When to Turn an Image to Black and White

Black and white images are classic! I always include black and white versions in my packages. Sometimes changing an image is a gut feeling for me, and at other times I visualize it first in black and white.  There are good reasons to try it out, and here are some of the things I consider when converting an image to black and white. 

Contrast

Light plays a huge part in creating depth to your black and white photo.  Having a strong contrast can help your image come to life rather than staying flat. I always increase my contrast when working in black and white.  If you are shooting in hard light, or very high or low-key light, black and white might be a good option.

Simplify

Sometimes you want your focus to be on your subject, but you’ve had a hard time separating them from your background.  In this case it may be a good option to convert to a black and white image.  Changing to black and white can simplify your image and make your point of view easier to understand.  Sometimes the color is just not that interesting, especially if your children are wearing neon! A conversion can really help that situation.

Mood

You can help make an image feel more dramatic and moodier by converting it to black and white. Someone who I think does this really well is Helen Whittle.  She takes images of children and emphasizes their mood and feelings in a way that is just so phenomenal. Lee Jeffries takes photos of homeless people and his black and white images have a very powerful and dramatic feel.  Black and white images are also very timeless.    

Light

A way to really showcase light and texture is by converting it to black and white. Clipping your blacks intentionally will also help add depth.  With hard light color casts can be difficult to deal with. Sometimes it is too hard to get rid of color casts, but you can save a photo by converting it to black and white.  You should try your best to take care of those things first in Photoshop. Correct your white balance and then convert it to see if perhaps it looks better in black and white. This might save you some time.  

Thanks so much for reading!

Why I love photography

1. I need time to slow down.  I honestly think this is the reason everyone initially gets into photography. Photographers have a compulsive need to preserve time.  We feel it slipping away and life is like a vapor.  Here one minute and gone the next.  Time only keeps speeding up and I want to remember, document and cherish every detail.  Time is precious, and it feels like the older I get the more quickly time passes by.  Things change and happen so fast!  Sometimes I feel like I’m hurtling through life.  I love the slow days.  I love time to think and create.  Photography helps me to do that.   

2. I love the technical and artistic challenge.  Guys, you have no idea how short my attention span is.  I love art, and have always loved art.  But I get tired of different mediums rather quickly.  I have plowed my way through learning ink, watercolor, pencil, charcoal, oil paint, oil and chalk pastels, sculpting, woodburning, hand lettering, calligraphy, acrylic paint, marblizing and making paper, collage, cooking, sewing, poetry- you name it! Photography has kept my focus for soooo long.  And that is because the possibilities are endless!  From editing, to film, to getting things technically right straight out of camera, from learning my settings and gear.  It is a gold mine of endless learning!!!!! Photography is such a good fit for me.  Since I have an automotive background, I love the technical aspect of photography.  Since I am an artist, I also love the control and artistic view you can infuse into every photograph.  Since I am somewhat of a perfectionist, I can work hard to achieve a perfectly exposed photo in camera every time.  I love learning and trying new things, and I have yet to reach any exhaustive point with photography and I have been actively absorbing everything I can for at least five years.    

 3.  I love observing people.  Photography has helped me to become more thoughtful and observant.  It has also helped me to consider how I can become a better visual storyteller.  I love unique quirks and small ticks.  I love seeing different personalities. I love expressing myself through photography in a way that will honor the person I am photographing, and best tell their story. 

 4. I feel that it is an important craft to learn.  Photography has been around and changed a lot in its lifetime.  There are skills to be learned from photography.  I think it is important to see beauty in the mundane.  I think it’s important to study the masters.  Learning photography has improved my ability to see light.  It has improved my ability to capture dynamic skin tones when I paint. It has taught me to look for design and composition in everything.  I can see things in a new way, and it has sparked my curiosity about the world.    

 Thanks for reading!!!

What to photograph (other than your children)

So many children, including my own, get tired of participating in pictures.  I always want to practice on my own kids, but I know they get tired of having a camera in their face.  I’ll admit this has been a struggle for me.  My kids are great sports!  Not to mention they will not object to a chocolate bribe now and then! But lately I have been wondering what I can photograph besides portraits.  I love portraiture. It is so fun, but sometimes I just want some creative alone time.  So, here are some ideas that I go to for pictures other than children.

Flowers:

Setting up a still life is an excellent idea.  Perhaps just walking around your yard will give you some inspiration.  I love flowers, and I have a decent flower garden in my own back yard.  So sometimes, I just like to walk around there and see if I can find bugs or butterflies, or interesting flowers.  Then I try to compose a shot in the best way I can imagine.  Sometimes still life is so much easier than a fast-moving child.  It is also a great way to learn how to free lens!  

Cars:

I have an automotive background, so I love to photograph cars! I know, it’s kind of a weird background for an artsy girl.  But combining my love of cars and art is so fun for me. Once again, it is so much easier than trying to get a genuine reaction from a child! There are so many possibilities with cars from light painting to panning! Cars are a great way to experiment.  If you have a fisheye lens this might be a good time to use it!

Landscapes:

Landscapes aren’t something that I am used to doing.  Maybe that’s because I’m in Indiana and it’s pretty flat around here! Ha! However, I think that no matter where you live you can make a beautiful landscape picture.  Sometimes it’s just a matter of beautiful light! I find what helps me with landscapes are layering and making sure that you have a subject.  Whether it’s beautiful light through a tree, or a mountain or a barn. 

Details:

Sometimes it’s best to just give your children something to do or play and then capture all those little details.  Think of your composition and light. Hands and feet tell part of the story! Dirty bare feet, hands full of frogs or mud.  There are many possibilities!

Hope you enjoy these ideas! Thanks for reading!