When you think of black and white photos, you might not think of phone photography right away. Some black and white photos can seem so powerfully artistic that it might seem impossible to believe that they came from a phone.
But black and white phone photos are not only doable, they’re pretty fun to create.
Of course, like anything simple and beautiful, there are quite a few techniques and tips to ensure your work is telling the story that you want it to. So here are five things (plus a bonus sixth at the bottom!) you should stay aware of, as you tell your story in powerful black and white!
Find Patterns
Black and white photography is incredible at reducing any distractions in an image, which really highlights bold shapes and can bring out even subtle patterns. Look for shadows, fabrics, and architectural features to draw the viewer’s eye and set the tone for your visual story.
Find Light
Yes, “find the light” applies to all aspects of photography. But it’s extra-important in black and white phone photos. Consider things like skin tone and the overall balance of shadows when shooting in black and white. Because this imagery can easily feel overly moody or dark, finding the light can help to balance the heaviness of the shadows.
Find Tone
What message or story do you want to tell with this image? Is it a refreshing feeling, a tragic end, or a contemplative landscape? As we noted above, contrast, lighting, and other style choices can quickly change the vibe of your story. Give some thought to how you want your audience to feel when they look at your images.
Find Your Settings
You might be surprised at how many people never look at the settings in your phone or camera! Maybe you’re one of them? If you’re planning on editing on a computer, decide what file format you’d like your photos saved as, and turn on the grid option to make the rule of thirds extra-simple.
Find Apps
There is no shortage of photo taking and editing apps for phone photography, and some of them just might have the presets and features you love to create your art. Even if you prefer to do all of your post-production work from scratch, these apps can give a spark to jumpstart your creativity.
Oh, and that bonus thing to find for your black and white phone photography? Inspiration. Search around for black and white photography that inspires, engages, or provokes you in some way.
What do you think the photographer did to capture that story?
Why does it make you feel the way you feel?