Many photographers specialize in black and white photography due to its sheer power, elegance, and beauty. However, black and white photography isn’t simply color photography with black and white film (or a black and white digital setting). Black and white photography has its own set of rules and conventions, requiring unique approaches to mood, contrast, and tone since color isn’t present to set emphasis or mood.
The Importance of Tonal Range
Tones are the most important element of black and white photography. As humans, we generally perceive colors without actively thinking about their tonal range. When we see light blue and yellow, we see distinct colors. But in a black and white photograph, light blue and yellow may appear nearly identical in tone, creating a flat, indistinct image without careful tonal management.
Take a look at this color photograph:
Now notice the difference when the same photograph is converted to black and white. The result is flat and unremarkable due to similar tones across the color spectrum, which results in a lackluster black and white image:
As a black and white photographer, you’ll need to train yourself to see the world in tones. Consider the range of tones from dark to light (known as tonal range) and focus on whites and blacks to create visually compelling images. Shadows now take on added significance since colors won’t provide contrast, and other methods of emphasis will need to be used to highlight subjects and details.
Understanding Tonal Range
Tonal range refers to the span of tones between the lightest and darkest parts of an image. A wide tonal range includes deep blacks and bright whites, while a narrow tonal range leans toward mid-range greys. Here’s a visual representation of a tonal range spectrum:
Consider this tonal scale as the “color palette” for black and white photography. Practice identifying lightest and darkest tones in your surroundings. Is the room predominantly light, dark, or filled with varied greys? The most engaging black and white photos often contain both extremes of this spectrum rather than just mid-tones.
The Histogram: A Valuable Tool
The histogram, found in many digital cameras and editing software like Adobe Photoshop, provides a graphical representation of tonal range in an image. It’s a powerful tool for black and white photographers, allowing precise control over tones.
In Photoshop, you can view the histogram under “Image > Adjustments > Levels.” Here’s what the Levels box looks like:
On the left, dark tones are represented, while light tones are on the right, with mid-tones in the center. The height of the bars represents the number of pixels of each tone. A wide tonal range with peaks in both dark and light tones often indicates a more visually dynamic image.
Tonal Range vs. Tonal Balance
While a wide tonal range is desirable, tonal balance (equal representation across all tones) is not necessary and can even detract from the visual appeal. Look at the example below, where shadows and dark tones dominate the image but with enough light tones to add range:
In this portrait, dark tones dominate with enough white highlights (eyes, lips, cheeks) to create a wide tonal range, even though it’s unbalanced. Achieving tonal range often trumps striving for perfect tonal balance.
The Difference Between Color and Black and White Photography
Here’s another example showing the difference between color perception and tonal reality. Observe this color image with bright yellow and green:
Once converted to black and white, the photograph becomes less distinct because of its narrow tonal range. What appeared bright and colorful becomes flat and monotonous in black and white:
This illustrates that black and white photography requires attention to tones rather than colors. To achieve compelling black and white photography, aim for high tonal range, including strong blacks and whites, and avoid relying on colors alone for contrast.
This lesson encourages you to deepen your ability to see in tones, recognize tonal range, and use histograms as aids to create powerful, engaging black and white images. Happy shooting!