INTRODUCTION: Week 5

WEEK 5: Black and White Photography

The focus of this week's project is all about creating black and white photographs. There is a lecture for you to watch that details different lighting scenarios, tips and tricks for composing black and white photographs. The lecture also covers a brief history of the development of of the camera, the negative and the photographic image, including what the Zone System is and how that applies to photographing the entire greyscale tonal value range. 

In the lecture and demos, I also go over the difference between photographing in camera using the "monochrome" or black and white setting (including for smartphone apps) and converting color images to black and white in post production. 

• The best way to create black and white photographs, is to do it from in camera. Meaning, you intentionally create your photographs in monochrome, rather than create photographs in color and process them in black and white in Photoshop or Lightroom or another post production software.

• If you are using a smartphone, it is a good idea to download a Black and White app that also gives you manual camera controls to get the most out of creating black and white photographs.

  This website: The best black-and-white photo apps for iOS and Android  is very helpful. I personally like the Lenka app.

 

TO DO CHECKLIST:

1. Look through this week's module:

   • WEEK 5 - Black and White Photography
     There are several lectures, demos, and resources on creating black and white photographs

2. Complete this week's project Class Activity:
   • CLASS ACTIVITY: Black and White Photography (DUE 2/6)
     • This week, you will create 5 photographs that explore specific subject matter within black and white photography

 

EXTRA CREDIT OPTION:

• EXTRA CREDIT: Attend a Lecture and Respond 
  There is another lecture coming up this week on Monday, January 31st. Anna Von Mertens Links to an external site. is giving a lecture at the North Seattle College Art Gallery.