Tips for Black and White Outdoor Photography

Outdoor photography is one of the greatest subjects to work with in regard to subject matter and opportunities for truly great shots. Add the aspect of black and white photographs to the mix and the results can be stunning and spectacular. Black and white photography, for many, represents a very pure and basic art form. With colors stripped away, the subject matter becomes the focal point of the picture and speaks for itself. The absence of color draws the viewers focus to the subject matter and holds the attention as details emerge in clean and crisp forms.

As with most all areas of photography, the digital camera has produced the ability and freedom to easily create a variety of images as never before. Where the 35mm photographer would need to carry multiple cameras loaded with different films, photographers can now achieve awesome results with one camera.

A for subject matter, the sky is figuratively and literally the limit. Remember that black and white photography can also seem as a doorway into another world. Take for instance a mushroom growing on the forest floor surrounded by pine needles and small leaves. A color photograph certainly captures the dull color of the fungi, the copper hues of the needles, and the shades of green on the leaves. It makes for a very nice picture. However, capture the same subject and setting as a black and white photo and you will instantly discover details perhaps missed before.

The symmetry and shape of the mushroom will jump to the fore front and will be the predominant subject even more so than when captured in color. Any small features will be more noticeable. The long shape of the needles and the patterns in which they landed will be more noticeable. The small leaves will reveal their intricate patterns and lines. I other words, smaller, and often unnoticed, details of a picture are accentuated and highlighted by stripping away the color and leaving only shades of black gray and white. Details come to life and the subject is clarified.