Turfstand Home | Order Turfstand
Outdoor Black and White Photography Lighting
Seasoned photographers and amateurs alike often struggle to find the black and white photography editing style that appropriately shares their vision with their clients. Black and white photography can be dramatic and stunning when it is done well. If you want to master the world of outdoor black and white photography lighting, here are some tips to get you started.
1. Avoid shooting in JPEG.
When it comes to black and white photograph composition, shooting in RAW rather than JPEG is a great way to enhance your final black and white image. Some photographers will not be able to use this method because their camera does not offer the option of shooting in RAW. However, if your camera has a RAW setting, play around with it to see how it affects your outdoor photography.
2. Shoot in color.
If you are stuck shooting in JPEG format, shoot all of your photographs in color and edit them to black and white during the post-production process. Many photography editing programs, including LightRoom and Photoshop, allow for seamless conversion from colored photographs to black and white photographs.
3. Be mindful of your composition.
In color photography, you can use the color of the shot to guide the eye of your viewer. Black and white photography does not have this advantage. Photographers who shoot in black and white need to be especially mindful of their composition. They must use their knowledge of shapes, tone, and texture to play up their image and guide the direction of their shot. Paying close attention to shadows and highlights is important, as well, as these two features are very prominent in black and white photography.
4. Shoot at the right time of day.
If you are a black and white photographer, you should head out and do some shooting on those days when color photographers sit inside and complain about poor lighting. Dark, overcast days are ideal for shooting outdoor black and white photography. Low-contrast lighting will give you stunning and captivating black and white images. If your subject needs a bit of a lighting boost, set up an outdoor light stand to provide the perfect amount of illumination that you need. A Turfstand outdoor light stand is a good option because you can anchor it in the beach, on the side of a hill or on an uneven forest floor. Do not go overboard with the photography light equipment, however. Remember that the dark and dramatic backdrop, shadows and graininess are what make outdoor black and white photography so beautiful.