Five Ways to Improve Your Black and White Photography

[@richardsimms251]

Very interesting discussion you made. Also good learning experience in this excellent video. Thank you RS. Canada

[@bernym4047]

Some beautiful monochromes near the end. I used to be a 'sunny day' photographer and relied on harsh lighting to give my monochrome images contrast. Now, I look forward to very overcast days even when it's raining and especially like foggy days. When talking about minimalist images, something you did not mention is carefully composing to get separation between elements of the composition and or the background. This can be achieved several ways, e.g. changing your shooting position, selecting a focal length and aperture to use differential focus, post processing to add contrast to certain colours. One post processing 'trick' I use is to add a fog effect to simplify an image or to enhance an existing fog in the scene. However, a very clear and concise treatise of venturing into mono. Thanks.

[@tomaszdunajski1023]

Gray days are the most beautiful.

[@brucemcclelland904]

Nice. I’ve been converting RAW images to monochrome in post (mostly Luminar Neo these days), but this video reminds me that I can use my mirrorless camera to see the world in BW as I shoot. Even in my Canon F1 Tri-X/Plus-X days, I couldn’t see the image without color until the film and print were developed. These are good tips and reminders here. Thanks.

[@snotty7]

Thanks for that. I’m starting to dabble in monochrome long exposure photography. I can take a lot from this to help me improve. A very informative clip.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Absolute pleasure Tony. I hope it was useful.

[@skyaqua776]

That is the way I do it. I love it!! Thank you.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I’m pleased you enjoyed it!

[@SloopJohnBeeRockabilly]

Great informative video man. I have subscribed because 👍📸

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Thanks for the sub!

[@NeoDon1]

All great tips! Just liked and subbed. Nice. I have the G9 and want,and will use this info on my next shoot. Thanks

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Pleased you enjoyed them. How do you find the G9? I’ve just picked up a GH5 ii so I’m looking forward to see how that does for black and white (and looking forward to having a less heavy bag!!)

[@lisanoda6785]

Thanx so much, really enjoyed that. I’m just a beginner so taking a look at everything and will try your suggestions. I was blown away by the poles shot, such a difference when in black and white 😮

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Absolute pleasure Lisa... I hope you get some great results.

[@dennishancock]

Thank you for doing this Jason

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Hope you found it helpful!

[@dennisdragan1128]

Good advise… Nicely presented! 9:18

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Fellmandave1]

Great stuff Jason. This has had a lot of views and deservedly so. Great to see your channel is taking off. Devilish number of subscribers tonight though!

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Cheers Dave. Yep, noticed that myself... thankfully it hasn't stuck there!

[@stevejennings2394]

Thanks for sharing!

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Pleased you enjoyed it!

[@adventurecoalition3690]

Thx for the tips, will put them to use

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

It was a pleasure - I hope they were helpful

[@Nuka_Gaming]

These are all great tips and I'll be putting them towards my photos, but I have to say that jingle that plays when you present the photo is very unsettling

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Sorry about that.., I’ll remember to not use that one again!

[@brianguernsey4213]

Thanks that was very helpful.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I’m really pleased you enjoyed it Brian

[@BigBadLoneWolf]

Jason, on both my Nikon DSLR's i can set the white balance, and also the preview on the screen, while still shooting RAW

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I think it totally depends on the camera manufacturer. I definitely recall using a system where I couldn’t select the picture profile without setting JPEG’s and raw. Dont ask me what system is was though (I’ve used way too many - this isn’t necessarily a good thing!). Could have possibly been an old canon (but don’t quote me 😂)

[@gerryhardman9060]

Have you ever just shot your pix with using a yellow or orange filter as opposed to using the pix profile, any difference other than exposure time?

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I did a long time ago (when using a DSLR)... Not really much of a difference that I can remember although using a coloured filter did help with previsualising black & white (a bit like switching your mirrorless camera to a mono profile)

[@skullerhead6150]

Witch are your settings an profile for color photography?

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I generally use a portrait profile as I find it quite flat... but as I am shooting RAW I rarely worry about it.

[@johnclay7644]

informative content

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Thanks. I hope it was helpful.

[@jamescraig3345]

Right off the bat I have a problem with the need to "see" in b&w. I shoot ONLY for b&w. Shot film for decades, learning to see through the color in the viewer and "seeing" the b&w in my mind. When digital and the "ability" to view in b&w came around, I actually found it a distraction - I "see" more constructively for b&w with the color in there. However, having the ability to view both IS likely a way for those not conditioned to get there.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I agree James… and that was the point I was trying to make. It simplifies the learning process to “see” in black and white - as opposed to taking a photo in colour and then later thinking it could look good in black and white. Thank you for leaving the comment

[@D-Imagine]

Interesting video, but since you mentioned that you have experience with analog photography, working with film, the camera, and the darkroom, have you ever tried taking digital photos without looking at the rear screen? Basically, what I’m asking is, have you tried truly capturing images using the same tools as before, such as a light meter? Because, honestly, I don't see the benefit of capturing images using a trial-and-error approach.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I own an Xpro3 so, yes, I have! And don’t forget that plenty of the last 35mm film cameras had light meters. In fact my last MF film camera had a reliable light meter. I think the message behind this video was to just try and approach things a bit differently. I wouldn’t call this a trial and error approach.

[@mnoliberal7335]

1. Get a 35mm film camera, a couple rolls of Ilford XP2, shoot the film at box speed and have it developed at a lab.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Well… that’s pretty much exactly the route I took (I actually processed it myself) and there are merits to learning B&W that way. However, not everyone wants to shoot film (or doesn’t want the expense).

[@RogierYou]

Shoot JPEG + RAW

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Fully agree. That’s what I do and recommend

[@raybeaumont7670]

Digital still can't match film for monochrome. Silver wins hands down.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I agree Ray… which is why I still shoot film alongside digital. Digital is definitely more convenient however.

[@Dan-jg7zl]

Anyone wanting to become better at photography, DON'T use mirrorless. It's a braindead way of learning. Always take the more dificult route if you want to become better at photography. Use an OVF and learn to study and visualise your scenes in black and white with your eyes.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Hi Dan. Working on your argument, you shouldn't even use a digital camera but shoot film and use coloured filters... that is working on the principle that you should always take the difficult route. I personally learnt black and white photography that way (film and filters) but for a lot of people, being able to see how colour translates to mono at the shooting stage makes the learning curve so much easier. And over time it will indeed become second nature. Everybody learns in different ways so I really don't think it's a braindead way of learning. Thanks for leaving the comment though... always nice to read other peoples opinions.

[@fintonmainz7845]

Nonsense

[@koustabborah4959]

What kind of nonsense is this ?

[@koobs4549]

The best way to learn photography is with a camera & all cameras operate on the same photographic principles.