If there is one type of photography that deserves a specially maintained composition it is undoubtedly black and white photography. Very easy, because color is one more element of composition with much more strength and visual impact than we usually think. By removing the color images, we lose a lot of compositional strength, which we must gain by other means. You like black and white, don’t you?Well, let’s see, in a simple way, what are these shapes that will make our black-and-white compositions a real marvel?
We have already commented once on how important it is to learn to see images in black and white, now it is a work that requires a lot of practice, because it is not easy for us to do the necessary abstraction to do so when we are used to seeing the world in color, however, with a little practice and some of the following tips, you will see how little by little you anticipate the images , to that texture, to those lines, to those suggestive shadows. In most cases, if the image works perfectly in color, it is difficult for it to do so in black and white because, surely, much of its composition is based precisely on color.
- That said.
- Let’s see what tips or tricks you can apply to learn how to better compose your black and white photos.
When you delete color images, all other items become more relevant; light, texture, shape and composition become more important, if possible, than in color photography.
Lines are one of the formal elements that can best be used to compose in black and white, the lines have the ability to guide the viewer’s gaze towards the center of interest of the image, they are like arrows that indicate the way forward. an image, with their respective stops, their addresses, etc.
Each type of line gives us a feeling: the horizontal ones are associated with calm and peace, the diagonals are vital and fast, even aggressive, the curves are sinuous and elegant, vertical that we associate with strength, rigidity and height.
Everything that emphasizes form is, in principle, a good candidate for black-and-white photography. Repeating patterns in monochrome compositions, being very visual, formal and dynamic, is a good way to add interest to your compositions. To escape monotony, remember that you can break the rhythm with an element. In the case of the following example a rhythmic composition was used with the horizontal lines of the zebra pass, but the shadow of two walkers was used to break this monotony, thus creating a more interesting image.
Another aspect to keep in mind when composing in black and white is that it likes compositions with few elements, which are not the same as simple, that is, the compositions have to be worked on, we have already commented without more than in color. images, but work very well with more formal and less messy images.
I do not know if you have noticed but, so far, all the images that accompany this article have a human element in the composition, or at least a trace of it, imagine them without this element, you will see as everyone lose strength and interest, no matter how much compositions, light, etc. can be done well. Indeed, the human element arouses a natural interest in us and, therefore, makes the images that contain it more attractive to us.
Experimenting with light is essential to begin to know it in depth, both in color and in black and white, black and white, due to its symbolism and formalism, allows exposure and light to be taken to extremes that color tolerates worse. It does not mean that you can burn the image or underexpose it too much, because it is in the end that the information is lost and that means that the camera will do its best to complete it, sadly, with a rather mediocre result. to your camera’s histogram at all times to read within these limits, unless you are looking for a specific effect on your image.
If you don’t know where to start, here are some suggestions that work great in monochrome:
Another interesting element to play composing in black and white is with the textures of the elements that appear in the scene, textures are another way to add interest to the image, invite us to think about touch and thus add a new dimension to the image As the color disappears, become more relevant and very photogenic.
You can use wood, rust, stones, wool, anything that contains relief can help you increase the interest of your composition in black and white.
As with the most extreme lights, contrast (the difference between lights and shadows) is a good ally to experiment with black-and-white photography. The greater the difference between lights and shadows, the fewer shades of gray there will be in the scene and the faster the transition from white to black. This is what we call high contrast scenes (with intense light and shadow).
The black and white shadow game can create very suggestive compositions, we have already seen that if they are human they add the interest of a human element in the composition, if they form lines, as in the first image of this article, you can also create very interesting visual games, rhythm, directionality, leaks?
Black and white is a great friend of the suggestive, the dreamlike, the symbolic, so anything that suggests one of these feelings will be a candidate to be the protagonist of your monochrome image. Fog represents that dream and mystery that often accompanies the monochrome. photographs, so they work very well together.
Putting a good frame to a good composition will always give you good results. Some will say it’s a popular resource, but the truth is, it works. Natural framing describes the scene and allows you to easily highlight the focus.
No matter if it’s a shadow, your nephew, a shoe, a stone or a landscape, an image (whether in color or black and white) should have a focus, a justification, a message, a reason why we should stop. and look at it. Without interest, our gaze will be lost in the framing without catching our attention, which means that unfortunately the image will hardly be worth it.
As the English say, fill the frame, fill the frame, come closer, don’t be afraid to move and experiment.
The rule of thirds says that there are points in the image where the gaze is directed naturally, that is where it recommends putting our focus on how to show it, these assets come from dividing the image both vertically and horizontally into three equals. parts by imaginary lines Where these lines intersect is where the strong point of the image resides
You don’t always have to use this rule, much less, but it’s true that there are compositions that sometimes claim it and can it be very useful on many occasions?
Reflections in storefronts, water, lakes, mirrors, etc. bring a new formal dimension to your image. Can you play with symmetry, break it, suggest it without it being seen?It doesn’t matter what you think.
Practice, practice and practice, one thing at a time, don’t expect the photographs to reach you, won’t they, they will look for them, they will look for lines, shadows, textures, patterns, imagine them in black and white, try again and again?and then forget everything. Black and white springs from the stomach, from the soul, it’s pure feeling, so once you master a composition, put aside your technical head and unleash your creativity, which is a lot, do you believe it or not?
I hope you liked this article, but above all I hope it inspires you to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of black and white photography, if you want to share it with someone else, do it without fear, will we all be grateful?Thank you so much for reading it and until next time?