July 2019 - 65te Xt: Sanchit miShRaShoot in Black and white
In black and white there are no colours and
the photo requires definite quantity of strong
composition using elements such as shape,
line and tonal contrast to come through. It
takes time to learn how to see in monochrome.
Here’s an easy way to get started.
Set the camera to its monochrome mode
(check your camera’s instruction manual if
you don’t know how to do this). Fix the filter
colour to red or orange and gain the contrast.
Now, when you capture photos, the photo
is displayed on the LCD screen in black and
white. This gives you present feedback on how
fit the composition works in black and white.
The image is displayed in black and white
even if you set the file format to Raw. The best
part of shooting in Raw is that you have a full
colour file that you can do anything with later.
That includes changing to black and white in
software that gives a better outcome than the
black and white mode on the camera.
woRk in colouR
Here’s another way to look at things in
a fresh way. Why not set a colour project?
Pass the day just capturing photos of things
that are red or blue, yellow or green or any
colour that inspires you.
An alternative is to work with a more
subtle colour such as brown or grey. This
can really question your creativity as you
look for ways to make fascinating photos
from subtle colour palettes.
A selection of photos utilising the colour
red. Not all captured on one day but it shows
how impressive it can be to group photos
together that share a powerful visual element
such as same colour. Going back through
your old photos and placing them by colour
may give you a new way to show your work
or motivate you to take more colour based
photos.