I hope you all enjoyed your first week of black and white shots. Mine seemed to go by too quickly!! But here we are- heading into week number 2 and reviewing Chapter 3.
EXPOSURE
Chapter 3 begins with a review of the “exposure triangle” that is the way ISO (how sensitive the sensor is to light and is determined by how much light is available), the aperture (the size of your lens opening), and the shutter speed (how quickly or slowly the shutter opens exposing light to your sensor which is relative to the ISO & aperture). There are some great charts and definitions to help you along here. Particularly helpful is the boxed-in definition of “digital noise”- that grainy quality a photo takes on when it is shot with a high ISO in low light conditions.
Batdorff recommends exposing images on the lighter side. He points out it is easier to darken a photo than to lighten it. How you expose a picture will be influenced by your artistic intent. You may want to over or under expose a picture to create a certain mood and that’s perfectly fine! Knowing how to play with the variables is a facet of photography that is fun to explore. The great thing about digital photography is that you can experiment to your heart’s content and never waste a dime. One click of the delete button and the experiments which failed are history!
More coaching on histograms follows this section. As some noted in our discussions last week there are times when the histogram can be useful and there are times when it is not. You do not HAVE to use it if you are more comfortable determining how you’ll work the shot by eye than with the histogram. But if it can help you decipher how the light is being recorded in your shot and you want to use it, then do.
Sometimes a photographer will use a color filter to enhance a black and white shot. Filters work by absorbing light and lightening colors similar to their own color while darkening other colors. Lighter color filters will have little effect on the overall picture. Darker color filters will have a more intense effect. You do not NEED to use a filter but reading through Batdorff’s examples will show you when they can be useful.
LANDSCAPES
Keep your eyes peeled for images with strong shadows, textures, and lines because these characteristics will matter when you convert your picture to black and white. Batdorff’s check list is comprised of 4 questions: Why am I drawn to this image? Are there lines, layers, shapes, and textures that pull me in to this shot? How am I going to frame this image? What is the best way to bring out those features that originally drew me to this scene? He then encourages us to not be afraid of bad weather. It can be used to the photographer’s advantage because it often produces some great lighting. Also, be prepared to get “dirty” as sometimes the best point of view will come from being on the ground!
The graduated neutral density filter is a handy accessory for black and white photography. It enhances a dull or hazy sky or darkens a bright one. It can even make those dark and cloudy skies more dramatic. A good tip follows on how to find the “sweet spot” of your lens. This will aid you in how you will set the aperture on the lens you use most for landscape shots. Many cameras offer you the ability to customize your landscape shots. If you’re interested in finding out more about this, check your camera manual to locate where you can find them in your camera and how to set them.
If you choose to concentrate on landscape shots this week, pay close attention to the tips for taking them. Take your time to work through why a particular landscape attracts you to stop and take a photograph of it. Work through the particulars of how you will translate what you see and why it draws you into your photograph. Ask yourself the same questions Batdorff asks as you compose the shot.
PORTRAITS
The beauty of black and white portraits is their ability to “see things for what they are”. Color can be distracting but black and white pulls out every nuance and detail of a person’s features. Head shots are what we usually think of when we hear the word “portrait”. But whether you’re shooting someone from the waste up or full figure, the eyes are the most compelling aspect of a portrait, so it should be the goal of every photographer who’s shooting a portrait to capture some sort of expression in your subject’s eyes that shapes the mood of the image. The lighting will also add to the mood of the shot. Choosing to include the environment can give the viewer a glimpse into the life of your subject. The question is does the environment add to the image or distract the viewer from seeing the subject.
In the section entitled “Portraits are About People” Batdorff covers the ins and outs of working with the person you’re going to shoot. This can be daunting to some, but for the photographer who enjoys portraits, it’s probably the best part of the shoot. Getting to know your subject can be a lot of fun. But more importantly, the photographer needs to build a level of trust between himself and the person being photographed. After all, we all want to look our best in the final product. If you’re serious about portraiture, pay close attention to Batdorff’s studio settings and tips for taking great portraits. They are all tried and true and will give you the results you’re looking for.
Post processing tips using the clarity slider in Adobe’s Light Room will bring even more detail out in your portraits. Most photo processing programs have something like this within their software. If you don’t have Light Room, you will have to poke around in your program to find it.
Working in a portrait studio is briefly explored, emphasizing how easy it can be done with a few simple items and correct lighting.
STORYTELLING
The power of an image is in its ability to communicate a story instantly. The beauty of black and white is its timeless quality. It naturally lends itself to storytelling. A photojournalist is a photographer who excels in capturing an image or images that recreate the story of an event or the subject. When you are telling a story with your picture remember to capture environmental data and people. But look carefully! Sometimes the story is not always the most obvious picture to take.
Street photography is “people watching with a camera” according to Batdorff. It’s a record of the human experience in everyday life. Both daytime and nighttime shots can cause us to stop, take a moment to record what we see, and then walk away with “a tangible memory”. The important thing here (in contrast to photojournalism) is to remain as inconspicuous as possible.
Travel photography brings out the unique characteristics of the places we visit and life there. Batdorff includes some useful tips for this as well. The “Terms to Remember” chart is a great resource!
ASSIGNMENTS FOR WEEK 2
Review Batdorff’s suggestions at the end of Chapter 3 and choose 1 or 2 of them to explore in the coming week (or do them all- it’s your choice!).
FEBRUARY 14th & THE FLASH OF RED!
Today is the day to have some fun with Selective Coloring! Batdorff covers this effect using Silver Efex Pro. He walks you through the process step by step on pages 115-166, 157-161 and 171. For those of you who do not have this program (and that would include me!), you’ll have to do some digging in your own program if you have a different one which you use. If you don’t have a processing program BUT are an ACE member here on 365, I have put together several tutorials on how this look can be achieved using Picmonkey. Here are the links:
QUALIFIER: YES, it’s called FLASH OF RED after that day! But you are not bound by law to make it a red heart or anything related to Valentines’ Day if you do not want to! In fact, you are not even bound to make your flash red, if you don’t want to. But it is the color that POPS out the most in a black and white month, imho. So shoot and select as you wish; just do it in the spirit of fun.
The response to Flash of Red February has been incredible this year! As of today there are 73 photographers participating in one way or another! I would love to say I visit each and every one of your shots and comment but I admit it's humanly impossible. So let me encourage you to help me out and be an encouragement to one another. Look over the @names and pick one or two each day- especially folks you're not following- and leave them a word of encouragement on one or two of their shots. That way we'll all know "someone out there cares". And thanks for lending me a hand!
As always, tag your shots flashofred2016 and feel free to post your favorite shot from week #1 below.
Now go out and shoot some awesome black and white shots!
Ann, thank you very much for all of this. Reading your post today has decided me to buy the Batdorff. (I was a bit hesitant as I don't have/use/want Photoshop, Lightroom etc because I have other progs but I can see there is a lot more in the book than I originally thought.)
My favourite from last week is my portrait of Martin from my 'Haze's strangers' project who revealed to me AFTER I had taken the shot, that he teaches photography - and then gave me some hints!
Thanks so much for being the champion of this theme. Im usually a colour person so to dedicate a whole month to B&W is a real challenge that I am thoroughky enjoying.This is my fav from last week.
@olivetreeann Once again, a fantastic summary! Thank you so much for all of your work on this theme. I really like your suggestion to pop in on some unfamiliar folks and support their work. I'll definitely do that. This is my favorite from this first week.
@olivetreeann Thank you for facilitating this great project! Am learning so much, having tons of fun, and immensely enjoying all the photos with the tag.
I'm learning a lot this month, and I appreciate the summaries - I bought the book but reading time has been very scarce. (Also? Why did I think it would be smart to buy the kindle version and read a photography book with grayscale photos? Yes, it's about black & white photography, but clearly there are color photos that I might have benefitted from... Should have ordered the real book!)
Thanks Ann for all your hard work. I did not get around to getting the book so instead I'm trying to use your summaries and then fill in with info I find on the internet about different topics. That being said, I don't know what the authors suggestions are at the end of the chapter so I'll work on landscapes, storytelling, portraits and exposure. And the histogram. I've always wanted to learn how to use it! And I will try to pop in on 2 fellow "flashers" every day! Here's my favorite from my project last week.
@quietpurplehaze Good for you Hazel! I don't use those programs either, so my summary of that chapter will be very brief. But I am quite sure that the principles he talks about will work on any program that you use. So we'll see!
Thank you Debs, Hazel, Julie, Deborah, Lin, Tracy, Janet, Cristina, Sarah, Diane, Hope, Sally, Wendy, Stephanie, and Zinnia for the beautiful photos, kind words and enthusiastic participation! You've made my day!
While there were two others in tight contention with Day 1's shot, it eventually beat them out. I love the details on this one and the repeated patterns between the lace and the lamp base.
@olivetreeann thankyou so much for all your hard work and the time you're putting into this. I'm finding it a challenge to do an entire month in black and white but I'm loving it. it's giving me a chance to try new things and create different images - great fun! I like your suggestion of looking at images of people we don't follow and I'll be doing that this week. Here's my favourite from my first week.
@sarahdphoto@skstein@barb_b
And thank you Sarah, Sandi and Barb for taking part in the challenge. I found it challenging the first time out too- but now I look forward to it!
@olivetreeann hi Ann, I wasn't listed as a participant and wondered if I was tagging incorrectly? not complaining by any means. just wanted to make sure I was doing it right. thanks!
@olivetreeann Thanks very much for all your work and suggestions with this project. Unfortunately the link for my project is @beachdog and you have it listed as @deachdog. Can you please change it for me? Many thanks. Barb
This was a favorite I'd been waiting for an opportunity to post since our Christmas parade, so when this challenge started, I played around with it a bit, converted it to B&W, and then used the little girl's bright red skirt for my flash of red.
Thank you so much Ann @olivetreeann for this great abstract. I bought the book and read the first chaptures, but as English isn't my fist language I really enjoy reading your summary and getting one or the other point a bit clearer. Thanks for your work.
I guess I'm also hoping to learn more about photography in general as well as b&w and, from your excellent summaries of chapters in the Batdorff, I'm sure this will be so. Thanks again for all your time and effort, Ann.
@olivetreeann Thanks for your summary and suggestions, Ann. They are really helpful--I do have the book this time, but it's good to review (or preview) the chapters. I appreciate all your work!
@olivetreeann Thanks, Ann. This has been a wonderful way to learn something new and I really appreciate all the encouragement you offer to everyone. Here's my fav of last week
@skstein That's adorable- and so perfectly suited for your flash! And your floral is fine too! Who wouldn't want to give such a spectacular bloom the full treatment?!
@quietpurplehaze I'm learning too- so it's a win-win for everyone!
@vignouse No, I did not have you on my list as I was going off the comments from the "Flash of February Returns" discussion board. But you are on there now! Thanks for joining in Richard! I will take a look at your pictures shortly.
@thistle That was a fun one- so much motion and doggy joy!
@mona65 I'm glad the summaries are helping. They help me too. You've done a great job on this shot. I really love the composition, the old books and key and the interesting addition of the shell!
@eudora You're welcome Diane! The summaries are helping me too- haha. I actually learn from taking notes and then putting it together for the post.
@olivetreeann Ann I noticed that a few folks had mentioned not being tagged etc and that there had been a typo or two. Well I noticed that you have mine incorrect in your list, you have mine as salsa instead of salza! I guess I should be coming out with a saucy comment......
@salza My apologies Sally- yes, it was a typo. I'm thinking I will make a separate document this week with all the correct tags and paste it in a reply box. Typing in 75 of these things I'm bound to make mistakes!
@difof105 I'm sorry to hear that Di! I hope you're feeling better this week. Don't worry- this challenge is not one where you have to vote or post on time. It's open for you to tackle it however you want to. So join in when you can and want to. Yes, I think your shot works as a black and white. You've processed it slightly on the high-key side which gives it a very nice softness. Good job!
@olivetreeann Hi Ann. Being new to 365 I'm still learning how things work. I have been participating in flash of red 2016 and have found it very inspiring. It has been a great learning curve for me and I'm really enjoying looking for "contrast" this month. I changed it up a little and am adding a flash of red on Thursdays just because!
@olivetreeann
Thanks so much for your summaries. I don't usually do black and white, so am finding it a bit of a challenge. I especially liked finding the "filter effects" on my camera and having a play this week.
My favourite from last week ended up being the last minute one taken on a rainy day. I like the shapes and textures of the boxes.
@sstcowan Thanks for joining us Shari! You're welcome to adjust the challenge to your liking any way you want. I'm glad you're enjoying it and learning too. That's an impressive tanker you've taken there. The black and white does a great job in bringing out the textures and rust on the hull. Good shot!
@pitasmum Thanks Keri and I'm glad it's stretching you and helping you to discover more about your camera. You did catch some nice shapes and lines in that shot. Good eye!
@sfdeb Thank you so much Deborar! I've been learning a lot from it too! What an amazing cluster of leaves. Perfect for black and white!
@skstein Thank you Sandy! One of my friends from camera club who is a black and white fanatic would love to hear that! And I really like the crop on this picture!
Hello all...
Forgive me for being a bit slow....I am a tad confused as to the flash of red challenge - is it a Selective Colour challenge (red?) or a black and white challenge?
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Thanks to one and all for making this the best Flash of Red February ever!
Ann, thank you very much for all of this. Reading your post today has decided me to buy the Batdorff. (I was a bit hesitant as I don't have/use/want Photoshop, Lightroom etc because I have other progs but I can see there is a lot more in the book than I originally thought.)
My favourite from last week is absolutely my framed tree
Here's my favorite from the first week:
I liked how this one turned out
This is my fav picture of the week. Not sure it is the best composition, but I love all the lines and shapes and contrasts in this picture.
Thank you Debs, Hazel, Julie, Deborah, Lin, Tracy, Janet, Cristina, Sarah, Diane, Hope, Sally, Wendy, Stephanie, and Zinnia for the beautiful photos, kind words and enthusiastic participation! You've made my day!
While there were two others in tight contention with Day 1's shot, it eventually beat them out. I love the details on this one and the repeated patterns between the lace and the lamp base.
And thank you Sarah, Sandi and Barb for taking part in the challenge. I found it challenging the first time out too- but now I look forward to it!
Great shots Sarah and Barb!
@dishaparekh @deachdog @jasper @ruthhill
these were the only ones that had broken links :)
@dishaparekh176
@jasperc
@ruthhill75
Now you've been properly tagged!
I guess I'm also hoping to learn more about photography in general as well as b&w and, from your excellent summaries of chapters in the Batdorff, I'm sure this will be so. Thanks again for all your time and effort, Ann.
@quietpurplehaze I'm learning too- so it's a win-win for everyone!
@vignouse No, I did not have you on my list as I was going off the comments from the "Flash of February Returns" discussion board. But you are on there now! Thanks for joining in Richard! I will take a look at your pictures shortly.
@thistle That was a fun one- so much motion and doggy joy!
@jackies365 Love the drip Jackie!
@mona65 I'm glad the summaries are helping. They help me too. You've done a great job on this shot. I really love the composition, the old books and key and the interesting addition of the shell!
@eudora You're welcome Diane! The summaries are helping me too- haha. I actually learn from taking notes and then putting it together for the post.
@mzbull That was one of my favorites too Mz!
@homeschoolmom We're waiting! (o:
@difof105 I'm sorry to hear that Di! I hope you're feeling better this week. Don't worry- this challenge is not one where you have to vote or post on time. It's open for you to tackle it however you want to. So join in when you can and want to. Yes, I think your shot works as a black and white. You've processed it slightly on the high-key side which gives it a very nice softness. Good job!
Thanks so much for your summaries. I don't usually do black and white, so am finding it a bit of a challenge. I especially liked finding the "filter effects" on my camera and having a play this week.
My favourite from last week ended up being the last minute one taken on a rainy day. I like the shapes and textures of the boxes.
@pitasmum Thanks Keri and I'm glad it's stretching you and helping you to discover more about your camera. You did catch some nice shapes and lines in that shot. Good eye!
I am inspired by all your work on this project.
@skstein Thank you Sandy! One of my friends from camera club who is a black and white fanatic would love to hear that! And I really like the crop on this picture!
Forgive me for being a bit slow....I am a tad confused as to the flash of red challenge - is it a Selective Colour challenge (red?) or a black and white challenge?