project black and white

I have been looking forward to this section for a while now, black and white photography is something I enjoy both looking at and trying to master.

Black and white photography has become more popular again in recent years, this I think is particularly true for portrait work especially babies, children and weddings.

Due to the lack of colour other factors become more important for example shape, form and proportion.

It will be interesting to see how my views of both black and white photographs and how I set about taking them changes over the course of this project and the connected exercises.

I have the complete guide to black and white digital photography by Michael Freeman which I intend to use as a starting point.  I have had a brief look through and can see plenty of information to help me on the various sliders and other adjustments I need to think about making, and also black and white hdr work.


In addition to my favourite old time photographers I have also looked at the work of some more contemporary photographers. One who caught my eye was German photographer Osman Balkan.
He photographs handsome men rather than the usual feminine portraits favoured by most photographers. His gritty pictures use little or nothing in the way of props but rely on lighting and expression for maximum effect. One of his photographs of Jaco Van Der Hovan where he appears to be looking directly at you is both mezmwerising and disturbing, I think the model has the viewer held captive with his piercing eyes, where as other photographs show the more vulnerable side of men.

I think this will be a very interesting section to complete.