Laowa is teasing the launch of a new lens. I know this is the 28mm f/1.2 FE lens that they already displayed as a prototype at the CP+ show! I also got additional info from my source which I included here: Specs summary: Laowa 28mm f/1.2 Full Frame E-mount manual focus lens construction is 13…
Black and white photography is a rewarding and challenging field of artistic photography. Even people who don’t care about photography can find themselves drawn to a great black and white image. As a photographer, black and white can allow you to discover a whole new character in a familiar subject. For many digital photographers, black and white photography is nothing more than colour photography converted by software. It is a matter for your own judgement whether this is effective for your photographs.




Photo by Bradley Johnson.
Often the image you assume will convert beautifully to black and white will prove a disappointment; sometimes a photo you never imagined will surprise you. However, most serious photographers will tell you that the best black and white photos are taken when the photographer deliberately sets out with black and white images in mind. This creates an entirely different mindset in terms of how you choose and approach your subject. You may, for example, start to see potential in subjects you would never normally consider for colour photography.
If you have never had a serious go at black and white photography, here are a few simple tips to help you get started.
Black And White Photography Tip #1. Choosing A Subject. Some subjects lend themselves to colour but are not nearly so effective in black and white. For example, sunset photographs rely on the colour of a great sky for their impact, and rarely produce a good black and white image. Colourful birds, flowers, fashion…there are many times when the only logical approach is to shoot your subject in colour. On the other hand, some subjects are ideally suited to black and white photography.
Because this is an ‘old-fashioned’ medium, it often works well with old-fashioned subjects. Rustic items like old farm equipment, a tumble-down shack, an old wooden fence can all be great subjects for black and white photos.
When photographing people, age can also be a factor. A close-up portrait of an aged face showing all the lines and creases of their years on earth can have much greater impact in black and white.
This can only be a short article, so these examples are just the tip of the iceberg. You will find many great subject once you start thinking in black and white.




Photo by Patrick Bouquet; ISO 1600, f/4, 1/4000 exposure.
Black And White Photography Tip #2. ‘Seeing’ Your Subject In Black And White. When you first approach your subject, you need to imagine how it will look without colour. Try to look at it in terms of lines and shapes, shadows and contrasts. You will begin to see your subjects in a whole new light. You may even find yourself zooming in on a particular feature, or photographing the subject from an angle you might never have considered in the past. One thing is for sure; once you get into the ‘black and white headspace’ your camera will express the character of the subject in an entirely different way.
Black And White Photography Tip #3. Use The Light To Enhance Impact. Because a black and white photo relies so much on shadows to define shapes and details, your approach to lighting can make or break an image. As a nature photographer, I often photograph black and white photos quite differently from colour photos.
You have probably heard the rule that the best landscape photography is done early or late in the day when the sun is low and the light is soft and even. Well, in black and white photography I often look for just the opposite. To create better definition in a subect I will often take my photos through the middle part of the day, to create heavier shadows to emphasise the lines and shapes in the composition. I am also more inclined to take photos looking directly toward the sun, to produce silhouettes that make the most of trees, windmills and other strong shapes against the sky.
Earlier I mentioned a portrait of a very old person. If it is the lines on a face that give the image its character, you need to make sure the lighting is from an angle that produces shadows in the creases. Thus you may be looking for lighting in a black and white photograph that would be considered unflattering and unsuitable for a colour photograph.




Photo by Giuseppe Milo; ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/500 exposure.
So there you have three very simple tips for black and white photography. Notice that they are all about the creative approach, not about settings and camera techniques. In fact most of the time, black and white requires no different technical expertise than colour photography. To take better black and white photographs, you don’t necessarily need to change the way you use your camera. Instead, you are looking to change the way you see the subject, and how you can use light, shade and composition to capture the character that black and white photography has to offer.
If you love photography and want to stretch your horizons, I am sure you will enjoy experimenting with black and white. It may open your eyes to aspects of your world that have never turned you on before. Good luck and happy snapping!
About the Author:
Andrew Goodall writes for https://naturesimage.com.au/ and is a nature photographer based in Australia. He manages a gallery in Montville full of landscape photography from throughout Australia.
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The post Black & White Photography Techniques appeared first on PictureCorrect.
The previously rumored Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2 full-frame manual focus lens for Nikon Z-mount from Venus Optics is expected to be officially announced next week:
The Venus Optics Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2 full-frame manual focus lens for Nikon Z-mount was on display during the 2023 CP+ show in Japan:
Two new lenses for Nikon Z-mount spotted at the 2023 CP+ show in Japan
See all Laowa lenses for Nikon Z-mount at the official Venus Optics website.
The post Venus Optics to release a new Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2 full-frame manual focus lens for Nikon Z-mount next week appeared first on Nikon Rumors.
The FUJINON Duvo HZK25-1000mm F2.8-F5.0 PL Mount Cinema Box Lens that was first teased back in October 2022 has now started to ship. We got a first look at the lens at Interbee Japan in November last year. This lens was designed to offer users the highest combination of magnification and telephoto reach for large … Continued
The post FUJINON Duvo HZK25-1000mm F2.8-F5.0 PL Mount Cinema Box Lens now shipping appeared first on Newsshooter.
The KipperTie RISA R-XL was designed specifically for the RED V-RAPTOR XL. The Risa R-XL is equipped with a high-quality passive pass-through for the top data pins. This makes the Risa R-XL the only solution that is fully compatible with RED’s original handle accessories and monitor mount. All of the precision gold-plated pogo pins are … Continued
The post KipperTie RISA R-XL Full top plate for RED V-Raptor XL appeared first on Newsshooter.
KipperTie has announced its new Revolva E-PL mount and Adapta E-PL mounts. These look like good solutions for anyone who wants to run PL glass on a Sony FX3, or FX30. Revolva E-PL mount The Revolva E/PL not only allows you to use PL lenses on a Sony E mount camera but it also provides … Continued
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People have mixed feelings as far as suspension bridges are concerned. Some don’t care and simply cross it, while for others it is no less than a thrilling adventure. In any case, we must admit that they surely are spectacular. While crossing it is one thing, standing on it admiring the beautiful view whilst the bridge sways slightly with the wind is another extraordinary experience. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart though. Photographer Nico Schuth shot this rather unusual image of the Geierlay suspension bridge in Sosberg, Germany and we can agree that even those who loath suspension bridges would love to get on this one:




“Suspension Bridge at Night Lit by LED Lights” by Nico Schuth (Via Reddit. Click image to see full size.)
The composition on this image is quite simple, yet really effective. With the suspension bridge placed right on the center, Schuth has created a leading line that draws the viewers right into the image. And considering that he took the image at night, there’s darkness all around giving it a kind of creepy feel. To illuminate the bridge, Schuth and his team themselves placed the LED lights on it.
“It took us around 3 hours. The bridge is 360m long and each cable is 10m long. So we needed 72 in total.”
Would you dare to cross the bridge in pitch darkness?
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The post Interesting Photo of the Day: Suspension Bridge at Night appeared first on PictureCorrect.
Australian startup Flux Group has unveiled its Flux Keyboard, a transparent keyboard with an integrated display that adapts to its user. The Flux Keyboard is claimed to combine the speed and precision of a mechanical keyboard with the adaptability of an embedded display. The Flux Keyboard’s display gives its users the ability to show any … Continued
The post Flux Keyboard – A transparent keyboard with integrated display that adapts to its user appeared first on Newsshooter.
Rumors from the Chinese social network Weibo suggest that Samyang will soon announce a new 35-150mm f/2.0-2.8 mirrorless lens for Sony E-mount. The specifications should be similar or identical to the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD lens for Sony E-mount:
The upcoming Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD lens is huge
The post New Samyang 35-150mm f/2.0-2.8 mirrorless lens to be announced soon appeared first on Photo Rumors.