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Most photographers shoot solely
in color, but we’d bet there are a good many who stick to black and white.
The dedication to black and white among art, fashion, editorial, commercial,
and avid amateur photographers continues to grow, aided by new films,
more accessible processing, and the new potential for printing afforded
by the digital darkroom. Throughout the history of the craft black and
white has held great importance. To those who collect photography it remains
the medium of choice. And to those who seek greater realms of expression,
the art and craft of black and white can be a lifetime’s endeavor.
Today there are numerous routes
into black and white, ones that you can take with any camera. The major
film manufacturers continue to bring out new black and white emulsions,
including a new Delta 400 from Ilford. But there’s another option for
everyone who does not have access to a black and white darkroom or lab,
and that’s the chromogenic films for virtually every format. This is actually
a color type film that records only in black and white. These films can
be processed in color chemicals in any minilab or major photofinishing
plant. Kodak offers Select B+W 400, T400CN Professional, and even a film
for Advanced Photo System format, Advantix B+W. Ilford has XP-2 400 and
Konica offers monochrome VX400.
When the labs print from this
film (which you can also print yourself in your home darkroom or scan
for use in the digital darkroom) you can get prints in virtually any color
caste you want, from neutral to sepia to blue. That’s because they print
on color paper.
To get a sense of the real
power of black and white take the time to look at prints in galleries
and museums. Study the way the tonal values interact with the subject
matter and how they offer an entirely new view of the world. Go to the
library and get books that feature the work of the masters of the medium,
including Ansel Adams, Minor White, Aaron Siskind, Henri Cartier-Bresson,
Paul Strand, Eugene Smith, Robert Frank, and others. This can be a great
way to study how black and white affects the ways in which a subject can
be perceived. Consider the artistic controls and creative choices these
photographers have made. As you begin to make images yourself you’ll see
how deliberate choices and an educated eye can have a very important effect
on the visual and emotional impact each image can make.
All this adds up to some real
photo excitement. As you explore the medium you’ll begin to see how you
can change the character of your image and subject by the way you choose
contrast, the relationship of black, white and grays in the image, and
how toning and selective exposure in printing can enhance the mood of
every scene.
With all this in mind we offer
our Special Section on The Exciting World of Black and White Imaging.
We start out with 10 Tips for Terrific Black and White and follow up with
features on lighting and other creative enhancement techniques. We are
also very proud to feature the work of David Plowden, who has dedicated
his life to photography in his chosen medium of black and white.
So the next time you go out
and buy a few rolls of film, consider picking up some black and white.
Load up your camera with black and white and prepare to see the world
in an entirely different way. And for those of you who have already taken
the plunge, consider expanding your creative possibilities with some of
the tips we offer here.
--The Editors
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