Tips for Taking Black and White Digital Photos

Black and white pictures make very interesting shots and bring a clarity to subjects that color pictures can't touch. But, as with anything, there are tips and tricks for getting the most from them. I'm here to walk you through 10 of the best ways I know to bring your black and white pictures into focus.

Choose your subject. Black and white pictures work really well when photographing portraits. Our eyes are less critical of any blemishes or imperfections when the subject is in black and white and the photo takes on a classic quality.

Gloomy days rule. Overcast days tend to wash out color pictures but not so with black and white. Try this trick the next time you encounter the situation and I promise that you won't be disappointed.

Capture the moment. Very emotional scenes make for stunning black and white shots. The clarity of the picture helps to focus on the intensity of the event.

Follow the babes. Infants and young children make great subjects in black and white pictures. Their innocence really comes through in such a stark fashion.

City landscapes. Here is another subject that begs for black and white. Losing the color helps to focus on the buildings and their contrast with the skyline.

Focus. For black and white shots you want the picture to be crisp and detailed. Leave the fuzzy shots to color.

Lighting. Where bright light washes out many color pictures it has the opposite effect on black and white. Use light and shadows to play up your pictures and you will have some truly stunning shots as a result.

Bring some perspective. An ordinary shot can become spectacular by using an interesting angle to play it up. This is even truer with black and white photography as interesting lines and angles become even more prominent.

Start with color. Photoshop pictures that you took in color into black and white to see if the effect is any different. In most cases it will bring a whole new dimension to what was before just an ordinary picture.

Play around. Photoshop can be your best friend with black and white pictures. Consider picking one aspect of a shot and highlighting it with a splash of color. For example, coloring a rose in a picture of a woman holding a single long stemmed flower can be dramatic and beautiful.

Black and white pictures not only remind us of a more simple time but they bring a sense of drama, romance, and class to otherwise ordinary pictures. Add them to your repertoire with the simple tips I have outlined and you can bring their beauty into your own life.