photography ideas black and white

The leading authority in photography and camera gear.

Become a better photographer.

12.9 Million

Annual Readers

Newsletter Subscribers

Featured Photographers

Photography Guides & Gear Reviews

Black and White Photography Tips, Styles and Examples

Discover everything there is to know about black and white photography, including 5 tips to creating powerful B&W images both in-camera and via software.

Learn | Photography Guides | By Andy Day

Learning how to shoot and edit black and white photography is an essential skill for photographers.

A black and white photo is a monochrome photo – i.e. an image which has had all color removed. This can be via digital editing, the selection of film, or by using a specific camera.

Black and white photography uses different tones of grey, ranging from white to black.

By removing the distraction of color, B&W photos are simplified which can result in something more powerful and compelling.

Great black and white photography tells a story, highlights a subject and reveals true human emotions.

In this guide, we’ll answer all the main questions on the topic, as well as include some examples of black and white portrait photography , landscape photography and street photography for your inspiration.

Let’s dive in and learn more about this classic medium.

Table of Contents

What do you Need for Black and White Photography?

Leica Monochrom and other gear of Phil Penman

Equipment for black and white photography is not that different to color photography.

It doesn’t have to be specialist (unless you want it to be!) and even a basic setup using minimal gear will be enough to get you started.

The obvious place to start! Pretty much any camera will do as the vast majority of black and white images are captured in color and converted to black and white during the editing process (more on this below).

A film camera or even your smartphone will do an excellent job.

Like smartphones, some DSLR and mirrorless cameras will allow you to shoot in black and white as you take your photographs.

However, if you’re shooting JPEGs as opposed to Raw files, this does bring some disadvantages.

By choosing to shoot black and white at the moment of pushing the shutter button, you cannot change your mind later on. On the other hand, you can always convert color images to black and white.

Raw files contain far more color information than JPEGs so regardless of whether you set your camera to shoot in black and white or color, the Raw file will give you much more flexibility when you come to edit your photos.

You will be able to change the color temperature and tint, and you will also be able to retrieve more information from the darkest shadows and brightest highlights.

Since there is more color information in a Raw file, you will have more control over the different tones in your photo when you come to convert it to black and white.

If you tell your camera to photograph in black and white but you’re shooting Raw files, you will find that those Raw files are actually color photos when you come to edit them later.

(It’s just the JPEG preview created inside the camera that’s black and white.)

You might then think that telling your camera to shoot in black and white while capturing Raw files is pointless, but some photographers find it useful to see these black and white previews while they are shooting to give them an idea of what’s possible when editing, and help them to think and see in monochrome or greyscale .

There are a couple of (expensive!) digital cameras available to purchase that are built specifically to capture black and white images and depending on the model, you could even have your camera converted to shoot only black and white.

How Much Do You REALLY Know About Photography?! 🤔

Test your photography knowledge with this quick quiz!

See how much you really know about photography...

Your answer:

Correct answer:

SHARE YOUR RESULTS

Your Answers

This requires a complex process that involves removing a wafer-thin filter from in front of the sensor.

Black and white cameras tend to create photographs that are slightly sharper and can sometimes capture more tonal information. However, only an experienced photographer will be able to tell the difference!

• 93 Captions & Quotes About Black and White Photography

2. Editing Software

If you shoot in color, you can convert your images to black and white using photo editing software. (If you decide to shoot in Raw, it’s worth checking in advance that your software is able to edit the files.)

There is a wealth of options available, ranging from free software such as RawTherapee and Darktable, to powerful, paid packages such as Lightroom and Luminar .

Whatever you choose, the software will have the option to convert a photo to black and white.

Many apps give you a specific set of controls over the different colors in the original image that can be tweaked to create different tones in the final black and white photo.

There’s very little software specifically designed for creating black and white photography from color files, but Silver Efex Pro 2 — part of the NIK Collection ( review ) — comes close and gives you a lot of control.

3. B&W Film

Black and white film has a rich tradition reaching back to photography’s origins. Of course, you can shoot color film, scan it, and convert it to black and white, but you’d be missing out on film stocks that were created specifically for the purpose.

Plus, black and white film is easier to process at home, requiring fewer chemicals and a far simpler process.

Examples of popular 35mm black and white film stocks include Ilford Hp5, Ilford Delta 3200, Kodak P3200 TMAC and Fuji Neopan ACROS 100.

Colored filters that attach to the front of your lens can affect how colors are perceived by black and white film.

They are less useful when shooting digitally as similar effects can often be achieved during editing, and once added, the effects of a filter cannot be removed.

When Should you Shoot Black and White Photos?

Many famous black and white photographers find themselves shooting black and white photography as a deliberate choice, even if what they capture at the time is in color.

There are various reasons to make this decision – here are a few.

1. When you want to create distance between your photo and reality

Black and white photography has a certain impact that is different to color photography.

One reason for this is that it has such a long heritage, prompting most people to associate black and white photography with imagery that is of historical importance, or perhaps with a photojournalistic edge.

Another significant factor is that instead of presenting us with a hyper-real representation of reality, black and white photography creates an additional layer of unreality, drawing more attention to the process of photography itself as a medium and all of the complexities that come with it.

Black and white photography puts a bit of extra distance between us and what is being portrayed, often allowing us to be more reflective and thoughtful in our understanding of what an image is trying to convey.

A photograph already reduces a scene to its visual form, and black and white pushes this even further by stripping away color and, some would argue, making a representation that is even purer.

Shooting in black and white is particularly popular for street photography for this very reason.

2. When there’s a distracting color

While we love to capture beautiful light and striking colors, this isn’t always possible, and sometimes color can be a distraction, taking focus away from our subject.

Shooting in black and white avoids this, as it gives a greater sense of unity to the entire image.

All of the tones work together within the frame with black and white photography, rather than one part of the photo screaming for attention because its color is out of place.

The colors you encounter as a photographer are not always complementary and shifting to black and white can be an opportunity to use varying shades that work with one another instead.

3. When shooting at very high ISOs

Shooting at very high ISO settings can introduce a lot of digital noise into your images and this can sometimes do strange things.

Often, high ISO images have slightly odd colors that can feel muddy or just slightly wrong. In addition, you might get some random pixels that are simply the wrong color where the camera’s sensor has simply become confused.

Converting a high ISO image to black and white can get rid of these problems and can also make an image look grainy rather than noisy.

Grain is associated with film photography when shooting in dark conditions, and it can give an image a vintage look and feel.

Converting to black and white and tapping into this vintage aesthetic can be quite forgiving when your image quality is suffering as a result of there not being enough light.

4. When texture is more important than color

If a photograph is a combination of beautiful textures , perhaps emphasised by the play of light falling across them, colors can actually be a distraction.

Converting to black and white gives you the opportunity to embrace those textures and make them a prominent feature within a photo.

Taking away the color brings them to the fore and gives the viewer a more visceral experience of an image.

5. When geometry is more important than color

Photographs that are compositionally strong often feature striking geometric shapes that sit in balance with one another.

Sometimes, color can disrupt these geometric shapes, undermining their purity, and weakening how well a photo comes together.

The human eye tends to enjoy minimalism and simplicity. Removing color and all of its complexities can reduce images to their composite parts, creating simpler, more satisfying photographs.

With street photography where there’s often a lot of visual distraction, this technique can be particularly helpful.

5 Tips for Great Black and White Photography

How do you take black and white photographs? What makes good black and white photography?

Here are 5 tips to make your next monochrome photo really reach out to the viewer and pull them in.

1. Shoot with black and white in mind

© Marco Chilese

With experience, you’ll come to learn when what you are photographing is going to work best in black and white.

Good photographers are often able to switch into a monochrome mindset, almost converting what they see into black and white before even raising the camera to their eye.

If you’re still building up that experience, try shooting deliberately in the knowledge that the resulting images are going to be in black and white.

Try switching your camera to shooting to black and white so that the images that you see on the back of your camera (and in your EVF if you’re using a mirrorless camera) are already converted.

If you’re shooting Raw, you are still capturing all of the color information; it’s just that what you see while you’re photographing will be in black and white.

Some images simply work better in black and white, but remember that making a photo black and white doesn’t automatically turn it from a bad photo into a good one.

The best black and white photography is black and white for a reason, and finding good reasons to shoot in black and white is about practice and experience.

2. Understand shadow

© Fernando Rodrigues

All photography is conveying the balance between light and dark, but this interplay works slightly differently when color is stripped away.

Shadows can carry much more weight within black and white images, creating their own geometric shapes as they clump together and become closer to complete darkness.

These shadows are what help to give an image its structure, almost like mortar binding the areas of brightness to one another and giving them their shape.

In your composition, it might seem secondary, but shadow is what brings all of the parts of your image together.

3. Understand contrast

© Luca Bravo

Contrast isn’t just about how bright the brightest part of an image is in comparison to the darkness; it’s about how these extremes are juxtaposed – juxtaposition is a commonly used photography technique with B&W, since obviously they are directly opposing colours.

If there’s a gradual shift from one to the other, the image can feel calm, even if that transition is from complete black to complete white.

However, if those two contrasting tones are directly placed against one another, there’s a greater sense of energy and drama within an image. The more that they are in direct contrast with each other, the more intense a photograph can feel.

In color photography, the eye is often drawn to the brightest part of an image; in black and white photography, it’s often drawn to the part of the image that has the strongest contrast.

Contrast is largely determined by how a scene is lit and how you choose to expose your photographs, but this can then be drawn out or dialled back during the editing stage.

The best black and white photography matches the contrast to the content of an image, allowing them to communicate together.

4. Understand tonality

Sebastian Unrau

Connected to contrast is tonality, which describes the gradual shift from one shade to another.

It can be useful to think of a black and white photograph as being made up of varying shades of grey which may occasionally become absolute black or absolute white.

Black and white photography doesn’t necessarily have to have every shade of grey from black to white, and with this in mind, it’s important to note that tonality has a large bearing on the mood of a photo.

If it is mostly dark, it can give a sombre or ominous feel, while a brighter tonality can give a feeling of lightness and ethereality.

Images can even be mostly grey, but without any real contrast, grey images can easily feel dull and not very engaging.

5. Think about emotion

© Alex Motoc

Black and white photography is sometimes thought of as a means of getting closer to the essence of a subject rather than just capturing what is on the surface.

The absence of color somehow allows photos to speak to us on a more emotional level, and your choices as the photographer — both in capturing the moment and in the editing process — will have a bearing on how this emotional connection is conveyed.

Imagine the image above as its color version – subjects could appear banal; colors may grab your attention in the wrong order; textures may be missed.

However, in converting it to black and white, it’s elevated to something mysterious – our emotions are piqued.

How to Make B&W Images using Photo Editing Software

Converting an image into black and white is not as simple as removing all of the colour information. The best software will use post-processing techniques that allow you to draw on the colour information to make subtle changes to the tonality.

You can also “dodge” (make lighter) and “burn” (make darker) parts of your image — terms that come from analog processes for creating black and white prints – see guide .

Pretty much all editing software will create black and white images, but we’ve chosen to show three of the best.

Lightroom and Photoshop requires a subscription to Adobe. We’ve also included Luminar since it might be a better option as it can be bought outright from here .

• In the Basic panel, select Black & White (at the top, next to Treatment)
• Make basic adjustments by using the sliders listed under Tone: Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, etc
• Refine contrast further using the Tone Curve. Try a very gentle S curve to create more contrast
• Under B&W, adjust the various sliders to shift the tonality of the image according to its original colors
• Under Color Grading, add subtle tones to the highlights and shadows

There are various methods for editing black and white photography using Photoshop. One option is to open the image using Adobe Camera Raw (go to Filter, Camera Raw Filter) and follow the same steps as described for Lightroom above.

Alternatively:

• Go to Layer, New Adjustment Layer, Black and White
• Adjust the sliders to shift the tones of the original colors
• Go to Layer, New Adjustment Layer, Curves, and hit OK
• Add points by clicking on the diagonal line across the graph and dragging them gently to change the contrast
• Create a subtle S curve to add more contrast
• From the Filters panel, go to Workspace and choose B&W
• Adjust the Exposure and Contrast
• Make further changes to the Highlights/Shadows and Whites/Blacks sliders
• Underneath B&W Conversion, click on Advanced to gain access to filters and color sliders

Famous Black and White Photography Quotes

Much has been said about black and white photography over the years. Here are some of the top black and white photography quotes for your inspiration:

• “Black and white photography erases time from the equation.” – Jason Peterson
• “Black and white photography is truly quite a departure from reality.” – Ansel Adams
• “To see in color is a delight for the eye but to see in black and white is a delight for the soul.” – Andri Cauldwell
• “What I love about black and white photographs is that they’re more like reading the book than seeing the movie.” – Jennifer Price
• “Color is descriptive, black and white is interpretive.” – Eliott Erwitt
• “I’ve been forty years discovering that the queen of all colors is black.” – Henri Mattise
• “Everything always looked better in black and white. Everything always looked as if it were the first time; there’s always more people in a black and white photograph. It just makes it seem that there were more people at a gig, more people at a football match, than with color photography. Everything looks more exciting.” – Jack Lowden
• “While the absence of color may contribute to our appreciation, at the same time it is important to assert that black and white is not photography minus color. Not at all. It’s much more subtle than turning down the color saturation on your television.” – John Beardsworth

For more inspirational photography quotes, click here .

Black and White Photography FAQs

What is the difference between monochrome and black and white?

Very often the terms monochrome and black and white photography are interchangeable, but there is a subtle difference.

Black and white photography has absolutely no colour whereas a monochrome image can have one color of varying shades. An example might be cyanotype – a photographic printing process that creates images made entirely of different shades of blue.

What is the difference between sepia and black and white?

Sepia toning describes the process of adding a hint of color — traditionally brown — to a black and white photograph.

In the past, sepia was added to the black and white photography printing process to help prevent the final print from fading over time.

What color looks best in black and white?

This is very much subjective and how a color appears in black and white will depend mostly on the amount of light falling on it. Colors on the opposite side of the color wheel can look identical!

What photos are best in black and white?

Portraits, street photography, landscapes, abstracts and architecture can all work great as black and white images. The choice to create black and white photography over color should be intentional depending on the subject matter and other variables such as light, texture, contrast, and tonality.

Are black and white photos more flattering?

When shooting portraits, black and white photography can be more flattering as it can help to hide imperfections in people’s skin. It can also tap into a timeless aesthetic that might give a person a refined, classic appearance.

What should you wear to a black and white photoshoot?

As a general rule, try not to create a strong contrast between your skin tone and your clothing. You might also want to check where you will be photographed as you don’t want to blend into the background!

You may want to avoid strong patterns as this contrast might draw attention away from you as a subject.

If in doubt, speak to your photographer!

Final Words

Black and white photography might seem limiting at first but there’s a huge amount to explore and the process can be incredibly satisfying.

Removing the color from a scene reveals new opportunities to play with light, tonality and contrast, and suddenly shadows become an integral part of how a photo holds together.

Free of the distractions of color, black and white photography becomes a study of light, shape, and textures.

Hopefully, this article has inspired you to begin your journey into black and white photography. If you have any thoughts or questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch via the comments below.

Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.

Includes limited-time discounts.

You'll Also Like These:

Andy Day is a British photographer and writing, living and working in France, specialising in adventure, travel, architectural and landscape photography.

Definitely try switching your (mirrorless) camera to black and white if you’ve not done so already. It’s a new way of shooting..!

This is a fabulous guide – especially for someone just getting into this photography medium. Stimulating, practical and exciting.

Thanks Michael, glad you like it. I really enjoyed writing it. 😊 And it’s inspired me to go back to shooting more black and white photos!

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

👋 WELCOME TO SHOTKIT!

🔥 Popular NOW:

Unlock the EXACT blueprint to capture breathtaking iPhone photos!

Shotkit may earn a commission on affiliate links. Learn more.

TECHNIQUES & GEAR

25 Examples of Black and White Photography That You’ll Fall in Love With

• Judit Ruiz Ricart
• Apr 16, 2019

The first color photograph dates back to 1861, but it wasn’t until the 1970s when it became the primary form of photography. Many assumed that once color photography was available to everyone, black and white photography would be relegated to niche genres or even forgotten all together. But much like film, monochromatic images are more alive than ever before. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to find a photography website that doesn’t include at least one black and white picture.

We could write a whole article with the reasons why black and white photography survived the passage of time and we’d still forget some. The most important, and evident, of them is the fact that we don’t see the world in black and white. Because of this, shooting monochromatic photos offers a whole different perspective of our surroundings.

Numerous photographers believe everyone should shoot black and white photos every so often. They concur that the lack of color pushes us to pay more attention to light, contrast, texture, and composition. And as such, it can help us improve our photography skills significantly. Still not convinced to give monochromatic images a try? These 25 outstanding black and white photography examples will surely make you fall in love with this technique.

Walking among giants

The incredible way in which Lin Na captured a sole figure standing in the mist among baobabs makes this one of the most beautiful landscape photos we’ve seen in a long time.

Don't forget to look up

Next time you are wandering around the streets of your city, raise your head towards the sky every so often. This shot by Ana is proof of the kind of views you’ve been missing out on all this time.

The world’s best submarine

Wildlife photography never ceases to amaze us. This amazing picture by Heidi Crundwell shows just how much elephants like water, and how they keep their trunks dry to breathe while they swim.

Is this the real life?

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Kary really did photograph someone levitating. This image is a perfect example of how black and white photography can be the perfect match for your creative photography ideas .

Modern stairway to heaven

Ismail Kassem put his unique imagination to work on urban photography to capture an image that will make you double check what you’re really looking at.

Counting sheep

One of the keys of storytelling in photography is becoming part of the scene you’re capturing. This beautiful black and white photography example by Biagina shows just how important this is.

Eyes are the window to the soul

Travel photography is not just amazing landscapes and food. As Joachim Bergauer ’s portrait demonstrates, native habitants can also be an incredible subject.

The limit does not exist

Next time someone casually mentions one of those popular photography myths that claims you cannot take good pictures with less than optimal weather, show them this shot by Martin Olson .

Hear me roar

This wildlife portrait captured by Stew Nolan is the perfect example of how black and white photography can make anything look epic - even a sleepy yawn.

One with nature

To shoot images as beautiful as Louise Whitehouse ’s work, you’ll first need to master all essential photography composition rules .

The subtle art of people watching

When you think about black and white street portraiture , you probably imagine a low-key close-up, right? Toshihiro Yashiro ’s portfolio shows that the possibilities of this genre are limitless.

Light in the shadows

Knowing how light works and affects your images is an absolute must. This image by Ivan Proskurin is the clear example of the impact that controlling light can have in portrait photography .

Mysteries and marvels of nature

This shot of Antelope Canyon taken by Mattia Bianco perfectly demonstrates how you don’t need color to capture the essence of one of the most beautiful places in America .

Twenty-first century society

By getting rid of all color distractions and focusing on light and contrast, Jan Daga was able to shoot a casual portrait that perfectly captures what society has become.

Simplicity is key

Understanding balance in photography will enable you to capture outstanding minimalist pictures, such as this black and white landscape photography example by Simone Cmoon .

Challenge your vision

Pet photography doesn’t just include dogs and cats. Underlook gives the genre a full 180-degree turn by capturing a broader range of animals from an unusual perspective.

The bright side of commuting

Catching a train is usually a pain in the neck. Crowds, delays, bad weather, overall exhaustion... The next time you find yourself in one of these situations, use some of your waiting time and follow Céline Marie ’s steps to take the opportunity to put your photography skills into practice.

Love is all you need

Learning how to plan and execute a successful photoshoot will allow you to connect with your clients and capture images as beautiful and genuine as this moment forever frozen in time by Coco Gonser .

Compassion goes a long way

Photography is an incredibly powerful tool to raise awareness about welfare, environmental, and social issues. This heartbreaking shot by Christel Mitchell is the epitome of how an image is worth a thousand words.

It comes and goes in waves

One of the less-known, but still amazing capabilities of black and white photography is how well they complement different media forms. Julien Delaval used this photo as his photography website’s home page , and it perfectly shows the endless possibilities of combining photography and web design.

The vitruvian athlete

This incredibly beautiful portrait of an athlete captured by Tobias Purgand conveys of how black and white photography adds an artistic value to any genre, even sport photography .

Build bridges, not walls

Moody landscapes are one of the largest photography trends . The powerful look of Nelson Bolinhas ’ perfectly timed shot might just convince you to give this editing technique a try.

Find your focus

The simplicity and masterful use of light of this beautiful nature photo taken by Nick Bartrum will leave you speechless.

You never know, dear, how much I love you

When searching for family portrait ideas , black and white photography might not even cross your mind. But a single look at this heartwarming image captured by Donatella Nicolini will most likely result in a change of heart for you.

Undisturbed calmness

Harald Wittig ’s use of black and white in this urban scene, paired with the lack of people and movement, feels like a breath of fresh air in a time where everyone seems to be running from one place to another.

Ready to give black and white images a try? Create a photography website and share the results with the world!

Related Posts

The Most Beautiful Landscape Photos

30 Best Photography Instagram Accounts to Follow in 2024

Put Yourself in the Spotlight with These Self Portrait Ideas

Was this article helpful?

Capture Inspiration, Monetize Talent, Achieve Victory!

Black and White Photography: 10 Styles And Tips Featuring 3 Notable Photographers

The Art of Black and White Photography

Black and White Photography! Yes, here’s your passport to a world where simplicity meets depth, where the absence of color amplifies emotion. This guide is your key to mastering the art, curated with insights from seasoned photographers and packed with invaluable tips to capture the essence of monochrome imagery.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, get ready to unlock the secrets behind creating striking black-and-white photographs. Explore a curated selection of visuals that breathe life into the art of Black and White Photography.

We are here to help you hone your skills through our comprehensive guide, covering essential techniques and artistic approaches, spanning an impressive array of 58 Photography Types , setting you on the path to mastery.

And here’s the exciting part, ever dreamed of showcasing your newfound expertise? Participate in our Ongoing Competitions , a stage to flaunt your talent and skill through creative exploration! ????✨

2. Sebastião Salgado

Sebastião Salgado’s black-and-white photography catches the soul of humanity in exquisite monochrome, revealing poignant narratives within every frame, where light and shadow dance in profound harmony. His lens unveils a world of raw emotion and stark beauty, etching indelible stories through the striking contrasts of black and white. Work Gallery

Herbert List’s black-and-white photography dances between light and shadow, capturing timeless elegance in every frame, revealing the poetry within monochrome moments. His mastery unveils a world where contrasts shape emotions and narratives, creating visual symphonies that transcend time. Work Gallery

5   Captivating Black and White Photography Styles

5 Essential Tips for Enchanting Black and White Shots

1. contrast mastery.

Black and White   Photography: Top Takeaways

Black and white photography offers an entrancing path into timeless artistry, providing a canvas where light, shadow, and emotions intertwine. Remember, mastering this style involves understanding contrasts, and textures, and the ability to envision scenes without the distraction of color.

As you explore this wonderful art form, keep experimenting with different techniques and compositions. Study the interplay of light and shadow, seek out textures that add depth, and envision scenes in monochrome to truly encapsulate the essence of your subjects.

Join us in our Ongoing Competitions and submerge yourself in the thrill of creative exploration. Showcase your talent, learn from fellow enthusiasts, and celebrate the art of black and white photography with us. Let’s continue to redefine perspectives and freeze moments that resonate eternally through the thrilling lens of monochrome imagery.

The KEY Ingredient for Perfect Black & White Photos

The Secret to Black and White Photography Success

Black and White Photography: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started

A Post By: Andrew S. Gibson

If you’ve never tried black and white photography before, you may feel a bit intimidated. After all, how do you get started? Should you be shooting black and white on your camera, or should you be converting color images to black and white? And how can you create stunning black and white images, anyway?

In this article, I aim to answer all those questions. I’ll explain the value of black and white, how to do it, plus I’ll share some tips along the way!

Why is black and white photography important?

In the photographic world, black and white is an art form of its own. Some would even say the best photographers work in monochrome. It’s a medium with a rich history; look at the work of Ansel Adams , Edward Weston , or Henri Cartier-Bresson for some truly stunning examples.

Just as importantly, working in black and white can help you become a better photographer. 

It’s all about seeing .

Color is very powerful. It tends to dominate photos – to the point that beginners struggle to see other key elements like contrast , texture , shape, form , and quality of light .

Experienced photographers instinctively see these things, regardless of whether they work in color or black and white. But if you’re just starting out, you may need some assistance. Black and white strips away color, allowing you to focus on the other elements that matter.

Naturally, there are certain subjects that tend to work better than others in black and white. In particular, black and white lends itself to landscapes and portraits .

So if this is your first time shooting in black and white, then those are great starter subjects!

How to shoot in black and white

Before digital photography, the only way to work in black and white was to use black and white film.

But these days, you have two options:

• You can shoot in color and convert your photos to black and white in Lightroom , Photoshop , or some other post-processing program.
• You can switch your camera to its Monochrome mode.

I highly recommend you choose the second option, and here’s why:

By shooting in black and white from the beginning, you’ll get black and white previews on your camera’s LCD. You’ll also be able to see in black and white via your camera’s Live View mode. And if you use a mirrorless camera, you can look through a black and white viewfinder – so you know exactly how the different colors will convert before you press the shutter button .

(If you’re not sure how to switch your camera to black and white, check your camera’s manual. Don’t worry; it’s not difficult!)

One last piece of advice here:

Shoot in RAW , not JPEG (or shoot in RAW+JPEG, which will give you a file in each format every time you press the shutter button).

RAW essentially offers you insurance. If you decide you don’t like your shot in black and white, your RAW files can be reverted back to color with the click of a mouse. And if you decide to extensively edit your photos in post-processing, RAW gives you a lot of flexibility.

However, if you’re new to photography, I recognize that you may want to work exclusively in JPEG, and that’s okay. Just know that you’ll probably want to switch to RAW eventually (it’ll deliver better image quality in the long run).

Working in Monochrome mode

As explained above, I highly recommend you set your camera to Monochrome mode. And to get basic black and white shots, that’s all you need to do.

However, once you’re in Monochrome mode, you may have color filter options. And through careful application of these filters, you can capture even better black and white shots.

Color filters

The color filter settings come from the days of film photography. Photographers would use color filters to alter the tones in black and white photos. These days, digital photographers rarely work with physical color filters – instead, they use camera software or post-processing to mimic filter effects.

Your camera likely includes a few color filter options. For instance, you might use a yellow or orange filter to darken a blue sky or a red filter to turn it nearly black.

Here’s a shot before adding a color filter:

And here’s the shot after applying a red filter:

There is also a place for green filters, which can bring out more detail in green subjects like leafy forests.

Those four colored filters (red, orange, yellow, and green) have made their way onto most digital cameras as black and white settings.

Quick tip: Don’t forget about contrast!

If you take a photo in dull light – in shade, for instance, or under a cloudy sky – the photo may look flat (i.e., two-dimensional), especially in black and white.

So what do you do?

You compensate by increasing the contrast . A contrast boost will deepen the shadows, brighten the highlights, and make your main subject pop!

Here’s a portrait without a contrast adjustment:

And here’s the same portrait, but with a contrast boost:

To my eye, the final (adjusted) result is much more powerful.

You can increase the contrast after the photo has been taken (in Photoshop or Lightroom), or you can do it in-camera by adjusting the contrast setting (see your manual if you’re not sure how to do this!).

Composing in black and white

Remember how I said black and white forces you to think about other key elements, such as shape and form?

It’s true. And it’s the reason why composition becomes so important when shooting in black and white.

Unfortunately, there’s not really a quick solution to capturing good compositions; a lot of it just depends on your ability to see shapes, lines, and textures (which you can develop through practice or study or simply by looking at great photography).

However, there is one item that can improve your black and white compositions:

The aspect ratio .

You see, certain aspect ratios (such as the 1:1, or square format) make composition easier. Whereas other aspect ratios (such as most cameras’ native 3:2 ratio) make composition tricky.

So after you’ve set your camera to Monochrome mode, I recommend heading into the settings and changing the aspect ratio to Square . It’ll improve the way you frame scenes (and if your camera has an electronic viewfinder, it’ll let you see the new aspect ratio in real-time!).

Toning in black and white

Toning is the process of adding color to your images, but only after they’ve been converted to black and white.

This can give very cool effects – for instance, it can turn your shots yellow or purple or red.

Now, your camera may allow you to tone your photos when you take them. But the effect is usually very heavy-handed, which is why I recommend you avoid in-camera toning.

Instead, test out toning in post-processing. You can have lots of fun applying a single tone to your images (such as a nice sepia ). And if you want to get really creative, you can add multiple tones, an effect called split toning .

Black and white photography: final words

Black and white is a beautiful medium to work in, one that you will appreciate even more as your skills grow.

In the meantime, have fun and enjoy yourself. You are following a path trodden by some of the most famous names in photography!

Now over to you:

Have you tried shooting in black and white before? How did it go? Do you have any favorite black and white subjects? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Read more from our Tips & Tutorials category

is a writer, photographer, traveler and workshop leader. He’s an experienced teacher who enjoys helping people learn about photography and Lightroom. Join his free Introducing Lightroom course or download his free Composition PhotoTips Cards !

• Guaranteed for 2 full months
• Pay by PayPal or Credit Card
• Instant Digital Download

• All our best articles for the week
• Fun photographic challenges
• Special offers and discounts

• Online Courses

Black & White Photography: A Beginner’s Guide

Posted by David Kindervater Comments 0

There’s something especially appealing about great black and white photography. It has a timeless quality to it. A black and white image can be striking, engaging, breathtaking, and definitely moody. So what can you do to visualize and create stunning black and white images? The fundamentals of photography will get you so far, but there are some additional techniques which will help you achieve outstanding black and white results quickly. In this quick-start beginner’s guide, you’ll discover ways you can start making great black and white photos today.

Focus On Composition

Black and white photography removes any distraction of color and helps the viewer focus on other aspects of the photo, such as the subject, the textures, shapes and patterns, and the composition. So, you can use all the same composition techniques – like the rule of thirds – that you’d use in color photography.

Look For Contrast

As you’re shooting, think in terms of contrast — the difference between the light and dark tones in the scene. Contrast can be found in many places, so let’s look at some of these.

See The Shadows, Patterns, Textures, & Lines

One of the most important things you can do in your quest for great black and white images is to train your eye to look for shadows, patterns, textures, and lines. As a photographer, you should be looking for these things anyway, but it’s especially important in black and white photography.

For example, with shadows, look for solid blacks as subjects, set against a light background. It could be a person, a tree, or a building casting an image on the ground or elsewhere.

Have you ever been outside in the early morning or late afternoon when the shadows are particularly long? It’s known as the “Golden Hour”, and it’s a great time to look for interesting shadows which can form the basis of a great black and white photo.

Then there are patterns and textures. A colorless photo doesn’t mean it has to be bland. Look for interesting textures like a brick wall or a dirt road. Check out the lines and repeating patterns in architecture.

Look for textures in an old wooden door, the bark on a tree, or fabric textiles.

Shoot In Color, Convert To Black & White

By shooting in color (the default setting on your camera), you can maintain all the original, natural colors of the shot. So you’ll have the original, color version, then you can convert it to black and white during the editing process. Shooting in color gives you options you wouldn’t have if you started in black and white mode.

If it sounds like a lot of extra work, it really isn’t. Chances are, you’re going to be doing some editing to your images after you take them anyway. Depending upon what software you use, converting to black and white is as easy as one click in most cases.

I shot the portrait of rock singer Lacey Sturm, pictured below, in color first.

Then I converted the final image to black and white by simply using one of my favorite filter presets.

I felt black and white matched the mood much better, giving the images more of a raw, rock ‘n’ roll vibe.

Shoot In Black & White Mode

Many cameras have a monochromatic or black and white setting you can use to get a proper preview of what you’re shooting. Consider shooting in RAW mode to capture the best image quality. That way, none of the photograph’s information is compressed — and lost forever — as it is with JPEG.

On my Sony a6000 camera, there’s a Creative Style option that allows me to shoot in black and white. Look for the setting on your camera that allows you to view and shoot in black and white.

Train Your Eyes To See In Black & White

Once you train your eyes to see in black and white, your black and white photography will improve greatly. Look at your subject in terms of the qualities we explored above: shadows, patterns, textures, and lines. This will make it easier for you to identify situations which are ripe for black and white photography.

Embrace The Gray Days

Winter is a great time to take black and white images. With winter photography, particularly on an overcast day, there might not seem to be much difference from your original, color image. Gray skies, barren trees, and white snow covering the ground – you’re already 90% of the way to having a black and white photo!

There’s a certain bleakness to winter. The season can provide a “colorless” quality that will inspire you to create black and white or monochromatic images. After all, on a cloudy day, most of the work regarding color has been decided for you.

Training your eye to see in black and white is a lot easier when you’re actually seeing things in black and white – or close to it.

Street Photography

While black and white photography can be applied in any setting, it’s especially effective with street photography.

Street photography involves capturing the human condition in public places. Naturally, the “human condition” can be defined in a variety of ways, but black and white images seem to capture the vibe of the streets and the people that occupy it.

Set your sights on capturing the emotion of the moment and telling the story of what you see — with a single black and white photograph.

Editing Your Black & White Images

Whether you shoot in black and white, or convert to black and white afterward, there are a few things you can do to make your black and white images even better using your favorite photo editing software.

Increase This, Decrease That

By increasing the contrast and reducing the brightness, you further enhance the differences in an image’s light and dark tones.

You can also reduce the contrast and fade the shadows, providing an underexposed look. Or how about adding some grain for a more authentic film look?

There are many different ways you can edit your images to convey the look and feel you desire. Try to keep it as simple as possible. Find what works best for your shooting situation — landscape, street, portrait, etc. — and continue to experiment to find what works best.

There’s An App For That

If you like editing with your mobile phone, there are plenty of apps you can use to achieve black and white success — some that are designed specifically with black and white in mind. Some apps give you a lot of control. Not only can you straighten and crop an image, you can also adjust the highlights, mid-tones, shadows, and much more.

Black And White Photography: Conclusion

Black and white photography is a timeless art form you can learn, practice, and become passionate about very quickly.

Start with the fundamentals of composition, like the rule of thirds, and you’ll be well on your way to taking great black and white photos.

Look for contrast and train your eye to see the shadows, patterns, textures, and lines all around you.

Shoot in color and convert to black and white during the editing process. Or, if your camera can shoot in black and white, use this feature to help you preview the shot in black and white. This will also help you train your eyes to see monochromatically.

When the days are gray, especially during those dreary winter months, take advantage of the opportunity to capture your colorless surroundings. Black and white images can also be especially effective if you’re interested in street photography. Capture the emotions and moments that tell a story with a single photograph.

When you’re ready to edit your images, choose your favorite software or photo-editing app and apply some subtle adjustments that will make your pictures their very best. Use your favorite filter, adjust the brightness and contrast, or add some fade or grain.

Join 121,487 Subscribers Who Receive Free Photography Pro Email Tips

50 Examples of Great Black and White Photography

• Jaspal Singh
• February 27, 2014

We’ve decided to highlight a different kind of inspiration in this post by gathering outstanding examples of black and white photography. Sometimes, it’s a wonderful idea to keep color aside and concentrate on black and white photos. In the absence of colors, you are able to focus more on the image, see greater details and admire lighting, angles and composition among others. Here are some basic tips to black and white photography –

a) Shoot in RAW

Many DPS readers won’t be able to shoot in RAW since their camera doesn’t have an option or because they may be ignorant of it. However, shooting in RAW can offer you many alternatives post production.

b) Shoot in Color

If you can’t shoot in RAW because your camera does not allow or if you opt not to, you can shoot in color following which you convert it to black and white on your PC. The conversion to black and white won’t be much difficult on account of various photo editing software.

Shoot with minimum possible ISO. This is of utter significance, especially for black and white photos where noise or grain stemming from ISO can be really obvious. If you want this noise, you can add it in the process of post production. However, it gets difficult to take the noise out later.

d) When should you shoot

It’s best to shoot black and white photographs on a dark or dull day. Surprisingly, on these days those who shoot color photographs sit and home and complain.

e) Give your image some silver Effex

With Silver Effex Pro 2, your black and white photographs will look incredible. The program is somewhat pricey, however, is worth the money. You can check it out here .

f) Make use of a polarizer

When you are shooting around surfaces that are reflective like leaves or water, it’s good to use a polarizer to reduce the reflection of light from the sun. When you remove the color from these images, the specular highlights will be distracting to the overall composition.

Check out this amazing collection of black and white photographs.

1. Funeral ( © ultramaryna)

2. Mikko Lagerstedt

3. Toni Frissell

4. The Queen ( © zemotion)

5. The Grobglockner ( © Martin Gommel)

6. Jenna Herman

7. Alin Ciortea

8. Black and white bricks ( © beautifully destructed)

9. Yasin Hassan

10. Christoffer

11. Sally Mann

12. I’ll tell you a story ( © alejka)

13. Dusk ( © Dr. Azzacov)

14. Marios Tziortzis

15. Larry Towell

16. Laughing with ( © iNeedChemicalX)

17. Groynes_revisited 2.0 ( © Geoffrey Gilson)

19. Tour Eiffel ( © Gabriele Caretti)

20. Bitter Sweet Symphony ( © iNeedChemicalX)

21. Georg Sedlmeir

22. Childhood Memories ( © Stephanie Amesse)

23. Ansel Adams

24. Fantaic New ( © Nigrita)

25. Hidden Grove ( © Joe Azure)

26. Calligraphy ( © Martin Vlnas)

27. On my mind ( © liquidsunnyday)

28. Winter Tree ( © See it)

29. Old hammar woman Ethiopia ( © Eric Lafforgue)

30. Lyrical ( © Moodychick)

31. The tree yet again

32. The Mediator ( © Hans van de Vorst)

33. Alsion ( © Jack Radcliffe)

34. 06 ( © bezglowa)

35. Bryce Canyon Moonlight ( © Geoffrey Gilson)

36. Joanna Kustra

Also See:  Incredibly Expressive Black and White Portraits

37. Ralph Gibson’s staircase ( © John Ashburn)

38. I’m fre ( © dasha-take-photos)

39. Ripples ( © Sandy Redding)

40. Alexandra

41. Snowy Sheep ( © Roy Mckeown)

42. Sarmata ( © Polska)

43. Marmota

44. Monique

45. Adam Hinton

46. Georg Sedlmeir

47. Arbol Luminoso ( © Moises Levy)

Also See:  Beautiful Examples of Black and White Landscape Photography

48. Ethiopia-Dassanetch ( © Marjan Van Thielen)

49. Le Pelvoux ( © Remibridot)

50. Two warehouses ( © vanshnookenraggen)

Recent Articles

Lopebet Explore the Thrills of Gaming

The Art of Profiting: Unleashing the Secret Formula to Successfully Sell Prints

The Digital Alchemy: Transforming Images with a Simple Click

Mastering The Rule of Thirds: Unleasing Your Photography Potential

Why Video Content Marketing Is a Must

Everything You Need To Know About Using Stock Images In Packaging

Free videos for reels / shorts.

See More Free Videos

Free photos.

See More Free Photos

[email protected]

© All Rights Reserved 2021 | Designed by Web Seasoning

• Cinematography

Black and White Portrait Photography — Pro-Tips & Techniques

C hoosing to shoot black and white photography is exactly that — a choice. It is a choice that many photographers choose to make when shooting portraits. Why? What is it about a black and white photo that works so well when capturing the face of a person? How can you use black and white photography to create striking portraits that convey both meaning and emotion?

Let’s take a look at the process of shooting black and white portrait photography and some tips that will help you achieve powerful portraits.

Shooting black and white portrait photography

Choose digital or film.

The very first thing you must determine when shooting any photograph is whether you will shoot digital or film. Both have their benefits and both have their downsides.

Film obviously provides a unique look and style. It can entail elements like the texture of film grain and change how you compose photos. This is especially true when shooting black and white photos that aim for a classic style reminiscent of older photographs.

Platon Antoniou, arguably one of the best portrait photographers working today, chooses to shoot on film because it keeps him connected with his subjects. Take a look at Platon in action and the influence of film on his work.

Platon: Black and white portrait photography

Digital photography, on the other hand, may lack the classic elements of film. However, they make up for it in their flexibility. Shooting with DSLR cameras or mirrorless cameras will enable you to shoot in RAW file format. This retains all image information, giving you flexibility to tweak and manipulate the image in a way that you could not otherwise.

Digital black and white photos can also capture a cleaner, more modern portrait style. Determining whether you will shoot film or digital will depend entirely on the portraiture style you envision.

Black and white portrait photos tips

Shoot for black and white.

Before you shoot a black and white portrait, it is important to understand why you are shooting in black and white. How does black and white make this portrait better than if it was taken in color?

It is important to keep in mind that your portrait will be black and white from the very beginning. Lighting, composition, and camera settings will change once you decide to shoot black and white. Many photographers wonder if they should shoot in black and white in-camera or shoot in color and convert to black and white in post.

Color to B&W portrait

If you are shooting RAW, this decision does not matter as much since RAW will allow you to change from monochromatic to color or vice versa in editing. Shooting in-camera, black and white, and in RAW will allow you to see the image you shoot immediately in black and white as you shoot. But it will also give you the ability to convert to color if need be.

Black and white portrait photography settings

Select your camera settings.

Many photographers are drawn to black and white photography because of its use of contrast . When it comes to portraits, this contrast can draw emphasis to a subject and create a powerful image. Your settings should complement the visual style you are trying to achieve.

Using a larger aperture like f/1.4 or f/2.8 will create a shallow depth of field . The shallow depth of field will put any distractions out of focus and draw more attention to your subject.

Best black and white portraits examples

This will also create some separation between your subject and their background which is great for portraiture. To learn more about the relationship between aperture and depth of field, check out our complete aperture video breakdown.

B&W portrait aperture settings  •   Subscribe on YouTube

Another component of the exposure triangle to consider experimenting with is ISO . Traditionally, film photos contain image grain which can add texture to a portrait. To achieve this digitally, create an appropriate amount of image noise by using a higher ISO.

This well emulates the textural effect of film grain. Check out how ISO can be used stylistically to create noise in this ISO video breakdown.

Black and white portrait photos ISO  •   Subscribe on YouTube

However, if you wish to produce a high resolution portrait with minimal noise, opt for an ISO value close to your camera’s native ISO. This will give you the most dynamic range. Of course, your camera settings will also be influenced by your lighting set up.

Related Posts

• What is ISO? And How Does it Work →
• Ultimate Guide to the Camera Aperture →
• Visualize Your Scenes with an Online Shotlist →

Black and white portrait photography lighting

Experiment with lighting.

As we mentioned earlier, the allure of black and white portrait photography lies in its use of contrast. If this is why you too want to shoot a portrait in black and white, do not be afraid to experiment with different lighting techniques .

Using a single light source can create a tremendous amount of drama in a photograph. The high contrast of split lighting matches the style of black and white. For example, a split lighting setup can make your subject look mysterious or enigmatic.

Black and white portrait photography  •  Split Lighting Setup

If you want just a bit more detail from your subjects but still want dramatic lighting, experiment with Rembrandt lighting . The use of shadow and highlights in Rembrandt lighting works extremely well with black and white photography.

Rembrandt Lighting for black and white portrait photos

Chiaroscuro lighting is one of the key black and white portrait techniques that emphasizes the juxtaposition of light and darkness. It’s use of low and high-contrast lighting helps establish the mood of your black and white portrait.

These are only a few types of lighting setups that work well with black and white photography. The goal in mind is to find lighting styles that complement the strengths of black and white which is contrast.

This video tutorial on black and white portraiture with one light will help give you lighting ideas to get the ball rolling.

How to light a B&W portrait with one light

Beyond specific lighting setups and styles, be sure to get creative with how you utilize shadows. Casting shadows on your subject can add another layer of meaning to your powerful black and white portraits.

Shadows in black and white portrait photos

Finding the right type of lighting setup for your portrait will take trial and error and a lot of practice. A dramatic, mysterious split lighting setup may work well for one subject, but not so much for another. Be flexible yet intentional with your lighting setups to create powerful black and white portraits.

B&W portrait posing tips

Pose your subjects.

A huge part of being a portrait photographer is posing your subject. While this is true of both color and black and white portraits, there are a few things to keep in mind when shooting black and white specifically.

Eyes are priority

In black and white photography, the eyes are more important than ever. Eyes tend to pop in a black and white photography portrait. So try to pose your subject in a way that allows their eyes to really tell a story. This often means telling your subject to look right into the lens as you get in close. 

Best black and white portraits by Platon

Find and create shapes.

A common practice in shooting a black and white photography portrait is shooting against an all white background. If you plan to do this, keep in mind that the contrast of subjects against this blank background will draw an emphasis to shapes.

Because of this, posing your subject to create pleasing compositional shapes is important and a key to unique, striking portraits. As you can see from the portrait of Forest Whitaker above, Platon is one of the masters of this. He utilizes his ability to pose his subjects to create shapes that pop and match the story of who he is shooting.

• Mirrorless vs DSLR — Pros and Cons →
• Chiaroscuro Lighting Techniques Explained →
• What is Key Light? And How it Creates Dramatic Lighting →

How to do black and white portrait photography

Utilize negative space.

Black and white is minimalist in nature. Its lack of color can bring simplicity to an otherwise, complex or convoluted photograph. Feel free to lean into this simplicity in your portraits by utilizing negative space.

Shadows tend to bleed into other shadows and highlights tend to bleed into other highlights to create negative spaces in an image. Creating compositions that utilize this effect can create powerful portraits.

For example, take a look at this portrait by photographer Lee Jeffries. Notice how the subject’s clothing bleeds into the black background creating a seamlessness that draws further focus to their face and arms.

Even if you are not shooting in a controlled studio, shooting against solid backgrounds like a clear sky or blank wall will allow you to tweak the background in editing and achieve a similar effect.

Editing black and white portrait photography

Editing black and white portraits.

Editing a black and white photography portrait is more than simply adjusting contrast, shadows, and highlights. Believe it or not, color matters when editing black and white photos. Sure you may not be able to see the colors, but every image is composed of red, green, and blue.

Altering some of these colors will create different effects in your black and white portrait photography. To learn how to adjust these elements in Photoshop, check out this video tutorial by Phlearn.

How to Create a Stunning Black and White Photo

Another great tip for editing a black and white photo is to utilize calculations. Don’t worry, this won’t require any use of calculus. This simply means utilizing the “Calculations” tool in Photoshop to blend different channels from the same image. This allows you to manipulate more details and get more variation from a black and white photo.

Check out this comprehensive Photoshop tutorial on how to utilize calculations and color channels to edit your black and white portrait photography.

Black and white portrait photos Using Calculations in Photoshop

When shooting black and white portraits it is important to remember that by lacking color, black and white photos draw attention to other elements like contrast, shapes, and space. Utilizing these elements through lighting, posing, and editing will help you create striking black and white portraits.

Chiaroscuro lighting and its effects

Black and white photography is defined by its use of shadows and light. If this is what allures you to shooting black and white, then learning about Chiaroscuro lighting styles is essential. The term derives from the Italian words “chiaro” meaning “bright,” and “oscuro” meaning “dark.” Learn more about the Chiaroscuro visual style in our next article.

Up Next: Chiaroscuro lighting →

Showcase your vision with elegant shot lists and storyboards..

Create robust and customizable shot lists. Upload images to make storyboards and slideshows.

Learn More ➜

• Pricing & Plans
• Product Updates
• Featured On
• StudioBinder Partners
• The Ultimate Guide to Call Sheets (with FREE Call Sheet Template)
• How to Break Down a Script (with FREE Script Breakdown Sheet)
• The Only Shot List Template You Need — with Free Download
• Managing Your Film Budget Cashflow & PO Log (Free Template)
• A Better Film Crew List Template Booking Sheet
• Best Storyboard Softwares (with free Storyboard Templates)
• Movie Magic Scheduling
• Gorilla Software
• Storyboard That

A visual medium requires visual methods. Master the art of visual storytelling with our FREE video series on directing and filmmaking techniques.

We’re in a golden age of TV writing and development. More and more people are flocking to the small screen to find daily entertainment. So how can you break put from the pack and get your idea onto the small screen? We’re here to help.

• Making It: From Pre-Production to Screen
• What is Film Distribution — The Ultimate Guide for Filmmakers
• What is a Fable — Definition, Examples & Characteristics
• Whiplash Script PDF Download — Plot, Characters and Theme
• What Is a Talking Head — Definition and Examples
• What is Blue Comedy — Definitions, Examples and Impact
• 36 Facebook
• 656 Pinterest

Black and White Photography Ideas

One advantage to black and white photography , or shooting with the intent of converting to black and white, is it allows the photographer to focus on composition without being distracted by color.

Below we share tips for taking black and white pictures. Use them in addition to basic photography techniques to compose your image.

Use the photo ideas below to inspire you to get out and capture your own black and white images.

Thank you to the photographers who shared their black and white photos with us to illustrate this photography concept.

This site contains affiliate links which means WE may receive commissions for purchases made through these links. We only provide links to products we actually use and/or wholeheartedly recommend! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full Disclosure Policy.

Camera gear for landscape photography.

• Tripod: take a look at these compact and lightweight travel tripods !
• Camera Bag: protect your camera from sand and water → We use Lowepro camera backpacks for outdoor photography.
• Neutral density filter: to compensate for variance of light you’ll need to use a neutral density filter. → Check out the Kase magnetic filters we use!
• Camera cleaning kit : remove dust or water that WILL get on your lens. NOTE: this is not for cleaning the sensor.  
• Memory cards: purchase name brand memory cards since you’re trusting your images to the card! → We use Lexar  and  Sandisk !
• External hard drive : copy photos to a portable external hard drive ‘just in case’. 
• Headlamp : use when taking sunrise and sunset photos!

Take a look at the black and white photos shared by members of our Facebook Group, Your Photography Journey .

Use the tips and ideas for inspiration to get out and photograph your own black and white images!

Composition

In this amazing image captured by Gary Danis the subject just pops right out of the composition, capturing and holding the viewer’s eye.

There is contrast between the shades of black and white in the foreground, midground and background . The darker background helps to bring attention to the structure in this image.

Richey Oliver provides a similar lesson using layers and black and white photography to highlight the motorcycle and wooden barn. 

The viewer can easily see the motorcycle in the foreground and wooden barn in the background because there is no distraction of color.

Lines, Textures and Shapes

Black and white is a great medium for emphasizing lines, textures and shapes. 

Converting to black and white enhances contrast. It defines edges to focus on the lines, textures and shapes in a scene or subject. 

In this photo by Nadine Meyer you’ll see the absence of distracting color allows greater focus on specific elements of the composition. 

This black and white shot emphasizes the lines, patterns and curves in this scene.

Kevin Hehl applies the benefits of black and white imagery in this interesting capture of the natural effects of an eroding environment on rock. 

The lines of the subject in the image are strikingly emphasized and the rolling textures and shapes of the rock highlighted by the dramatic, shadowy tones.

Black and white photography is an impactful approach when shooting scenes or subjects that contain many tones of gray. 

Tony Kendrick captured an eye catching photo that demonstrates the power of gray tones in black and white.

The natural contrasts in the gray tones of the scene or subject provide an enhanced sense of drama and mood. 

William Holmes shares another amazing example of the power of black and white in expressing gray tones in a photograph. 

The shades of gray throughout the captured scene are strongly emphasized in a black and white photo. Gray tones help to define the subject and highlight the layers in a scene.

Timelessness

A powerful characteristic of black and white photography is the ability to cast a sense of timelessness to the scene. 

Jesse Simpson’s powerful capture of antiquity, cast in shades of black and white, illustrates this concept in the photo of an old schoolhouse.

The nature of black and white, in its lack of color, immediately establishes a perspective outside reality and creates a perfect environment for nostalgia and reflection of time passed by. 

There is nice balance in the photo with the dark tones of the subject and the lighter tones of the wall behind.

James Griffin really delivers in the timeless quality of this scene by using black and white photography.

In reference to subject matter, sometimes a great deal of planning and luck is needed to capture a modern scene to create a timeless effect.  Luck favors those who are prepared and skilled. 

Black and white is a powerful medium for evoking emotion in photography. 

Denise Thomason has utilized the strong compositional aspects of black and white in this stirring photographic tribute. 

The image immediately evokes emotion as it expresses the wear and care of a service-focused life spent running toward the fire.

This work of art draws the viewer into a respect and reverence more powerful than any moment of silence could ever achieve.

Alesia Sanmarco’s captivating photograph rendered in black and white evokes strong emotion in an image to which we can all immediately relate. 

The stark contrast of brilliant whites and rich blacks enhanced by the shadowed leading lines combine to deliver a compelling composition built around an expressively captured subject.

Black and white is a good effect to use when photographing a silhouetted subject, as seen in this photo by Marilyn Williams. 

The natural contrasts of the black and white layers of water help to make the silhouetted subject pop here.

Capturing the action of the boy in the water adds another element of interest for the viewer.

Black and white lends itself naturally to creative expression in contrast to realism. 

The nature of the tonal approach steps outside our natural comfort zone and disconnects us from the real world around us by eliminating color, thus opening the door to a realm of possibilities. 

In this really cool creative approach to black and white photography, Daphne Brislin has selectively reintroduced vibrant color to draw attention to the subject and make it pop against the darkened bokeh background.

Similar Posts

Part of the Whole Photo Ideas

Negative Space Photography Ideas and Tips

The Benefits of Photography on Mental Health, Perspective and Life

12 Stunning Landscape Photography Examples

Seasons Photography Ideas and Tips

Tips and Ideas to Photograph Trees

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

9 Black & White Photography Ideas to Get You Inspired

Last Updated on Jan 27 2023

Colors aren’t always the solution for expressing our emotions in photography. The black and white style has long been a way to create stunning imagery without relying on what we see in real life. It might make you think of the era of the first film cameras, which were bulky contraptions that were rare to come by. However, we have the tools today at our disposal that let us do this with ease. Here are 9 black and white photography ideas to get you inspired—no color needed!

The 9 Black and White Photography Ideas Are:

• 1. Repetition

Humans are drawn to music, architecture, shapes, and everything in between. With black and white photos, taking photos in chaotic scenarios can be challenging. Searching for repeating patterns will draw the viewers’ attention and keep order within the image. One of the best ways to do this is by finding both man-made and natural objects that seem to follow a set number of continuous repetitions. For example, you can shoot three trees lined up together or the expanse of endless windows on a skyscraper.

• 2. Clouds and Stormy Weather

Weather is one area of our world that is unpredictable and ever-changing. The mixture of gray and white colors in stormy weather allows one to capture a moment that might never happen again. This is a great time for photographers to take advantage of remarkable cloud formations that already have a black and white hue.

• 3. Abandoned Places

The abandoned zone is a daring but fascinating idea hidden in the black and white photography community. Artists around the world find unkempt and seemingly deserted constructions left by humanity. Whether it’s a shipwreck, plane, mansion, or forest of rusted antique cars, a deteriorated subject is always stunning. Just make sure to get permission if your subject is on private property.

• 4. Natural Light and Sunbeams 

When they break through a classic black and white vista, sunbeams are mother nature’s most heavenly scene. Much like our mention about climate, natural light is in constant motion outdoors. Still, you can find interesting variations of this right in your own home, and you don’t have to go out of your way to get creative. Angles play an essential part in this concept; try to move around the sunbeams for more chances at the perfect shot. 

• 5. Silhouettes and Shadows

Silhouettes are a great way to separate your subject from the background, as it creates a lot of contrast. The good thing about this is that you can create a silhouette from just about anything out there, and you can underexpose the image according to how dark or bright your subject is. Especially without the use of color, shadows are a fundamental part of most pictures. 

• 6. Pick Up a Film Camera

With an old film camera , you’re guaranteed to produce images that imitate the historic and iconic culture of the early 1900s. With this in hand, the grainy, rough textures of the film can add emotions that new digital bodies can’t get. Plus, you’ll be in the mood to create exposures that match your ideas of the relationship between film and black and white photography. Even the most minor things, like the sound of the flash or shutter, could push your inspiration further. 

• 7. Story Portraits

In some ways, black and white portraits express the person’s story in the photo better than their fully-toned counterpart. Without the colors, the skin texture and emotional response of the person you’ve photographed will be powerful and intriguing. People from every walk of life have their chance to be presented in a way that shows how they feel and who they are. The most common ways people shoot portraits are outdoor scenes or with a backdrop.

• 8. Minimalism

Less is more in many cases, especially when you want to express minimalism. Black and white photos are the prime example of minimalism since there aren’t any colors to interfere and make things complex. Minimalism also makes contrast much easier, as these two tones are complete opposites of each other. There is a huge opportunity here to find contrasting subjects and use black and white to separate them to an even further extent.

• 9. Astrophotography 

Astrophotography might seem out of place as one of the less popular types of black and white photography. We’re accustomed to seeing sensational Milky Way images that have a flurry of colors, but the fact is, we don’t see this in person. Black and white astrophotography display a more realistic view of what we see through a telescope. The images you can get from the lunar surface mixed with clouds or other scenery here on Earth could surprise you. A bit of time, patience, and planning will do wonders!

Black and white photography isn’t your typical photography genre. Most images these days are taken with our phones, which produce vibrant, true-to-life colors. However, that doesn’t mean B&W isn’t worth pursuing. In fact, the niche directs your focus more on what’s in the image, if anything. We hope these ideas help you create stunning black and white photos.

• https://www.thephotoargus.com/60-inspiring-examples-of-black-and-white-photography/  
• https://erickimphotography.com/blog/2021/01/26/5-creative-black-and-white-photography-assignment-ideas/  

Featured Image Credit: Valentin Schönpos, Pixabay 

Table of Contents

About the Author Robert Sparks

Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.

Related Articles:

How to Clean a Refractor Telescope: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Clean a Telescope Eyepiece: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Clean a Rifle Scope: 8 Expert Tips

Monocular vs Telescope: Differences Explained (With Pictures)

What Is a Monocular Used For? 8 Common Functions

How to Clean a Telescope Mirror: 8 Expert Tips

Brightfield vs Phase Contrast Microscopy: The Differences Explained

SkyCamHD Drone Review: Pros, Cons, FAQ, & Verdict

• Student Successes
• My Learning

8 Black and White Macro Photography Tips for Stunning Photos

You can also select your interests for free access to our premium training:

In this article, I’m going to give you 8 tips for amazing black and white macro photography . You’ll come away with the ability to take stunning black and white macro shots .

How to Create Stunning Black and White Macro Photography: Tip 1 – Shoot Using the Best Light

Tip 2: Shoot Into the Light for Ultimate Black and White Contrast

Tip 3: Shoot Your Macro Subject Against an Opposite Backdrop for the Best Contrast

Tip 4: Simplify Your Photo for the Most Powerful Composition

Tip 5: Focus on a Single Detail for the Most Compelling Composition

Tip 6: Find Texture for an Eye-Catching Black and White Macro Photo

Tip 7: Include Negative Space to Help the Subject Stand Out

Tip 8: Enhance the Contrast in Post-Processing for the Most Stunning Look

You should now know exactly how you can achieve amazing black and white macro photography. Pay attention to the light. Include as much contrast as you can. Simplify the composition. And use post-processing to add the finishing touches. Now, all that’s left to do? Get out and shoot! Read more on how to shoot stunning fine art macro photos ! 

Popular Content

Homes & Gardens

Black and white kitchen ideas – 10 marvellous monochrome kitchens

Posted: October 29, 2023 | Last updated: October 29, 2023

These black and white kitchen ideas will help you to create a space that's monochromatic but marvellous

Black and white kitchen ideas are a classic choice – timelessly elegant, unlikely to date and easy to decorate. Choosing a mostly white kitchen with touches of black is the safest choice, while black cabinetry matched with white countertops is a braver option that can look smart, dramatic and always neat.

Whichever way you tip the color balance, a black and white kitchen design easily lends itself to a modern scheme and period properties, too. You can team black and white with rustic wood for a warmer finish, marble for an elegant feel, and metallics for a more contemporary finish.

Adding pattern will bring character and interest to your kitchen. As for brighter, bolder colors, these can be swapped in and out through everything from paint to accessories.

Rustic elements add warmth to black and white kitchen ideas

A monochromatic palette in a white kitchen can conjure up thoughts of a sterile space – albeit one that's sleek, modern and not often considered in a period setting. However, it can work really well in more traditional homes, as shown in this stunning kitchen by Neptune.

One element that is key in this space is the use of wood – it warms up the kitchen and acts as a ‘middle man’ between the black units and white walls. It’s important to choose the right tone of wood too – if you go too pale, it will look washed out. A mid-tone such as that of the basin unit and island countertop is spot on.

Contemporary black and white kitchen ideas are perfect for open-plan spaces

Black and white kitchen ideas lend themselves to an ultra modern space. You can see how fabulous they look in this contemporary, open-plan space, where a black and white palette is the perfect backdrop for the softer side of the room.

‘Black acts as a neutral as it goes with most colors and finishes. We often use materials such as carbon oak veneer, flamed granite or even porcelains such as Kerlite,’ says Richard Atkins, design director at DesignSpace London. ‘Set against, say, white lacquer, their texture and profound depth of color adds life and interest’.

Subtle touches of color enliven black and white kitchens

There’s a preconceived notion that if you choose a black and white kitchen scheme you can’t add in other colors, but in fact, it can be used as a blank canvas for just that, as Richard Atkins explains:

‘White is less affected by fashion and taste than other colors and finishes that tend to date, and monochrome is timeless… a white kitchen with dark accents will never go out of fashion. White on white works well and as a neutral, it also coordinates with a wide range of other materials and finishes including woods and a wide choice of colors.’

Artwork is a fabulous way to introduce color and you can carry the mains shades through into accessories on your countertops.

The right shade of black is vital

For painted kitchens, there are many shades of black to choose from – you can find blacks with a hint of red, green, blue and brown, and some are harsher than others to the eye. So it is always worth testing out your cabinetry color, whether black or white, before picking out the final color.

Farrow & Ball’s Railings No.31 is classed as a ‘softer’ black. It has undertones of blue which creates a dramatic more enveloping feel.

Another consideration when you decide how to paint kitchen cabinets is the finish: full gloss will work well for a modern scheme, whereas a softer sheen will create more of a relaxed feel in a period-style kitchen.

Warm metallics are the perfect complement

The oh-so-smooth finish of a black and white kitchen might be, quite frankly, too sterile unless you love the minimalist look. However, there are some great tricks you can use to give it warmth and texture while enjoying the black and white elements.

Brass – and other warm metallics – is one of the big kitchen trends and it looks fabulous in this kitchen by Maestri Studio. It gives it a luxurious glow and breaks up the monochromatic scheme perfectly. Another key addition here is the textured white wall tiles; they add a lovely tactile feel which gives this space that extra bit of style.

Match black and white to softer gray

If you are wavering between a gray kitchen design and black and white kitchen, you'll be pleased to know that you can have the best of both worlds. Gray cabinetry is softer and more space-enhancing than stark black, and more adventurous than white cabinetry – but if you combine both black and white into the scheme, too, you'll create a room that's the perfect compromise.

We love the nod to green kitchens with the addition of the green and white gingham here – it's the ideal accent shade to further soften the scheme.

Wood flooring suits a Shaker style kitchen

Wood is a wonderful foil for the sterility of a black and white kitchen scheme. We asked Calven Gurr, manager at Havwoods, for his advice on choosing wood kitchen flooring for a black and white scheme:

‘For darker kitchen color schemes, we would recommend selecting boards with warm undertones; this will create a feeling of spaciousness, which can help to make the room appear bigger and brighter. To add depth and character, choose boards with texture or even opt for reclaimed wood as the inherent knots and marks will add a unique touch to the space.’

What we love about the floorboards in this kitchen is how they tie in visually with the exposed brick around the fire surround. These features all help to create a warm black and white kitchen scheme.

A splash of black can transform an all-white kitchen

If your kitchen is small or has low ceilings, it makes sense to consider a predominantly white color scheme above all others – but you can inject a little drama by installing one single but impactful black element, such as a range cooker, to your scheme.

In this Neptune designed kitchen, the black is subtly carried through into the base unit handles and picture frames – this is a great example of how to make it work when you play with balancing light and dark.

Combining black and white with marble is elegant

A black kitchen will always benefit from texture in its surfaces – so if you want to create interest, consider marble for your countertops. It will create a decorative aspect that will soften the overall feel of the space, and gray kitchen counter marble veining can be a really pretty addition, like in this space.

When choosing metallics for black and white kitchens, it's worth knowing that you can also soften the scheme with warm-toned metallics, such as brass, gold or copper, like these pendants from Pooky.

Limiting the black to the kitchen island is a safe option

If the black and white kitchens you've been considering are just a little too bold, why not consider kitchen islands that are painted black, with the cabinetry around the boundaries of the room a safe white?

This creates an interesting, impactful feel, and is also great if you're wondering how to make a small kitchen look bigger, especially if the countertops are light colored.

More for You

Coast Guard, Navy rescue 3 stranded men after spotting 'HELP' sign made with palm leaves

Ron DeSantis takes on Target, and Walmart, over retail theft

This Is How Long You Can Leave Butter On the Counter, According to Land O'Lakes

NASA Solves Moon-Crossing Object Mystery

The 50 worst movie remakes ever made

Tom Brady says he's 'not opposed' to a late-season NFL return

Video shows rare 'species of concern' appear in West Virginia forest

Here’s How Long You Should Walk Every Day to Keep Your Heart Healthy

4 Things You Should Never Cook in Cast Iron

Trump trial bombshell: First former U.S. president ever prosecuted faces hush money music next week

Space Rock Slammed Into Moon - The Explosion Was Seen From Japan

25 movies that will really mess with your head

NATO Aircraft Scrambled After Massive Russian Missile Strikes

Over 900 Black actors respond to racist remarks aimed at Black ‘Romeo & Juliet’ co-star: ‘We want to send a clear message’

13 Menu Items McDonald's Employees Refuse To Order

26-year-old works 20 minutes a day, brings in $462,000 a year from side hustle: I'm 'doing less' and 'making more' than ever

Fireball drops from New Jersey sky, days after eclipse and earthquake

27 Side Characters That Stole The Spotlight

I Lost 50lbs With 3 Lifestyle Changes

New 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' Footage Introduces Jenna Ortega's New Character

The April 8 solar eclipse will bring weird sights, sounds and feelings

The darkening of the sky on April 8 will bring with it a plethora of strange phenomena.

Bailey's beads appear around the moon

• Diamond ring
• Atmospheric manifestation
• Revealing hidden stars and planets

A horned 'devil' may appear!

• Shadow bands
• Weird colors
• Bending light
• Temperature shift
• Animal behavior

You can watch the total solar eclipse live on Space.com . And keep up with all the actions with our total solar eclipse 2024 live updates blog. 

On Monday (April 8), the sky over a swathe of North America will briefly darken as the moon covers the sun completely during a total solar eclipse. 

For a maximum of 4 minutes and 28 seconds along a 115-mile-wide (185 kilometers) and 10,000-mile-long (16,000 km) path passing through Mexico, the United States and Canada, the moon will completely cover the sun, and the sky will fall dark. And, outside this path of totality , observers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, which is still a sight to behold.

It's not surprising that our ancient ancestors viewed total solar eclipses with trepidation and fear. They were often thought to be dire portents from the gods, indicating the deities' displeasure — or observations of the sun being consumed by fearsome creatures like dragons, which needed to be scared away with loud noises. 

In our current (mostly) scientifically enlightened times, we have abandoned such supernatural explanations. But rejecting the concept of star-eating dragons doesn't mean that the total solar eclipse isn't capable of throwing up some unusual and phenomena that may leave witnesses scratching their heads.

Related: Total solar eclipse 2024: Everything you need to know

Space.com takes you through a brief list of some of the strange phenomena that may distract you as you attempt to take in the most exciting astronomical event of 2024!

Astronomical occurrences

As the moon makes its final approach to the sun in the sky, light will begin streaming through the valleys, mountains, craters , and rough terrain at the edge of the lunar disk. This creates droplets of light at the very edge of the moon's disk called " Bailey's beads ."

Get the Space.com Newsletter

Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

Bailey's beads are named after English astronomer Francis Bailey, who described the phenomenon in 1836. Ironically, Bailey may not actually be the discoverer of Bailey's beads. Edmond Halley  made the first recorded observations of Bailey's beads during a solar eclipse on May 3, 1715, also correctly describing their cause.

On April 8, watch out for Bailey's Beads before the moon completely covers the sun , and again as the lunar disk begins to move away from the solar disk.

The sun gives the moon a diamond ring

The appearance of Bailey's beads at the edge of the moon may be accompanied by another striking phenomenon. 

A "diamond ring" happens during a total solar eclipse just moments before the point at which the moon completely covers the sun, known as totality. This is caused by the last sunlight streaming through the rugged terrain at the edge of the lunar disk. 

During the 2024 total solar eclipse, skywatchers can attempt to observe a rare "double diamond ring" when two prominent points of sunlight appear at the edge of the moon.

Related: The moon: Everything you need to know about Earth's companion

The sun's atmosphere manifests

Normally, when observing the sun, the atmosphere of our star is "washed out" by light flowing from what can roughly be described as the solar surface, the photosphere. 

During a total solar eclipse, however, photons from the photosphere are blocked, and the two elements of the solar atmosphere, the outer layer or corona and the inner layer or chromosphere become more visible.

The corona will appear as waving white streamers surrounding the blacked-out solar disk. The chromosphere will appear as a more subtle, thin halo of color, mostly pink and red, closer to the lunar disk. The eclipse may also reveal solar filaments made of plasma and molded by solar magnetic fields extending out from behind the moon.

Hidden stars and planets are revealed

Some skywatchers may be focused on other solar system bodies or stars farther afield than the sun during the April 8 total solar eclipse. 

According to Space.com skywatching columnist Joe Rao , some of the planets that may make an appearance during totality, which would usually be hidden in daylight, will be Venus , around 15 degrees to the west of the sun, and  Jupiter , 30 degrees east of the star. Other planets that may be visible are Saturn and Mars , which will be 35 degrees and 36 degrees to the west of the sun, respectively. (Your fist held at arm's length covers about 10 degrees of sky.)

For eclipse watchers on the path of totality outside Mexico and Texas, the brightest star over Earth, Sirius, will be over the horizon and should be visible toward the east-southeast. Among the other fainter stars that should become apparent are the Goat Star Capella , high in the east-northeast, and Rigel , lower in the southeast.

Don't panic! We haven't slipped back into medieval fears and superstition; the "horned devil" we are speaking about in this case is Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks . The comet, which can currently be seen in the night skies of the Northern Hemisphere, has a strange "horned aura" resulting from the outflow of its icy material that has resulted in it being nicknamed the " devil comet ."

This faux-satanic space rock visits the inner solar system around every 71 years and will be at its closest to the sun on April 21, 2024. That means Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will be fairly close to the sun when the moon will obscure it on April 8,  according to EarthSky.org . 

If it is visible, the comet should appear between the sun and Jupiter, but closer to the gas giant. Whether it can be seen or not on the day of the eclipse will depend on the ferocity of the explosions of material that burst from it, boosting the size of its halo and the brightness of its glow.

Related: A 'horned' comet may be visible during the 2024 total solar eclipse

Strange light effects

Shadow bands sweeep across earth.

Shadow bands are one of the strangest effects associated with solar eclipses. These alternating light and dark bands can sometimes be seen during these events on the ground and buildings in the path of the eclipse. 

First occurring around the time of totality, shadow bands initially seem disordered and chaotic but become increasingly well-ordered and more prominent as totality approaches. These bands are caused by atmospheric turbulence over Earth, which causes refraction of and collimation of sunlight when the solar disk is 99% covered. 

Shadow bands are tough to image because they are only briefly visible and don't occur everywhere in the path of totality. The 1-inch to 2-inch-wide (2.5 to 5 centimeters) bands slide across the ground and buildings at a pace of around 10 feet (3 m) per second.

Colors look different

During the solar eclipse, many skywatchers will see colors shifting, giving familiar objects unusual hues. This natural shift in color perception is caused by fluctuating light levels resulting from the darkening of the sun. 

Colors the human eye sees as rich and vibrant in bright light, like red and orange, become muted compared with blues and greens, which brighten in dim light. The rapid dimming of the sun during a total solar eclipse heightens this phenomenon, called the " Purkinje shift ," making the eclipse a potentially surreal event in which the most familiar objects look almost alien.

Light gets bent!

Some scientists will see the total solar eclipse as an opportunity to test one of Albert Einstein 's most revolutionary ideas, general relativity . 

This 1915 theory of gravity suggests that massive objects warp the very fabric of space-time . When light passes this warping from a background source, it too is curved, an effect called gravitational lensing . This results in those background sources apparently shifting position in the sky. 

When the sun darkens on April 8, scientists have the chance to observe the shift in the position of background stars caused by the mass of our star and its warping effect on space-time. 

Eclipses have a long history of being used to verify general relativity. The first experimental verification of the theory, which was not initially widely accepted by the scientific community, came about when two teams of scientists led by Frank Watson Dyson and  Arthur Stanley Eddington observed gravitational lensing during the May 1919 total solar eclipse from the African island of Príncipe and the Brazilian town of Sobral.

The natural world shifts

Eclipses are cool.

The sun isn't just a source of light over Earth , it is also our planet's major source of heat. That means that, as the moon covers the sun on April 8, eclipse watchers may suddenly find themselves needing a jacket.

The amount by which the temperature fluctuates during the total solar eclipse will depend strongly on the location from which it is viewed. Temperatures could drop by as little as 5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 degrees Celsius) or as much 10 degrees F (5.6 degrees C).

As the moon covers the sun, onlookers may also experience a sudden drop in wind speed. As the moon moves away, winds will pick up again, but they could be blowing in an entirely different direction. 

— A 'horned' comet may be visible during the 2024 total solar eclipse

— How photos of the April 8 solar eclipse will help us understand of the sun's atmosphere

— How fast will April's total solar eclipse travel?

Animals act differently

Animal behavior is controlled by many factors, one of which is an internal biological clock that keeps track of a " circadian rhythm ." This rhythm is optimized by light, with diurnal animals prompted to sleep when the sun sets and nocturnal animals prompted to rise at the same time. That means the dimming light of the eclipse and the "false dusk" could prompt the release of hormones related to the sleeping and waking cycle in animals. 

Additionally, the drop in temperature could cause a drop in atmospheric pressure that feels like an approaching storm to animals, making them anxious or fearful. Eclipse watchers may also expect to hear a dawn's chorus from birds as the eclipse ends, fooling our feathered friends into believing it is a new day. 

During the total solar eclipse, one project that will be attempting to better understand the effect of the eclipse on wildlife is the NASA Soundscapes project. This multisensory approach will see citizen scientists making recordings of the sounds heard as the sky falls dark, and also make written accounts of what is seen, heard, or felt during the event.

Related: Solar eclipse glasses: Where to buy the best, high-quality eyewear

People get emotional

It isn't just animals that will potentially get spooked by the darkening skies of the total solar eclipse eclipse. Humans can also be emotionally affected by these events. 

NASA advises that, if skywatchers aren't too busy looking for Bailey's Beads, diamond rings, or shadow bands, they should take a look at the people around them and observe if anyone has a deep emotional response when the sun goes into totality.

Of course, these shifts in emotions are temporary. If you intend to view any eclipse stages, the most important thing to consider is how to safely view it. Looking at the sun without adequate protection at any time is harmful to the eyes, so eclipse watchers should take precautions on April 8. 

Sunglasses, regardless of how dark they are, can't protect the eyes from the effects of the sun, so specialized eclipse glasses made from safe solar filter materials will be needed. If skywatchers intend to watch the event with a telescope, special filters will be needed to make this a safe viewing experience.

Our how to observe the sun safely guide tells you everything you need to know about safe solar observations.

Submit your photos! If you capture a photo of the April 8 total solar eclipse or any of these strange effects and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send photos, videos, comments, and your name, location and content usage permission release to [email protected].

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Robert Lea is a science journalist in the U.K. whose articles have been published in Physics World, New Scientist, Astronomy Magazine, All About Space, Newsweek and ZME Science. He also writes about science communication for Elsevier and the European Journal of Physics. Rob holds a bachelor of science degree in physics and astronomy from the U.K.’s Open University. Follow him on Twitter @sciencef1rst.

Top total solar eclipses to look out for over the next decade

What it was like to chase totality in South Texas

My formal 2024 solar eclipse apology

Most Popular

By Tereza Pultarova April 11, 2024

By Keith Cooper April 11, 2024

By Jamie Carter April 11, 2024

By Mike Wall April 11, 2024

By Robert Z. Pearlman April 11, 2024

By Joe Rao April 10, 2024

By Robert Lea April 10, 2024

By Mike Wall April 10, 2024

By Brett Tingley April 10, 2024

By Jamie Carter April 10, 2024

By Jeff Spry April 10, 2024

• 2 Achoo! Baby star 'sneezes' tell astronomers a lot about their development
• 3 A NASA spacecraft spotted something weird orbiting the moon. It was just a lunar neighbor (photos)
• 4 Monster star gains magnetic personality following stellar merger
• 5 Car-sized asteroid gives Earth a super-close shave with flyby closer than some satellites

Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.

No glasses? No problem. Three cool ways to safely view the eclipse.

‘pinhole projectors’ will do the trick. so will plants in your backyard..

The April 8 total solar eclipse is finally here — and it’s sure to amaze and delight the millions who see it.

Everyone in the Lower 48 states will be able to view at least a partial solar eclipse, assuming cloud-free skies .

To savor the eclipse, you don’t need special equipment. Even if you can’t get your hands on eclipse glasses , there are old school, low-tech ways to see it. If you’re crafty and canny, the eclipse can still be a memorable experience.

2024 total solar eclipse

Safety first

The first rule of enjoying the eclipse is to avoid looking directly at the sun without eye protection. Even brief glances can cause permanent damage.

The only exception to this rule is for lucky spectators in the path of totality during the few minutes of the total eclipse, when the sun is fully blocked by the moon.

For those witnessing the partial solar eclipse, even when most of the sun’s surface is blocked, the remaining, visible crescent is still intensely bright and cannot be safely viewed without eye protection.

But, if you don’t have eye protection, here are some safe ways to experience the partial eclipse through indirect means:

Make a pinhole projector

A way around looking directly the sun is to make your own eclipse projector using a cereal box. It’s a safe and terrific way to capture the eclipse action.

Clear the kitchen table and find the craft scissors. In addition to the cereal box, you’ll need a piece of aluminum foil, tape and a small nail or pushpin.

First, eat your Froot Loops — or whatever toasted grain you prefer — and keep the box. On a white piece of paper or white cardboard, trace the bottom of the box. Then, clip out the traced rectangle from the paper and put it in the bottom of the opened box. That’s your screen that images of the eclipse will project onto.

Cut out two squares (1.5 inches should suffice) on the lid of the box and then tape the lid back together. For one square, cover the hole in foil and tape it down. Gently put a pushpin or small nail hole through it, as that is the lens that the sun’s light will pass through. The smaller the hole, the sharper the projected image.

When using your personal box theater, turn away from the sun — and let the sun’s rays shine through the tiny pin hole. Look through the other hole in the lid to see the eclipse action — during the eclipse you’ll see the moon biting a chunk from the sun.

Other kinds of small boxes — such as shoe boxes or small package boxes — work well, too. And your kids can decorate them for fun.

Looking to the trees

If you’re not inclined to make a projector box, you can also view the partial phases of the eclipse in the shadows of trees and plants.

The small gaps in between leaves, branches and pine needles act as miniature projectors. When light passes through, a small image of the sun is cast onto the ground. As the partial eclipse progresses, you’ll see the small circles evolve into sickle-shaped crescents, eventually waning to a sliver.

You may consider holding a white piece of paper or poster board beneath a tree or plant to make it easier to spot the shadows.

Gadgets and fingers

Leaves aren’t special — they just happen to be good at producing tiny projections. But realistically, any hole that’s about a quarter inch wide, give or take, will do the trick. That means you could even parade around outside with your pasta colander, cheese grater or serving spoon with holes in it and look at its shadow. Place white paper or poster board on the ground to see the projection more clearly.

You could also just hold your fingers out and crisscross them to make for half a dozen or so small openings between. Just extend your fingers on both hands as if you’re trying to make a W , and then overlap them.

Simple, yet elegant.

A total solar eclipse passed across the United States on Monday, April 8. See photos and videos from the path of totality and read our reporters’ coverage from scenes across the nation .

Looking ahead: Missed this one? The next eclipse visible in the United States won’t be until 2044 — and then we’ll see another shortly after in 2045. If you did watch this eclipse but without proper eyewear, here’s what to do if your eyes hurt .

The science: This eclipse appeared especially dramatic because the sun was at its most active period in two decades. In the past, solar eclipses have helped scientists learn more about the universe . Here’s everything else to know about the solar eclipse.

• Your ultimate guide to the total solar eclipse, its path and how to watch April 8, 2024 Your ultimate guide to the total solar eclipse, its path and how to watch April 8, 2024
• Here’s what not to do to safely watch the total solar eclipse April 5, 2024 Here’s what not to do to safely watch the total solar eclipse April 5, 2024
• Eclipse tourists should plan for overloaded cell networks April 2, 2024 Eclipse tourists should plan for overloaded cell networks April 2, 2024