Seeing in Black and White with Eileen Rafferty

Eileen explores a brief history of the use of black and white imagery and discuss why we might want to use black and white photography today. Also discussing learning to see our color world in black and white so that we can identify scenes that will ultimately provide the most dynamic grayscale tonal range. As well as explore techniques for converting to black and white and how to mimic old darkroom techniques with Adobe Photoshop.
Eileen Rafferty's Work
www.eileenrafferty.com

[@stephenvictor8961]

Kudos to B&H for engaging Eileen Rafferty as an instructor. She is exceptionally talented as a teacher: She is knowledgeable and experienced. Her preparation for this class is superb: Her images choices exemplify her teaching points unambiguously. Perfectly. Eileen is affable and engaging. Her rate of speech, tones of voice and presence are everything one wants and needs in a teacher. This is staggeringly effective teaching video and I have learned and benefitted more than I can express. Thank you!

[@haimtoeg]

Never thought I’d spend two hours watching a lecture like this, but this is very focused and well done, and Eileen is a fantastic teacher.

[@rageshcnc]

This is the best class I ever watched online. You are a wonderful teacher.

[@chhansen]

I may be late to the game, but this is a fantastic educational lecture that is exactly what I was looking for when considering exploring B&W photography in the digital age. What a pleasant surprise to find this quality of content available online. Eileen really shines here.

[@markytyz6753]

One of the best lectures on photography I have heard. Clear, concise and structured. I just want to hear more like this.

[@jonkers2007]

Thank you for the clearest, most engaging and informative class I have ever watched on a single aspect of photography.

[@StellarWorks2023]

This was so good. I learned a lot and am so grateful to have been introduced to Aaron Siskind and Nick Brandt, who have become my new favourite photographers. Thank you Eileen, thank you B&H 🙏🏾

[@L.E.Santo02]

One of the best videos, B&H. Eileen Rafferty is a great educator. Thank you!

[@1PettiTheYeti]

Probably the best B&W video I've come across. Lots of knowledge shared and theory shown in demonstration. Thanks Eileen for teaching, and B&H for sharing.

[@ElCai86]

Love Eileen's lectures. Seriously, thanks so much for sharing them with us all B and H

[@jtr200747]

Nearly two years ago and still exciting to watch. One of the blessings from KZbin - Brilliant! Half way through the video I recognise the different feel I get from the same picture in colour or black and white, and its not about shooting in black and white or colour. It's about the motive and the feel we see from watching - reality I guess. Some of the pictures are really great in colour and I like the feel. Turning them into black and white changes that completely and maybe the picture is emptied - it do not speak to me. But anyone else might have another experience with the same change in the same picture. So I guess its also about our state of mind or subconscious if you will. Thanks Eileen!

[@ovancic]

Thank you very much Eileen for making this presentation. As I'm a beginner in a world of photography I've already discover that I have a passion toward black-white style. I'm so aspired by this presentation so that I consider it truly "TIMELESSNESS" . Definitely the best one I found on this subject.

[@jaimenisenbaum4631]

Hi Eileen: thank you very much for this video. I watched it last night with my 15 year old daughter who is also into photography and we both learned a lot. We all so very much appreciated you're open and non-judgmental stance towards photography.

[@leonisalpha4537]

She is a skilled teacher. I often had hard times converting to b&w but now i know exactly why. Its actually changing my perpective on what a "good light" really is. Well done and thank you.

[@senior_ranger]

Very, very well done. The most professional progression I've seen in a B&H video. Eileen is obviously a master teacher. Thanks!!

[@megsman4749]

It didn't take away some of the guesswork in black and white photography, it took away ALL the guesswork. KAPOWWWW! Mind blown. Thank you so much.

[@iduvideo]

Excellent teaching on B&W and beyond. Very well worth the time. Thank you Eileen!

[@Micantropo78]

This tutorial it's amazing and Eileen is a great teacher! Very clear to understand and really helpful for develop an B/W eye!

[@mikejenner4994]

Exploring black and white photography and came across this - just Magic! Many thanks!

[@darthvada42]

A very enlightening talk . Pretty much covered the entire depth of black and white photography through great examples.

[@khushjivsinghsethi5719]

It was tough sitting through almost 2 hours of the class but it was all worthwhile. Your presentation is excellent and has given me something interesting to experience. Thanks.

[@brainspace3133]

Please, please ,please come to Australia. We need Master Teachers like you here. That was the best 2 hrs of KZbin ive seen.

[@pearldevenow860]

trying to say something unique here but what's been said already expresses my thoughts...one of the best videos/lessons I've seen. Will follow all of her work!

[@ronb5949]

This is an awesome study. I stumbled on it today and I've watched the whole thing. I haven't really shot anything in 2 years except with my phone but this was definitely inspiring. Thank you.

[@alanjones3454]

I've not used film cameras for over 35 years and even then I only shot in colour. Now with time on my hands I've bought an old Olympus OM40 and some Ilford XP2. When I got my 1st two rolls back from develop/print I was really disappointed in the lack of tonal separation in my images. I realised straight away that it's because I can't "see in black and white". This tutorial has helped me immensely and I now see difference in brightness levels much more clearly and I am much happier with my prints. What I've also found to be helpful is to carry my battered old Fuji x10 digital camera , with the film simulation set to b/w no filter and use the screen to preview the scene before committing myself to taking the shot with my film camera. Hopefully with more practice I'll no longer need this "crutch" , but for anyone struggling with black and white I highly recommend trying it out.

[@jeffmckeown9639]

1:17:10. Dddyyaaaaahhh!!! Snowboaders! I laughed out loud. Eileen is simply amazing. Her talent, candor, and ability to break these subjects down to meaningful and relevant point is highly effective and much appreciated. I love how she is not selling anything. Thank you B&H and Eileen!

[@reynoldsyoung4163]

Having just started my B&W journey with a Leica M10 Monochrome, Eileen opened my eyes, literally, like never before to the magic possible. I have been shooting color for 50 years and have thoroughly enjoyed the transition to digital. Now, with this VERY well presented 2 hours, I feel like I may have a bit of a jump start toward more creativity in both color and B&W. Way to go B&H for putting this piece out there. Yet another reason you guys are the best in photo support and innovation.

[@johncampbell335]

Outstanding video. Thank you Eileen and B & H.

[@Tanguero5380]

Nearly two hours of real classroom video. Not the type of "watch how nice are the 50 best photos I have ever shot out of my 300000 pictures taken". Of course all of it seems obvious, but it is demonstrated with exemples. Rationality being the base of the lesson. It feels like being back to photography class. Back to basics, but steadily useful. A good reminder. I'm looking forward for more from Eileen on light !

[@chadhooey6092]

Great class, you explained so much about what makes a great image that so many do not touch on! Thank you for your work on this class I learned so much!

[@laolong2493]

Das klarste und informatorisch beste Video über die "Grundlagen" zum Verständnis der Schwarz/weiss Fotografie, das ich je in verschiedenen Foren gesehen habe. Vielen Dank Eileen. Eine klar und logisch aufgebaute Präsentation mit didaktischem know how. Great.

[@everelusivekudos]

This lecture was great! It cleared out questions I had and learned a few things along the way.

[@vernonalvares8440]

Eileen was so clear with her seminar concept on B&W.. truly up there among thd best guides .. thks so much to the entire team for putting out this excellent video.. cheers, vernon_alvares, Mumbai India

[@BandH]

+Anderson Alves (andersoncmalves) Thanks for your comment. That is a great suggestion but unfortunately at this time we don't have the resources necessary to translate our videos. However, we will definitely take your request under advisement. Thanks again!

[@ArgentonRodrigo]

+B and H thanks for sharing, just a feedback to Eileen, not all people who is seen this class are English native, names could be written in the slides to facilitate search. Thank you again.

[@joaovtaveira]

Absolutely great video. I'm learning a lot about black and white photography.

[@scdeltaa]

Great lecture. Thanks to B&H and Eileen!

[@richardowen4558]

Nicely done! I got into b&w when I saw Ansel Adams' images and I learned to see what b&w could actually look like. Never was a good wet darkroom printer (that is quite a skill!) but have enjoyed what I can do in the digital world. While I convert images to b&w for printing it is to showcase the subjects (documentary/street photographer) that I photograph. I want the viewer to see the expressions and/or light that caught my attention.

[@drumman132]

Wonderful presentation. Appreciated the variety of images shared to illustrate concepts shared. You were able to merge composition principles, technique and content into a well presented lecture. The examples of master works was also very eye opening and inspirational. I look forward to more presentations by Eileen and will view her other videos from B&H soon.

[@wonnyfon]

One of the best I've watched. Thank you.

[@kingsley244]

What an excellent and comprehensive lesson. Thank you.

[@juanvelasquez2956]

It is a master class. I really love how she explained it. Thanks a lot

[@peterforde9513]

Thank you so much; two wonderful hours of photographic mastery,

[@KurniaLim]

Love this one, Eileen's class always great...

[@lighthousephotographydream3302]

Thank you Eileen, amazing presentation!

[@JeevesTCW]

Fascintating thank you, Ive often wondered how you know when something will work well in B&W. This knowledge just gives more options to my photography.

[@mkshffr4936]

Fabulous presentation. Thank you. Of course don't forget the power of color filters to distinguish things that are otherwise similar tone.

[@pedrobartolomei7707]

i think it's the first time i really see a video this long, lot's of information, it as very useful!

[@andreasfischer8829]

I watched the video from the beginning to the end. I believe I learned a lot😀. Thank you.

[@sittig904]

Eileen is a wonderful teacher!

[@boristrouserkov]

Wow ! loved that. Learned so much. If you're thinking "Do I want to spend two hours here?" The answer is, very much, "Yes" Off to look for more. Thank you.

[@daxpaulino]

nicely presented! Well done!!! Thank you Eileen Rafferty and B and H!

[@dazman1973]

Fascinating and inspiring presentation. Thank you for posting.

[@TonyC0101]

Such an amazing class! Definitely learned a lot.

[@heinzhagenbucher4714]

Such an interesting presentation. Thank you very much for it. I love B&W too.

[@rohanaperera1005]

Thank you for the very informative and illustrative presentation on this subject.

[@hofmanno1]

Impressive and extremely interesting presentation, Eileen...I learnt a lot...:-) Thank you very much. Olaf

[@brendadelorespoole565]

Loved this video - It taught me a lot on Black and White.

[@lynnjohnson3669]

Thank you, the best tutorial on black and white photography. please can we have more of this, just loved it. Thank you.

[@Savaseul]

Never learned so much in one class: amazing!

[@Terry2020]

Thanks - this is a great series！ B and H should invite Eileen to give more tutorials！

[@bodofelusch]

Hey Eileen, thank you very much for this outstanding presentation. absolutely fantastic you‘re awesome! Regards from cologne

[@mondedusilence]

Great video. Very informative, the tutor is amazing. Thank you

[@TheG7thcapo]

Here rewatching this video in 2022. Watched this a few yrs back. Good to learn things again.

[@imseeingdots420]

I really, really liked this video..... thank you so much for sharing!

[@RonDonson]

Outstanding session!!!

[@netzhaut6494]

Excellent. Wanna see more from Eileen.

[@williamfitch1408]

Thanks - this is a great series.

[@DanielMelzerPhotography]

amazing video! thank you guys so much for uploading

[@lovicios]

Wonderful, really enlightening! :) A top educator

[@rosalieb7909]

Very informative. What are your thoughts about shooting in B&W when using digital?

[@scobian80]

This lecture is absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much!!

[@BandH]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@qnetx]

Excellent! Great presentation and content.

[@bcd689]

amazing content - I learned so much, thanks for uploading

[@LongbeachJorge]

Thank You!! Great tutorial and learned so much!

[@raga375]

Brilliant content and teaching!

[@amosk24]

Looking forward to B&H having you back to teach zone system and light characteristics

[@jaimezapata6954]

Great methodology at introducing the concepts of conversion into B & W.

[@juliasandra7071]

Thank you very much for this video Eileen. Greeeeaaaattttt LoVe It.

[@danielling792]

Thanks. I learned the subtleties of black and white.

[@hannabolate5657]

I loved it. Fantastic lecture 👌

[@papik1965]

Hi Eileen, thank you for a super tutorial! I've learned so much! I've done a lot of short courses in photography, but your style of teaching is exemplary in that it's well presented and easy to understand. And thank you B&H for making it possible! Is there any way I can find list of other tutorials done by Eileen? Many thanks!

[@BandH]

+keith plunkett Hi Keith, Please check out Eileen Rafferty's Work here: www.eileenrafferty.com

[@sssleepy422]

That really did not feel like a 2h video... Very interesting and informative presentation

[@abrarrazee4465]

this was a very informative video, thank you for posting it

[@adamreich745]

Excellent lecture. Thank you!

[@mikaelwerner1]

One nice thing with b&w film photography is that hue and saturation actually matters, because different film stock has different sensibility to different wavelenghts of light. But when this lecture was made film photography was declared dead so its ok.

[@edgardomanuel7524]

Very educational! Thank you for sharing.

[@tyeeggleston6159]

Eileen, what an awesome intro into B&W photography. I have really become more into taking B&W pics then ever before, they seem to give the world a whole different look. But I do have a question, what kind of lens(es) do you use or recommend and what are your thoughts on using different color lens filters when taking b&w photos.

[@carlwarrenphoto]

Thank you this is a most enjoyable listen, peace stay safe

[@tombic6373]

Most important photography question I think Eileen asks is: What do you want the eye to see? Most visually compelling part of the video was her presentation of famous B&W photos (in the last third of the video) which underscores her point that B&W photography can achieve things that color photography may not be able to achieve. Very nice.

[@CRMayerCo]

Really good presentation. 👍

[@AlejandroRamos-im4to]

Don't waste 2 hours of your time just to know this lady's conclusion: "colour doesn't matter in Black and White". What a genius!

[@poth3ad141]

best class i have found ❤️

[@jyexe525]

Wow I have learn so much intersting thing, what a teacher !

[@terrywbreedlove]

She talks about pre visualizing black and white as compared to shooting in digital color and then later seeing the image and turning it to black and white. I use my Olympus Pen F in the black and white mode and it is true that I can see what I am shooting in black and white since it is mirrorless camera and I think it does help. I also shoot B&W medium format film every week doing landscapes and you do start to see it after shooting for some time in black and white.

[@lilblingking1491]

That's really cool! I've recently started shooting black and white film and I hope to be able to see what I'm shooting in black and white soon as well

[@tallaganda83]

I actually never knew saturation had no effect. I usually play around with the b&w HSL sliders in camera raw to darken and lighten colours anyway, usually to darken blue skies etc.

[@bcomhaire]

Excellent class!

[@gsogso3444]

thank you.what a great teacher

[@jsavak99]

How does Peter Lindberg get those deep quality black and white colors in BW ?

[@leiqiang525]

系统，很有说服力，非常好的视频，非常好的摄影师

[@wolfharley1]

Thank your for helping me understand. But to soak it in, I will have to re read and think a few time Thanks

[@AndyTychon]

Outstanding. Thank you 👏