5 Important Steps for Black and White Photography

A great Black and White photograph captures the viewer's imagination.  Here are some tips to achieve a great B and W photo:

1.  Shoot in RAW

Many people can't shoot in RAW because their cameras don't offer it, or they just don't shoot in RAW because they don't know how to use it.  In my opinion it's the good way to get B and W images, but of course shooting photos in JPG or JPEG wont stop you from getting B and W photos, it's just an option for photographers.

2.  Shoot in Colour

If you can't use RAW or you don't want to - then shoot in colour and do your conversion to to black and white later on your Photoshop, Picasa, Picnik, or any photo editing software.

3.  Always use Low ISO (nternational Organization for Standardization)
ISO is the light sensitivity of your digital camera; it is similar to ASA on film cameras.

Shooting with the lowest ISO possible helps you to get the perfect colour and resolution and so you can convert your images easily.

4.  When to Shoot

I prefer to shoot photos for B and W in low contrast situations.  Some people complain about the poor light photos when its cloudy day, but try shooting for B and W for great results.  

5.  Composition

The general tips on how to compose or frame a good shot apply just as well to black and white photography as they do when shooting in colour. You have to train yourself to look at the shapes, tones, and textures in your frame. Pay attention to shadows and highlights which will become a feature of your shot!

Here some of my Black and White Photos:

Outdoors:

Indoors: