| Black-and-white photography has become | | | | shadowYou could say that light and shadow are all |
| increasingly popular once again. When color | | | | there is to black-and-white photographs. That's |
| photography first burst upon the scene, | | | | why it's so important to use them to your |
| black-and-white photography fell out of favor. It | | | | advantage. Take pictures of the same scene at |
| was seen as "old" and "out." But in recent years, | | | | different times of the day and you'll see how |
| we are rediscovering the beauty of | | | | important light and shadow are to the mood of a |
| black-and-white, and today we admire the power | | | | photograph. You can also experiment with |
| and purity of black-and-white images.Here are | | | | different qualities of light. For example, take a |
| some important elements to consider in taking | | | | picture of a fence on a bright day, and take |
| black-and-white photographs.SubjectChoose your | | | | another picture of the same fence on a foggy |
| subject carefully. Some subjects that look | | | | day.ColorsSome colors that are eye-catching in a |
| interesting in color look dull in black-and-white. On | | | | color picture can get washed out in a |
| the other hand, black-and-white can create an | | | | black-and-white photograph. The same thing can |
| unexpectedly intimate portrait or transform a | | | | happen with color combinations. For example, red |
| simple scene into a dramatic moment.Photographs | | | | and green look striking together, but in a |
| of people look especially good in black-and-white. | | | | black-and-white photograph, the two colors are |
| More and more people are having their wedding | | | | nearly indistinguishable. It all comes back to |
| pictures taken in black-and-white because it | | | | subject. Choose a subject that looks interesting or |
| makes the photographs look timeless and | | | | dramatic in black-and-white and does not rely on |
| therefore more romantic. Black-and-white | | | | color for its beauty.ShapesPrecisely because of its |
| photographs of couples on honeymoon or on | | | | lack of color, black-and-white photography relies |
| vacation can be equally captivating. Whereas a | | | | greatly on shapes and lines to provide interest. A |
| color picture might be a mere record of a trip, a | | | | black-and-white photograph that is all straight lines |
| black-and-white photograph captures emotions | | | | can look modern and architectural, but it can also |
| and impressions with unusual power. When you're | | | | look flat. A subject that incorporates slanting lines, |
| in a festive or exciting place, your first instinct | | | | crooked lines, or curves generally looks interesting |
| might be to take color pictures, but if you've ever | | | | in black-and-white.TextureLike shapes, textures |
| seen a black-and-white photograph of a man | | | | are very important in black-and-white |
| kissing a woman on a beach, you know how | | | | photography. The surface of a straw hat has |
| much more compelling a black-and-white | | | | more visual impact than the surface of a baseball |
| photograph can be.Black-and-white photographs of | | | | cap. If you're taking a picture of your small son, |
| children and babies are also very beautiful and | | | | consider dressing him in a cable-knit sweater |
| sentimental. Children grow up, and babies won't be | | | | instead of a T-shirt.PerspectiveIn photography, |
| babies forever, so the nostalgic atmosphere that | | | | perspective is one of your best friends. It can |
| black-and-white photographs create is especially | | | | help you tell a story, suggest relationships, and |
| appropriate.When you're taking black-and-white | | | | bring a boring subject to life. The black-and-white |
| photographs of people, it is better if they are | | | | photograph of straight lines mentioned above |
| dressed simply and in solid colors, not in prints. | | | | won't look flat if you take it from an unusual |
| The fewer the elements in a black-and-white | | | | angle. If you're photographing a wall of windows, |
| photograph, the more dreamy or dramatic it will | | | | stand near the bottom of the building and point |
| be.Buildings, landscapes, and other scenes are also | | | | your camera up. If you're taking a picture of your |
| valuable subjects in black-and-white photography. | | | | new puppy, stand over it with your camera, and |
| Keep an eye out for the unexpected. The way | | | | it will look very small and sweet.Remember, |
| the light falls on a table, the shadow of a bicycle | | | | black-and-white photography is beautiful because it |
| on the ground, or the swaying of a tree in the | | | | creates images that are so personal and |
| wind could be the subject of your next | | | | meaningful. Experiment with it and have fun with |
| black-and-white masterpiece.BackgroundMake sure | | | | it. A few years from now, when your children are |
| the background does not distract from your | | | | grown and you've moved to a different town, |
| subject. Sometimes moving your subject a few | | | | you'll be glad you made the effort to capture |
| feet to the right or left is all that you need to | | | | what was around you, when it was still around.Lee |
| eliminate unnecessary elements from your | | | | Dobbins writes for where you can learn more |
| photograph. If that doesn't work, try taking the | | | | about photography of all types. |
| picture from a different angle.Light and | | | | |