Black and white photography has been with us for a long time! It remains an almost magical and timeless medium. Even in this full-colour modern world, its popularity is undiminished, with those new to it being captivated by its simplicity and power. The Black & White Photography Guidebook was created with the simple aim of introducing you to the world of black and white photography, and as a result, we hope you will enjoy new levels of artistic scope.
Black & White Photography CREATIVE MANUAL
WELCOME
BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY
The origins of photography • A SMALL HISTORY LESSON ABOUT HOW THE BLACK AND WHITE MEDIUM WAS CONCEIVED
The development of photography • A BRIEF GUIDE TO HOW PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMED OVER THE AGES
Introduction to black and white photography • YOUR JOURNEY INTO BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY BEGINS HERE
Black and white core concepts • BEGIN TO TRAIN YOURSELF TO ‘SEE’ IN BLACK AND WHITE
GETTING STARTED IN BLACK AND WHITE
Understanding black and white photography • WE OUTLINE THE ESSENTIALS FOR SUCCESSFUL BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY
Seeing in black and white • HERE’S A QUICK AND SIMPLE METHOD TO GET YOUR EYE USED TO ‘SEEING’ BLACK AND WHITE
Top black and white photography tips • ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR BETTER BLACK AND WHITE IMAGES
MONO LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
Landscape photography tips • USEFUL TIPS TO TRANSFORM YOUR LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
Portrait photography tips • SOME GREAT TIPS TO HELP YOU PRODUCE STUNNING PORTRAITS
Using flash, studio lights and modifiers • LIGHTING GUIDANCE FOR YOUR BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY
Types of light modifiers
Lighting techniques and diagrams • SHEDDING SOME LIGHT ON SETTING UP LIGHTING FOR PORTRAITS
High-key portraiture • WE GIVE YOU THE LOW-DOWN ON HIGH-KEY LIGHTING FOR PORTRAITS
High-key portraiture • THE GREAT DEBATE; WHAT IS A HIGH-KEY IMAGE?
Low-key portraiture • WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE WITH LOW-KEY LIGHTING FOR PORTRAITS
Low-key portraiture • SOME KEY INSIGHTS ON SHOOTING LOW-KEY PORTRAITS
ABSTRACT BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY • AN INTRODUCTION TO THE TECHNIQUES OF ABSTRACT ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Introduction to abstract photography • WHAT EXACTLY IS ABSTRACT PHOTOGRAPHY? IT DEPENDS WHO YOU ASK
Abstract photography
YOUR ESSENTIAL GEAR GUIDE • CHOOSING WHAT GEAR IS BEST FOR YOU MAY BE DAUNTING BUT WE CAN HELP
Cameras and lenses for landscapes • AN OVERVIEW OF SOME CAMERA SYSTEMS AND LENS TYPES
Cameras and lenses for portraits • AN OVERVIEW OF SOME PREFERRED CAMERA SYSTEMS AND LENS TYPES
Keep things stable with a good tripod • ONE OF THOSE ESSENTIAL ADDITIONS TO YOUR GEAR LIST
Filter types and systems • ONE OF THOSE ESSENTIAL ADDITIONS TO YOUR GEAR LIST
The Cokin creative filter system • A COMPLETE FILTER SYSTEM FOR THE CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHER
Using filters for black and white • SEE THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT COLOURED FILTERS
PRINTING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS • PRINTING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS IS STILL THE BEST WAY TO SHARE THEM
Inkjet and dye-sub printers • A GUIDE TO THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF HOME PHOTO PRINTER
Printing paper • WHICH ONE IS BEST FOR YOUR PHOTO PRINTING NEEDS?
Developing and printing black and white film • WITH ACCESS TO A DARKROOM AND THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT, IT’S FUN AND EASY TO DEVELOP FILMS AND PRINT YOUR OWN BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS
Darkroom equipment
Developing black and white film • Processing your own black and white films is easy and fun, as long as you’re not afraid of the dark! It pays to practise these steps in daylight with an old film before...