Alex,2017 I’ve recently finished doing a very creative shoot as a San Antonio Photographer in Texas. A shoot that got my creative juices flowing.

Not only did my subject carry an unmatchable style but the best part was that we opted to explore black and white photography. It’s easy to throw photos into Photoshop to make colors pop but when you work black and white, you really have to consider what ‘feel’ you’re going for. Even though you are working in monochrome, your use of contrast, shadows and light becomes paramount in communicating your message.

First, no other medium makes a subject look more attractive. Because you have the whole alternate reality thing going on in the shot with its creative atmosphere, it’s easy to perfect tones and get the emotion” just right”. If you want a somber look, you can use a film noir effect where the shadows are predominant, minimal light. By manipulating the channels, you can create a more vintage black and white look, smoothing out skin tones and highlighting features. Lighten up the shot to give a low opacity kind of feel to the subject, it’s almost as if they’re angelic. Your travel photography can come alive seemingly eras before.

In the end, once you have the feel to your black and white photo, the variations you can apply are limitless. Try adding light colored filters for a unusual feel or to match the look you’re going for. Nothing says vintage more than a tad of sepia. Including a little grain in your shot can add quite the old school feel too.

Sometimes I think there’s more freedom in shooting in black and white because the shot then becomes timeless. Not based on any modern-day fad but more so, in all its raw beauty. The shot doesn’t have to compete with colors to keep your attention and we see it so simply, we see it how it’s supposed to be seen. Black and white is a lifestyle choice sometimes, a veritable “when the spirit moves you” sort of thing. I’m not saying I don’t love color photography but it’s always nice to delve into the world of black and white and I love the results, every time. Try it again for the first time, it excited me, even a tenured San Antonio Photographer that I am, I had to blog about it.