Quick Tips for Black and White Photography
While taking photographs in color is often a common choice, black and white photography often affords interesting results. The following points are quick tips for black and white photography.
1. There are a number of different file formats [negative sizes are listed]: 35mm (1″ x 1″), medium format- 120 (2″ x 2 “), and large format (4″ x 5″). Beginning photographers generally use a 35mm SLR (single-lens reflex) camera. This type of camera lets the photographer view and focus the subject directly through the lens.
2. There are different film speeds for different situations; film speeds are rated by an ASA (American Standards Association) number. For brightly lit subjects, a slow film such as 32 ASA is used; slow film produces fine grain negatives. Outdoor photographers will typically use a medium film speed such as 125 ASA, and that produces medium grain negatives. A fast film speed, such as 400 ASA is best for indoor use, and produces coarse grain negatives.
3. You can control the amount of light entering the lens by changing the aperture. F-stop settings are a measurement of the size of the lens opening. Small F-stop numbers mean a larger lens opening, allowing more light in. Large F-stop numbers mean a smaller opening, allowing less light in. Typical F-stop range: 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22.
4. Focal length is a measure of the lens size, measured in mm. For a lens with a longer focal length, the angle of view is narrower. A short focal length has a wider angle of view. The following are lens types and their focal lengths: normal (50mm), wide angle (21-35mm), and telephoto (105-300mm).
5. The shutter speed determines the time the film is exposed to light. The faster the shutter speed, the less time light is exposed to the film. A slow shutter speed means that the film is being exposed to light for a longer amount of time. The following are shutter speeds: B, T, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500, 1000. You can determine the time the shutter is open by placing a 1 over each number to get a fraction. For example, 2 means the shutter is open for on half of a second
6. The B stands for bulb, and the T stands for time. Bulb means that the shutter will stay open for the amount of time you are pressing the button down. Time will keep the shutter open until you press the button again.
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