How to Capture The Perfect Black and White Portrait
Black-and-white photos, while widely known, are often misunderstood. Some view them as an afterthought — a way to edit a color picture we’re not fully happy with.
With that mentality, we miss the true beauty that black-and-white portraiture can bring. From evoking emotion to highlighting certain features, there is a lot you can do with a black-and-white portrait.
This article will discuss the whys and hows of capturing beautiful black-and-white portraits. So get your camera ready, find your muse, and let’s see how you can bring your black-and-white photography to the next level.
Color vs. Black-and-White Portraits
This might be a matter of personal preference or pure practicality. Black-and-white typically leads to more dramatic portraits.
With portraiture, there are specific considerations to bear in mind when making this decision. The first one is your subject and whether the use of color is essential. Is their hair a vibrant shade of color or do they wear clothes that stand out?
Secondly, consider the setting or backdrop. Does the color scheme play a significant role in the shot you're capturing?
Black-and-white portraiture could be an option for you if you answered no to these questions. Most importantly, this is because it eliminates background noise. Additionally, black-and-white portrait photography brings out the subject's best features.
Lastly, the significance of mood and ambience is another key factor to think about. Although black and white portraits are commonly thought of as having a somber or depressing tone, that is not necessarily the case.
6 Tips for Capturing a Beautiful Black-and-White Portrait
A lot must be considered with black-and-white images, and these are my top six tips for you when shooting a portrait.
1. Make Black-and-White Your Mindset
Using black and white as a post-production experimental decision is something that many photographers incorrectly do. Black-and-white portraits have their own particularities, therefore it is important to start your photoshoot with black-and-white in mind.
Rather than treating black-and-white as an afterthought, adopt a perspective that is consistent with black-and-white portraiture. Think ahead and choose if you'll be shooting in color or not. When you go into making an image with the intention of turning it black and white, you can ensure it has all the makings of a great monochrome shot before you even click the shutter.
You have to change your strategy when dealing with black-and-white images because they are distinct from color photos. For example, the most striking black-and-white pictures often showcase striking lighting, distinct facial expressions, and a wide range of tonal contrasts.
For the greatest effects, plan to shoot in black and white ahead of time because these elements are hard, if not impossible, to adjust after the fact.
2. Set Up Proper Lighting
Lighting matters a lot in black-and-white portraits. It's not just about brightness; lighting shapes how the picture looks and feels. Light and shadows highlight the face, making features more noticeable.
When done right, it also brings out textures and gives the photo a timeless quality. In black and white, there's no color to grab attention, so lighting becomes crucial. It sets the mood and captures emotions, making the photo more about the person.
Without good lighting, a black-and-white photo might look flat or dull. It's like the secret ingredient that turns a regular picture into fine art.
3. Choose The Right Pose
When experimenting with black-and-white portrait photography, it could be tempting to go for a more dramatic and atmospheric approach. But there is an option to get a more candid shot of your subject if you choose.
Black and white doesn't have to be all film noir; in fact, it may bring forth humor and enjoyment. Just as much as color portraits may bring out a subject's smile, black-and-white photography can do the same.
4. Use Tethering
Simply said, tethering is the process of linking your camera to a mobile device or computer. With this easy setup, you can view your images on a bigger screen right away, giving you a better idea of what the final image will be like.
Tethering is a lifesaver when shooting with a camera that doesn't have an electronic viewfinder with a high pixel density. The large screen allows you to see the exact effects of your black-and-white settings as they happen. Instead of winging it, you may now make calculated modifications while shooting.
5. Use a Wide Aperture
Using a wide aperture, such as f/1.4 to f/2.5, in black-and-white portrait images will create a bokeh effect and draw attention to the subject's eyes or other focus points.
With a wide aperture and a sharp focus on the subject's eye, you can also blur their facial characteristics. This can also be striking in monochrome, which forces the viewer to actively choose how to distinguish between foreground and background elements in the absence of color.
6. Consider High ISO
Generally speaking, you should aim to avoid using a high ISO setting. At extremely high ISO settings, it can also reduce an image's sharpness, contrast, and clarity by producing noise.
Nevertheless, when shooting black-and-white portraits, using a high ISO isn't necessarily an issue. It may even be something you decide on. Changing a noisy, high-ISO color image to black and white can make it easier to work with. It has the power to transform an ordinary photo into an artistic masterpiece.
Final Thoughts
As any portrait photographer will tell you, when done right, black-and-white portraits can convey much more than you’d first expect. By following these tips, you can shoot your own black-and-white masterpieces.
If you’d like your black-and-white portraits shot professionally, don’t hesitate to contact me about your photoshoot!
What do you prefer, black-and-white or color portraits? Let me know in the comments!