B&W Landscape Photography

[Michael_2010]

Back in the days of old, camera bugs went to a great deal of planning and preparation for a Black & White shoot. Selecting the right film for the occasion, choosing a variety of filters for enhancement and patiently waiting for the right light were all a big part of the process. Once the camera had done all it could do to immortalize the moment, the hard work in the dark room began. Does that still hold true in the modern age of digital photography?

Do digital photographers set out with the goal of creating B&W landscapes, or does that choice take place later, while seated in front of a monitor? If it is a planned endeavor, what tools and techniques are put into place beforehand?

Also, how does one make that choice? Many of us that like to chase a sunrise, sunset, or occasional storm, tend to bask in the multitude of colors Mother Nature chooses for her palette at those particular times of day. When does the artistic eye seize control of the moment and opt for the gray tones?

[OsmosisStudios]

It's the same thing as always, just with one less choice (film stock). Everything else remains the same.

As for whether or not you choose to do black and white before or after, I would suggest always choosing before, but having an open mind for all shots in the aftermath. Always be on the lookout for a colour image that may very well do black and white nicely.

As an addendum: Always shoot colour. Always shoot RAW if you can, too. Edit for black and white.

As for when to choose black and white over colour, that's a personal choice. Black and white works best for subjects with textures or changes in tone/light.

[LeeR]

For the most part I agree with Osmo. There are times when you are shooting and you just know that it will look best in B&W and other times when it is not as apparent until see it on the screen. I also agree that it is essential to shoot in color for two reasons: 1) if you decide that an image you thought would look best in B&W would actually look best in color, you have lost that option if you have shot in B&W, 2) there are some truly wonderful tools for manipulating the underlying colors behind a B&W image. It is like we used to do with filters only infinitely more adjustable.

[renegade1]

Hi. You have asked something that i was wondering.

I have a love for Black & White and when i plan a day out to shoot, i go with the aim of shooting in B&W. There have been times when i will do both and i also bracket alot of my shoots. I am in no way a professional in photography but i have done training and have recieved alot of feedback about my eye for a great picture.

I would love to be like the old masters, just go out and take my shots using the light and texture to tell a story. I have Photoshop etc but to be honest, and this is just me personlly, i don't use it as i feel its cheating. I simply prefer to use the camera and settings, and my knowledge of light and contrast to take my shots. Good luck with your work.

[RecurrentNerve]

I always shoot RAW nowadays so the decision to make a shot B&W is most often made when I import the shot, though I usually have an idea of what shot will work well in that format.

While I obviously like to get great results in-camera if I can, I also like to use Photoshop to really add contrast and impact - this is the 21st century after all!



Shameless plug of my recent tutorial on black and white in Photoshop here

[Michael_2010]

Thanks for all the commentary and I will take a look at that tutorial.

In landscape work, do the seasons influence your desire to go B&W?

[RecurrentNerve]

Hmmm, not really. In fact I generally try a black and white version of every shot I like, seeing as I'm processing it out of RAW through Photoshop anyway.

[Michael_2010]

I like the art of B&W, but I tend to put it into categories, such as a winter day or pretty much any man made object. I need to start thinking outside the box I have created and follow your example.

[digirebelva]

[QUOTE=LeeR;1026797]1) if you decide that an image you thought would look best in B&W would actually look best in color, you have lost that option if you have shot in B&W,

Not in raw, found that one out the hard way...raw still keeps the color data (since it is converted in camera) and can be pulled back. I shot a number of images in b&w before i realized it and was able to convert them back to color from the raw very easily

[RecurrentNerve]

RAW is the only way to fly, for sure.