Tonal contrast is the difference in the brightness (light intensity) among the various elements in an image. Contrast is the difference between the light and dark areas in your image. Unlike color photography, black and white has traditionally been a “contrasty” medium. Where complementary and analogous colors bring the image to life in a color photo in a black and white photo, tonal contrast can take that image to the next level. Using the color sliders, and pushing the blue on the HSL panel Tonal contrast Some of these include lines, shapes, framing, and perspective. When color is absent, the other compositional elements of the image become more important. In this scenario, you still maintain your color RAW file for processing later on, but can “see” what you will be working with.Īs you work more with black and white imagery, you start to see differently. By choosing the setting on your camera for black and white (also called monochrome), the images on your camera’s LCD will appear black and white, so you can revise your composition while shooting. Your camera (DSLR or DSLM) most likely allows you the option of shooting both RAW and JPEG images simultaneously. Oftentimes you may find it difficult to pre-visualize your scene without color. Trees, water and aged skin also translate well. Some textures that work well in black and white images include dirt, stone, metals, and wood. Texture lends more realistic detail to your frame when it evokes a sense of touch. It gives your image added dimension by providing a variance in the tonal range. When you choose monochrome, texture is that element that takes your image to the next level. These include strong or interesting shadows and extremes between areas of brightness and shadow within your frame. The interrelation between the light and dark areas allows you to create and emphasize shapes, edges, and forms. Thus look out for high contrast scenes when capturing your image. Thinking with the end result of black and white in mind means thinking in contrasts. True black and white imagery have no coloring at all, thus is essentially black, white and gray. Monochrome means a single color, so may contain a tint (of one color).

Note: While the terms “black and white” and “monochrome” are used interchangeably they are not identical. If you see black and white/monochromatic photography as a creative choice though, here are a few tips to consider to achieve great black and white photos.īefore delving into some of the simpler ways to edit black and white images, three things to consider when capturing (and processing) are contrast, texture, and composition. Whether you shoot in color (and convert) or shoot monochromatic, black and white photography is an art form from capture to post-processing.

While every image has the potential to convert to black and white, it is no secret that some translate better.

Black and white images