Thinking about our theme this month, Black and White I began to look into my archives, keeping an eye out for some good contrast. It only takes a few minutes to convert an image from color and then it occurred to me that I have never tried to actually shoot in black and white. Some cameras like my own have an option in the Menu section to switch to a “Monochrome” view. On the Canon 5D MarkII you can choose this option under Picture Style.
As long as I stayed in manual mode and shot RAW the preview came up monochromatic. You can see on the histogram information above the photo has all its color information, saved in sRGB. When you import the photos they appear in color. It may seem unnecessary to preview your photo in black and white but you may answer the question of whether the image has enough interest to pull off monochrome.
A few tips I have always found useful for monochromatic shots include, shoot in bright light, aware of your highs and lows, contrast is your friend. Look for active skies, clouds that are sweeping or billowing make for dramatic black and white landscapes.
Can you hear your soul? by Elina__
While doing some research I stumbled upon a wedding photographer in London, Jeff Ascough, check out his wedding photography, they are predominantly black and white and they are beautiful. The muses have been talking about all of the wonderful images being submitted to the Mortal Muse Flickr Pool lately. I have to agree the pool has been outstanding lately, here are a few of my personal favorites.
one rainy afternoon by Suzi Marshall
* * * ~ by Teteel
web in the woods by Jill@Green Hill
2 november by urban.prairie.forest.
find me by tmosnaps
Disembodied Bloom by Redzenradish
Early morning at my desk with the light coming through the shutters by Justine Gordon
How often do you shoot in black and white? I know for me the answer is not enough, after spending some quality time with your monochromatic work. I remember now how much I enjoy pouring over every little detail, details that seem to jump out once the color has been stripped away.
See you in the Flickr Pool!
Lindsey aka modchik
Great post, Lindsey – I didn’t know I had the option of shooting in black and white on my camera, and I’m going to have great fun testing that out now.
thank you for choosing my picture, I am enjoying the challenge of november in black and white.
Thank you for choosing my Archie 🙂
I’ve only played around with shooting in Monochrome once, but this gets me thinking that I might have to try it again. Love your picks from the group pools, so many wonderful images in there!
Such inspiring monochrome images, Lindsey. I must try and figure out how to shoot in black and white on my Camera too and give this a go!
I definitely want to shoot more black and white. Maybe changing the view on my camera would help (thanks for the tip on how!). Love the images you’ve selected from the pool. There are some great ones here and in there. I really do love how light can be portrayed in black and white.
Love this post and your tips, Lindsey. I need to go check my camera to see if I can switch to monochrome view right there on the LCD. And great choices from the Flickr pool!
these are some great tips. I have been drawn to black and white lately. I need to start shooting it too.
Yes, great tips. Is there any App for the iphone which lets you preview in b/w?
Hueless is a fast app which lets you see the world in b/w. And it’s super fast too! Give it a go.
Thanks Kirsten I will give Hueless a try.
Thank you for choosing to use my photo here. I’m honored! I’ve fallen in love with black and white and feel like I’m cheating on monochrome when I shoot in color.
Kristina (Redzenradish)