On camera flashes tends to flatten out the image. Remember, you want depth, and since you’re not planning on working with off-camera flashes, just turn it off, and use available light.
What do I mean by available light? Just that, whatever light is available on hand. There are many sources, such as lamps with or without the lampshade, flash lights held at a position other than straight at the subject, outdoor light, etc.
One of my favorites is a window with natural daylight shining through. Windows on the North side of the house are often best because the sun is never coming directly from that position. This will allow for a soft, rather than harsh, light. If needed, close the white sheer curtains to cut back on the light’s intensity.
Move your subject just behind the edge of the window frame. Right in front of the window could be too harsh, resulting in a flat image. But, just behind will allow the light to softly wrap-around your subject’s face. Take a look at the diagram to see how I made this image of Tyler. Make note of where the subject is placed in relation to the window and camera.
Can you see the shades of grey in my sample image? Notice the light-dark-light-dark relationship as you move across the image. Also, can you see how the light falls off the left side of the image? There was nothing over there in that part of the hallway, allowing the light to naturally fall off into darkness. The lit background came from a door, behind Tyler, at the end of the hallway. These factors add to the multiple shades of grey, and create a more three-dimensional look. Had I used an on-camera flash, like is found on most point-and-shoot cameras, the image would have lost all of its depth.
Last of all, since most consumer brand cameras take a long time to recycle the flash, turning it off will make it easier to shoot more without having to wait as long. This keeps the flow of energy and excitement going between you and your subject.
Taking photographs is much more fun when you keep it simple, and just go shoot.
Check out this video on how fast technology continues to grow and change at a very rapid rate.
Sarah and I have shot a number of lifestyle portrait sessions this fall.
I enjoy these sessions more than just about any other. When people are free to be themselves you get the best images.
I'll be posting more people over the next week.
These images are from yesterday's campaign rally that I covered in Akron.
Afterwards, the candidates and family shook hands and signed autographs, but the one who signed the most was the little Palin girl, named Piper, who had to be whisked away after everyone else had left the stage. You can see her in the last image.
