Nature Photography Photo Workshop

8.2. CHOOSING SUBJECT MATTER FOR BLACK AND WHITE

Some subject matter is better than others for black-and-white nature photography. Rocky outcrops, flowing water, dramatic skies, and craggy trees are good examples because they are tone- and shape-based objects. Look for natural scenes with

• a wide range of tones from very bright to very dark

• strong graphic shapes such as silhouettes and geometric objects

• strong three-dimensional forms with dramatic side- or backlighting

• strong patterns and textures

• simple compositions with clean divisions between elements

8.2.1. VISUAL CUES

The brain derives a lot of information from color — remove it and visual relationships can become muddled. Unlike color photos, black-and-white photos rely entirely on the visual cues provided by graphic and tonal relationships in the image. Subject matter that reliably makes a good candidate for black-and-white photos contains strong visual elements that provide clues to the viewer without relying on color. An example of a photo that relies heavily on color components for visual information and therefore doesn't translate well to black and white is illustrated in 8-5 and 8-6.

Figure 8-3. ABOUT THIS PHOTO Image of "moki marbles" in Harris Wash, Escalante National Monument, Utah (ISO 100, f/16, 1/60 sec. with a Canon EF 17-40mm L lens). The geometric shapes of the stones, the texture of the surrounding rock, and the lines created by the arrangement of the stones within the rock crevices are strong graphic elements ...