He is involved with portrait photography and would like to shoot in black and white. In order to take your photos to the next level, there are a number of things you need to know about black and white portrait photography. After reading the tips in this article, you will know how to make an eye-catching black and white photo with the perfect contrast.
Tip 1: first color photo
Most cameras have a monochrome support for taking black and white photos. An important tip: do not use this mode. Your camera opts for a standard black and white conversion in this mode. This does not always give the optimal result. If you photograph in color, then you will adjust the black and white proportions as desired in an editing program. This gives you much more control over the final result of your black and white photo.
Tip 2: RAW photography
To determine the black-and-white ratio yourself later, it is important that you shoot in RAW. In general, RAW is smarter than the standard JPEG format. RAW files store much more information about the photo. In this way, the light is returned to the underexposed parts in an editing program. In addition, it restores the color of your image in RAW if, however, you have shot in monochrome mode. In this way, you enhance the contrast in black and white in a more natural way.
Tip 3: look for stark contrasts
A black and white portrait revolves around the contrast between black and white. To achieve a good result, you need to ensure that there is sufficient contrast within the frame in which you photograph. For example, use a dark background on a person with blonde hair and fair skin to enhance the contrast between light and dark. You work with a light background. Then make sure the model is dressed in the dark.
Tip 4: use the correct exposure
The face is the part that you want to emphasize and illuminate well in a black and white portrait photo. What makes black and white photos more interesting is the shadow play. Put a shadow on one side of the face and highlight only the other side. If you take photos indoors, use natural light through the window. With this soft light, you create a special atmosphere in your photo. This effect can also be achieved with well-adjusted studio lighting. If you are outdoors, use sunlight.
Tip 5: don’t wait for a sunny day
One of the great advantages of black and white photography is that you don’t necessarily need a sunny day to take a good portrait. Rainy days can also be very suitable. The light these days is dim, giving your black and white photo a soft look. In this way, the structures stand out even better on one side. Do you still find the photos too dark? Then adjust the exposure and contrast in post-processing.