Black and White Photos: Tips I Wish I'd Known...

...when I started my journey into monochrome photography. Here are some tips I'd love to share with you today. Please be aware, this is intended not for professionals. 

Low ISO

Low ISO is particularly important when it comes to black and white photography where noise created by ISO can be obvious. Reduce your ISO. A lower ISO means your sensor is less sensitive to light, but is also less likely to create noise.
LEFT A noisy image of tomatoes.                              RIGHT Same image with reduced level of noise.

Tonal Varieties/Contrast

Tonal Varieties/Contrast are vital elements that can give interest to your black and white photos. These elements can lead the viewer's eye into your image. Because you can't use colour the contrast and tonal varieties become the more important.

Symmetrical Patterns

Symmetrical patterns are interesting in black and white photography.

Lighting

A good lighting, side lighting or light from any one direction can create more impact in a black and white photograph.

Lines


Plymouth Barbican,UK.

Lines look good in black and white images and help direct the eye by adding a new dimension to a photograph.   

I'm a big fan of colour photography, but I do enjoy immensely black and white pictures. Often I find black and white can save an otherwise "lost" image in colour, too. ;)

Oh well, black and white photography is fun!

My dears, Hope you have an awesome  weekend! xx

75 comments:

chica said...

Muito lindas e essas das folha ao chão, ficaram geniais! beijos,chica

eileeninmd said...

Great tips, Betty! Your B&W images all beautiful! I can not pick a favorite because they are all favorites. Wishing you a happy weekend!

MadSnapper said...

thanks for the tips, i knew none of these.. i rarely do black and white but will give it another try since this might make me like them better. the iso makes sense.

Kelly said...

Color has its place, but I do love to see B&W photos. These are wonderful!

Hope you have a lovely weekend, Betty.

Mandy said...

Happy Friday Betty and thank you so much for these great tips. I didn't know about the low ISO but now that you mention it, it makes a lot of sense.

Felicity Grace Terry said...

Thanks for some great tips.

Loving these photos but then I think there is something about images captured in black and white

and think it quite sad that more and more people seem to be taking pictures using their mobile phones.

Craver Vii said...

Black & White adds a dramatic dimension, and I need to explore this more. It is helpful to know that it is especially important here to keep the ISO as low as possible.

Unknown said...

Beautiful pictures! I just got a new camera and am playing around to figure it out. I have to learn about ISO and noise and all that stuff. :)

Our Neck of the Woods said...

Thank you for all the tips! I have been meaning to shoot more in black and white since I only do color. But I love black and white photos!

ΑΘΗΝΑ said...

I didn't knew these tips!Thanks for the information.Have a nice weekend!

Cloudia said...

Great lesson, Betty



Aloha

TexWisGirl said...

so many lovelies in this bunch! the roses spilling down was an excellent example of tonal qualities. thanks for the lessons!

Lynn said...

Wonderful! You have mastered the black and white!

Marty said...

B&W is always so beautiful ! it's nice to share your tips
have a happy weekend

Chatty Crone said...

I have never done a black and white but I might give it a whirl. sandie

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Hi Betty Very helpful tips. I am trying some b&w shots, some work 9I think) some don't. Loved all of your shots Many thaks. Margaret

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

It's amazing how vibrant a skilled photographer like you can make black and white pictures. These really draw me in. Excellent photos, Betty.

xoRobyn

Bob Bushell said...

Wow, the importance of images is really brilliant, you are superb, cheers Betty.

Mari-Pi-R said...

Entiendo poco de fotografía con lo cual me quedo apretando el botón y buscando un buen encuadre, pero hay que decir que tus imágenes son muy creativas y buenas.
Un abrazo

HansHB said...

Awesome photos!
Please invite me, I do want to taste!

It's me said...

Wowww love your pictures !!!....happy weekend...love Ria..x !

Anonymous said...

Always love black and white, thanks for sharing!

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Ms. A said...

I love black and white and need to try your tips, yours certainly came out lovely. That church is awesome!

Anonymous said...

Very nice!

Leovi said...

A beautiful muted tones and exquisite light, impressive! Great photos!

ritsa said...
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George said...

Thanks for these excellent tips. Your photos show that you have learned these lessons well.

:.tossan® said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
:.tossan® said...

Gives you a real lesson. Congratulations on the quality
the black & white photos that I really like. hug

Visit Black & White
http://tossanphotos.blogspot.com.br/

Unknown said...

...ciao cara Betty, io non sono per niente un bravo fotografo, ma amo molto guardare le belle fotografie, come le tue in bianco e nero...buon week end e abbraccio...

Carver said...

Great tips and I like the photographs.

Pat Tillett said...

Very nice photos Betty! I love B&W.
Thanks for posting the link to my blog in this post!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Betty, I don't do much in B&W ---but you are really really good at it. I don't always like B&W photos --but I DO like yours. They are terrific.

Hugs,
Betsy

Liz Mays said...

You really know your stuff!

Riot Kitty said...

Those are incredible! I've never heard "noisy" in reference to tomatoes. :)

ANRAFERA said...

Hello Betty, I like very much this excellent series of photographies in black and white; they are very good. I like the accused that you have applied to him.
I wish you happy weekend.
An embrace. Ramon

Anonymous said...

Wow -- these pictures are a work of art!

Fernando Santos (Chana) said...

Olá Betty; excelentes fotografias a preto e branco....
Cumprimentos

Red Nomad OZ said...

My photos are SO reliant on colour as the main attraction that I've always been a bit scared of the emphasis on the subject that is necessary to B&W!

But, you've shown us all how it's done!! Have a great weekend!!

Alice said...

Lots of beautiful photos! I like the one with all the trees.

rainfield61 said...

But just cannot imagine if the world comes in just black and white.

Pat said...

These photos are stunning. I need to shoot more in b/w!

sky-blu-pink said...

Such gorgeous photos! When I was a student, way back in the 1980s I used to only use black and white because I loved the grainy effect you can get. Since going mostly digital, I haven't experimented, although my husband has, with great results.i must try . . . .

BlueShell said...

wow, magnificent photos. Thanks for your advise.
I had to quit blogger: now I'm here:
blueshell.azurara.net

Marie said...

These are all wonderful!
Happy weekend to you!

Magia da Inês said...

¸.•°✿✿⊱彡

Amei!

✿º° Bom domingo!
º°♪ Boa semana!
Beijinhos .♫º

Tamara Camera said...

Wonderful tips! I find it to be challenging for sure. I remember the days of film (not even that long ago for me) that I'd just shoot it with b&w film and not even know what I'd get. Now with Photoshop, I generally do conversions. And not always well! I can't grasp what is true black and white and what is a bit yellow or a bit blue or too gray. sigh. One day.

California Girl said...

These are terrific! I'm not a professional, barely even a snap shot photographer. I'm sending this post link to my fine art photog hubby and his mentor, another fine art fotog, both of whom prefer B/W.

DIMI said...

Dear Betty,thank you for your tips!!I realy did'nt knew some of these!!!!I'm still learning with photography!!The iso is nery importing as i see!!!Hope you have a lovely week!!!Φιλάκια!!!!!Νά περνάς καλά!!!


Anonymous said...

Fantastic photos, and very interesting!

Theresa Mahoney said...

Lovely photos! I am no photographer, but I do appreciate looking at great photography from others!

Trac~ said...

Hey friend. Just stopping by to say hello. Miss you!!

Ramakant Pradhan said...

Some fantastic black and white work. Thanks for sharing the tips as well. I have started a bit on monochrome work but still need to improve a lot and your tips will be very helpful.

yonca said...

Great tips and wonderful B&w shots!
Will keep in mind.Thanks! Hugs!

Dragonstar said...

Fine, educational post, and excellent photos.

Lisa Gordon said...

Wonderful tips, and these photos are magnificent, Betty!

Wishing you a fantastic day!

Hootin Anni said...

Of course, the tips and ideas you've shared are immensely appreciated...I must say I appreciated and ENJOYED all your monochrome images. They're striking, they're soft and serene, they're beautiful, they're extraordinary!!!

Debbie said...

what a great entry, filled with so many wonderful tips!!

and some beautiful images!!

i have never photographed in b&w!!

Diane AZ said...

So beautiful and creative, I enjoyed them all! :)

Lowell said...

Greetings, Betty. Thank you for stopping by Ocala (Florida) Photos and for you kind comments!

I've been engaged in photography for many years and not so long ago developed all my own film and did all my own printing. Then digital came along. I said it was no good and wouldn't last. First time I've ever been wrong! Just kidding!

But I used to do a lot of b&w. Then, I realized I was missing color in my life so switched to doing mostly color. :)

Seriously, b&w can be beautiful. I still do some of it occasionally...it's a lot easier these days than it was in the darkroom!

Best wishes to you!

Donna said...

Hi Betty...Thanks for the sweet comment om my daughter and granddaughter's photos...They Loved Cozumel!
Love your photos! Gorgeous!
hughugs

imac said...

A great Blog to help photographers - most interesting shots - very captivating

Ann said...

I love these photos and the tips. I've never taken many black and white photos but after reading this I want to go out and try some

Anvilcloud said...

I read the rules/guidelines, nod my head, and promptly forget them. Senility is no fun. ;)

DeniseinVA said...

A magnificent series of black and white photos Betty, and I enjoyed reading the tips. Thank you so much!

Wishing you a great day,
Denise
An English Girl Rambles

Cezar and Léia said...

I love b&w and these images are adorable!Well done!
Léia

ritsa said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Georgia said...

Awesome post and pics!
Thanks!:-)

ricardo alves / são paulo,brasil said...

very very cool!

Laura said...

Very beautiful monochrome!

LONDONLULU said...

These b&w images are magical! I love the tips and as a very amateur beginner, I appreciate them!

Unknown said...

Wonderful reminders; thank you!

Anonymous said...

This site was... how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped me.
Cheers!

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Georgia said...

What a spectacular Betty!!
:D

Rainheart said...

This is beautiful, informative and helpful! Some truly breathtaking and inspiring images in your post.