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In a world filled with vivid color,
black-and-white photography may seem like a lost art. But a growing number
of people are embracing it for its beauty, drama, simplicity, and timelessness.
Whether you’re a beginning photographer or a seasoned shutterbug,
get back to basics and explore the wonderful world of black and white. |
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Color can sometimes be distracting or
unnecessary—and it can make your photos look dated instead of
timeless. Consider black and white (also referred to as monochrome)
when you want to avoid having your photos associated with a certain
time period (landscapes, architectural shots, and portraits).
When you’re striving for a timeless look, make sure there are
no clues in the shot that reveal the current era, such as street signs
or parked cars.
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Add drama and emotion to portraits |
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Make a portrait of a happy couple more touching
and nostalgic in black and white. Romantic occasions, such as weddings,
are ideal opportunities to experiment (and the black tuxes and white
gown take on a classic look in monochrome). One benefit of shooting
group portraits in black and white is that clashing clothing isn’t
a problem.
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HP cameras have an innovative feature that
allows you to add stunning effects to your photos. Design gallery is
so easy to use, and it’s a great tool for taking your black-and-white
photos to the next level. Here are some examples of what you can do:
- Apply special effects, such as Antique and Watercolor
- Add simple
and artistic photo borders
- Apply a subtle “slimming” effect
to subjects
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Makes photos look like art |
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Interesting textures and lines, statues,
architecture, or even a ramshackle barn can take on special beauty and
have a more dramatic impact in black and white. Details that are barely
noticeable in color become more prominent and poetic. And an image’s
composition and range of tones become the focus when you remove the
color.
Next time you see an ornate iron gate, lush oak tree, crumbling
old wall, or weathered wooden shed, try shooting it in black and white.
Or take color photos and convert them to black and white with image-editing
software so you can compare the two versions.
Remember to zoom in close enough to capture unique details instead of
always trying to fit an entire structure or object into the frame.
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Black-and-white photography also allows
you to highlight the juxtaposition of light and dark. For example, a
photo of someone dressed in light-colored clothing against a dark backdrop
becomes more stunning and dramatic in black and white.
The enhanced contrast of black and white also accentuates lines, textures,
and edges, making it a good choice for capturing landscapes (a jagged
mountain range, sand patterns in the desert, a stormy sky) and architecture
(a Gothic cathedral, ancient ruins, or a modern skyscraper with graphic
detail).
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Creating black-and-white prints |
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There are a couple of ways to create monochromatic
prints. One method is to use the image control functions on your HP
digital camera. Along with the color and black-and-white options, you
can choose sepia (a dark brown pigment) for an old-fashioned feel.
You can also use software like HP Image Zone (included with select
HP PCs, printers, and cameras) or HP Photosmart Essential (download
it for free) to convert color photos to black and white. (Your software
may refer to black and white as “grayscale.”) You can also
adjust brightness, contrast, and other settings to heighten the impact
of your pictures.
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Black-and-white photo fun |
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Award-winning
support |
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Related links |
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