On Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:18:39 -0700, CandleRudd wrote:
> Hi, Does anyone have any tips for me on black and whites? I would like
> to learn more about this, its all new to me. Thanks, Judy
>
> http://postphotos.shutterpoint.com
To begin with, I wouldn't buy a film camera to start learning b&w. (That
will come later.) I'd just use your digital camera(s) and set it to
monochrome. The hardest thing for people who have shot nothing but color
to learn with black and white is "seeing" in black and white. A good
color shot doesn't necessarily make a good b&w shot. To learn takes
trial and error, and looking at other photographers' b&w prints.
So, shoot lots of shots, experiment, and look at the results on your
camera's LCD screen. Save the ones that look like they have potential
and take them to the computer to see if you can make a "great" image. I
wouldn't bother to print these. This is more for developing your black
and white eye than anything else. Give yourself "subject" assignments to
fully do***ent a subject, for example, a trashcan. Shoot 30 or so
images, all of them different, of a particular trashcan. Close up. Far
away. With other trashcans, etc. Really try to make each image unique
and photographically appealing like you're going to have an exhibit.
While you're doing all this, go to the library and check out ALL the
books on black and white photography. And not just the "howto" ones.
Get the b&w photo art and monograph books, too. Read and study them.
Also, do magazine searches in old photo mags from the days when b&w was
king, and read the film reviews and tests, so you'll have a good
foundation to pick which films to try. Go to the film manufacturers' web
sites and get the specs on their b&w films. In 6 months or so, you'll be
ready to get that film camera and lens, set up a darkroom, and start
processing and printing. You might even discover that that film camera
has to be medium format, because 35mm just isn't right for you.
Stef
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