By Jocelyn Kinder
Black and white photos present a challenge that many photographers enjoy. Color photos fade, but the nature of black and white film last much longer. Modern photographers enjoy black and white photography because of this. The black and white photograph is a medium that can easily be reproduced in fine art prints.
The advantages to taking black and white photos.
Students of photography are taught to use the black and white medium as a way to learn how to spot problems in the photos they take. Mistakes are much more apparent in photos without color.
When using black and white as your medium, it is necessary to learn how to develop your own film. All serious students should learn how to do this. The amateur photographer can take a color photograph and then use one of the software programs to change it to a grayscale image or a black and white image. Photos captured in black and white give the photographer, as well as the viewer a different perspective.
The advantages to taking black and white photos.
Students of photography are taught to use the black and white medium as a way to learn how to spot problems in the photos they take. Mistakes are much more apparent in photos without color.
When using black and white as your medium, it is necessary to learn how to develop your own film. All serious students should learn how to do this. The amateur photographer can take a color photograph and then use one of the software programs to change it to a grayscale image or a black and white image. Photos captured in black and white give the photographer, as well as the viewer a different perspective.
Creating moods in your photograph can be very pronounced when there is an absence of color. Lighting is essential and it can make different feelings. The lack of color can make objects appear sharper. The effect of this is dramatic.
How do I choose the right type of film to produce the photos that I want.
The ASA or the speed of the film that you choose will change how the image appears. Common speeds are 100 or 200 and these have a very small grain that produces smooth pictures. Using 3200 speed film will produce more grain and small particles that make up the emulsion and overall image. A little experimentation will give you a feel for the speed of film you want for your desired effect. When using black and white film, you will need to develop your own film.
Developing Your Own Black and White Film.
Even if you live in a small apartment, you can develop your own film. You need the film developer which is a powder that costs around six dollars, a place to mix the chemicals, good ventilation, a place to heat up the solution, and a place that is dark enough to develop the film. The film developer has mixing directions that are much like cooking and they are simple instructions.
When using common 35mm film, you will have a simple time and have the capability to enlarge to almost any size you want without messing up the photo's quality. You will also need reels to thread the film that you develop, which run about twenty dollars each. You will need containers that will effectively keep the light out of your developer. These should be stored in a dry and cool environment. Also, you will need to purchase fixer that will allow the film to open to light - this can be stored and reused. Handle this stuff carefully. A soap bath is the solution that you will make to develop and print your film. These should be carefully handled as well. You need a red light in your dark space for developing film. This light
How do I choose the right type of film to produce the photos that I want.
The ASA or the speed of the film that you choose will change how the image appears. Common speeds are 100 or 200 and these have a very small grain that produces smooth pictures. Using 3200 speed film will produce more grain and small particles that make up the emulsion and overall image. A little experimentation will give you a feel for the speed of film you want for your desired effect. When using black and white film, you will need to develop your own film.
Developing Your Own Black and White Film.
Even if you live in a small apartment, you can develop your own film. You need the film developer which is a powder that costs around six dollars, a place to mix the chemicals, good ventilation, a place to heat up the solution, and a place that is dark enough to develop the film. The film developer has mixing directions that are much like cooking and they are simple instructions.
When using common 35mm film, you will have a simple time and have the capability to enlarge to almost any size you want without messing up the photo's quality. You will also need reels to thread the film that you develop, which run about twenty dollars each. You will need containers that will effectively keep the light out of your developer. These should be stored in a dry and cool environment. Also, you will need to purchase fixer that will allow the film to open to light - this can be stored and reused. Handle this stuff carefully. A soap bath is the solution that you will make to develop and print your film. These should be carefully handled as well. You need a red light in your dark space for developing film. This light
Even if you live in a small apartment, you can develop your own film. You need the film developer which is a powder that costs around six dollars, a place to mix the chemicals, good ventilation, a place to heat up the solution, and a place that is dark enough to develop the film. The film developer has mixing directions that are much like cooking and they are simple instructions.
When using common 35mm film, you will have a simple time and have the capability to enlarge to almost any size you want without messing up the photo's quality. You will also need reels to thread the film that you develop, which run about twenty dollars each. You will need containers that will effectively keep the light out of your developer. These should be stored in a dry and cool environment. Also, you will need to purchase fixer that will allow the film to open to light - this can be stored and reused. Handle this stuff carefully. A soap bath is the solution that you will make to develop and print your film. These should be carefully handled as well. You need a red light in your dark space for developing film. This light will make the chemical turn a blueish color if it goes bad during developing. Keep the soap bath well ventilated before it is opened. Setting up your own developing chamber is not expensive or expensive, as you can see. Do follow directions carefully.
When using common 35mm film, you will have a simple time and have the capability to enlarge to almost any size you want without messing up the photo's quality. You will also need reels to thread the film that you develop, which run about twenty dollars each. You will need containers that will effectively keep the light out of your developer. These should be stored in a dry and cool environment. Also, you will need to purchase fixer that will allow the film to open to light - this can be stored and reused. Handle this stuff carefully. A soap bath is the solution that you will make to develop and print your film. These should be carefully handled as well. You need a red light in your dark space for developing film. This light will make the chemical turn a blueish color if it goes bad during developing. Keep the soap bath well ventilated before it is opened. Setting up your own developing chamber is not expensive or expensive, as you can see. Do follow directions carefully.