Ayup! Although I’ve dabbled in colour photography lately, it’s only reignited my excitement for monochrome. So, to keep things fresh, I’ve been relearning the foundations and fundamentals all over again.
Now, I’ve been shooting in black and white for as long as I can remember. Yet, as I go back to basics, it turns out I know nothing. Maybe a slight exaggeration, but what I’m getting at is this: there’s always so much more to learn.
Seeing in black and white is an acquired skill. It takes time to learn how scenes that you are accustomed to viewing in colour translate to black and white.
Tips, Teachings & Inspiration
As you develop your practice and refine your style, it’s important to absorb external knowledge. The more obsessed you become, the better. Make it your thing, and immerse yourself in the available teachings.
When it comes to said available teachings, you’re in luck! There out there in abundance. Hopefully there’s something here for everyone. The content ranges from video to audio to written. Lots of it won’t cost you a penny, either. What a time to be alive!
YouTube
There are a gazzillion YouTube channels covering monochrome photography. These three have been the most helpful to me. I’m pretty sure you’re going to love them too.
- Walk Like Alice – Leica-based, but still so much advice and guidance on black and white photography and editing in general.
- Paul Reid Photography – Also Leica-based, but it goes way deeper with interviews and insights from other monochrome photographers.
- Tatiana Hopper – Not exclusively monochrome, but what a find this was! Tatiana offers detailed analysis on well-known photographers.
For many artists, the appeal of shooting in black and white is, quite simply, that they feel it is more emotive. It doesn’t take an art critic to notice that black and white photos are often more dramatic than their color counterparts. Their dark tones and deep contrasts often instil an almost moody, or mysterious aura onto the work.
Podcasts
Admittedly, not a huge choice when it comes to podcasts. Many have started up and run out of steam. One that absolutely deserves your attention, though, is Monochrome Mastery. It’s a show by Rod Lawton.
There are only nine episodes so far, but each one offers concise, relevant tips on a specific area of black and white photography.
Reading
I don’t have any big, expensive photography books, so I won’t cover anything like that here. That said, they’re also widely available. I hope to start adding a few to the bookshelf, but for now, a couple of equally inspirational options.
- Still by Paul Sanders – I’ve mentioned this one a few times on the blog. It’s not directly going to teach you anything about the technical aspects of shooting monochrome. What it does, however, is join the dots between photography (mostly black and white) and mindfulness. A key connection for me personally.
- Black + White Photography Magazine – The only magazine I purchase religiously every month. Filled to the brim with tips, advice and inspiration. You can even submit your own work for a chance to be featured. It’s available in print, which is always a welcome break from staring at a glowing screen.
The world of black and white images is much deeper than it appears at first glance. Such a photograph is not just a capture of a moment, but a representation of a story, emotion, and thought.
Lifelong Learning
Ongoing self-education is essential in photography. It not only helps you improve your skills, but it keeps things fresh and interesting. No matter how much you know (or think you know), there’s always more to learn. Different techniques, styles and mindsets.
Everyone has their own way of doing things. The more you can tap into other photographers’ approaches, the more you can tweak and refine your own. Inspiration is everywhere. Shared knowledge is everywhere.