Colors in Black and White!

As a photographer and a documentary filmmaker, we all develop a unique style and likeness with time. Time does play a big game!

With every second on my side, I have felt the love towards the amalgam of layers in black and white. These two colors are timeless and universal. They give more life to my characters and highlight the sharpness of the soul.

I remember my last session, where almost 30% of the group didn't agree to the beauty of these two colors, where they took it more like a limitation then an opportunity. Well, not every photograph can come out best in monochromes but the biased me fights a lot on that too. Art is subjective anyways!

Tips to get the best B&W photographs (The question asked by many)

• Play with contrast

Lights and shadows do the talking. (The classic black and white movies can give you the feel of the character and tonality of script with the help of just lights and shadows. There are various movies like Persona, Letter Never Sent, Out of the Past, Concrete Night, Psycho etc.

• Mind the Textures, Shapes and Patterns

Playing with interesting curves, curious shapes and great texture adds amazing extension to your image. A black and white approach does justice to your textures and patterns and play in creating a better and dramatic output. Your relationship with these two colors can give you a whole new platform to experience the depth and connection with the subject.

• Along with long exposure

If moving water or cloud catches your subject in the aesthetics which you are fancy about then that's your moment to travel with the long exposure mode. Black and white photography can give your eyes a wonderful master piece to look at. The masterpiece which is created by you.

• Dodging and Burning are the oldest rule of the game

The ones who have played in the Dark room (just talking about the workshop used by photographers) can understand the feel and the need better. It is a technique that comes from the traditional darkroom and is usually used to burn in or darken highlights and hold back the brighten shadows. Though the software today have taken it to another level. So, to give a sense of greater sharpness and enhancing texture you can now easily use the Dodge and Burn tool in the Photoshop.

And, reading this article may not help you but exploring your frames with the essence of your colors will.

Do write back with your photographs. Would love to be a part.