BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

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March 14, 2002

That's only half of it. The other half is artistic; the art of composing a photograph. The first step is a change in thinking:
(a) Making photographs versus taking photographs.
(b) Photography is about light and nothing but light.

Making photographs requires developing skills with mentally visualizing the desired photograph before picking up the camera and putting its viewfinder to the eye. It begins with defining why you are making the photograph and who its intended viewers are. There are many books available about image composition and techniques that can be used. A large library or bookstore should have at least a half-dozen books on the subject of composition. Look for ones that explain how light, lines, shapes, textures, perspectives and other objects can be used and arranged to create a visually aesthetic image that conveys the intended "message" to its intended viewers. Then practice, practice and practice again at using these tools with B/W film.

-- John

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March 15, 2002

I believe the first step in improving your B/W photos would be to enlarge them yourself. Get set-up at home or join a community center or a photo club. By doing it yourself you have total control over contrast, you can dodge or burn or soften specific areas, you can crop, you can use toners such as sepia, copper and countless others to dramatically change the looks of the final image.

I recommend a book called:
B/W PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING WORKSHOP. It's published by SILVER PIXEL PRESS. A truly amazing book.

On a technical note, use Kodak Technical Pan.

Hope it helps.

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May 15, 2002