Black and white portraits can be powerful, timeless works of art. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to get the most from your subjects in this style, focusing on lighting to create dramatic contrast.
Lighting is crucial; try using split lighting or Rembrandt-lighting patterns for high contrast and rapid tone gradations. Also, during editing, be sure to manage the tone and luminance of your images using sliders or other controls in software.
Pay Attention
You must focus on your subject and capture their expression. Even if you get all the lighting, composition, and camera settings perfect, like in Meg Bitton Photography, you will only have a great portrait if you catch your subject’s expressive and captivating expression. This requires empathy and communication – talk to your topic (small talk is great), ensure they are engaged, and hone in on specific facial features like a raised eyebrow or twitch at the corner of their mouth.
Black and white photography relies heavily on tone to convey feeling. Compositional elements like tonal contrast, where a light subject is placed against a dark background, and texture, where smooth skin contrasts with rough clothing textures, can add depth and drama to your portrait. You can play with this during editing, using the Tone and Contrast sliders to add contrast and details.
Focus on the Eyes
The eyes are the focal point of any portrait, essential in black-and-white photographs. The eyes are expressive and convey various emotions, from curiosity and happiness to sadness and anger. They are also a great way to establish a connection with your subject and make them feel comfortable in front of the camera.
To highlight the model’s eyes, use a smaller aperture to create a narrow plane of focus. This ensures that the model’s eyes are sharp and in perfect direction. Many camera models have a “spot focus” feature that locks in on the model’s eyes, which can be particularly helpful when shooting handheld or with subjects in motion.
It is also important to avoid light spills and stray light in your black-and-white portraits, as this can cause unwanted shadows. Using a black-painted v-flat or placing a piece of black card behind your subject’s head can help eliminate this problem.
Make Your Subject Feel Comfortable
Despite the timeless beauty of black and white portraits, it’s still difficult for many people to feel comfortable in front of a camera. The best way to ensure your subjects feel comfortable is to talk to them before you take their photos. Make small talk, ask them questions, and show that you’re genuinely interested in them as individuals. This will help them open up, making it much easier to capture genuine expressions.
Choosing the right light is also essential, especially for black-and-white portraits. High contrast can create impact and mood, while low-contrast images can be softer and flatter. To achieve a high-contrast effect, try using a snoot or bare flash, or head out during midday to get some harsh sunlight.
Once you’ve captured your subject, the editing process is where you can transform their image. Use the Contrast and Brightness sliders to adjust how dramatic or subtle your image feels, and use the Shadows slider to reveal detail without making the photo look flat.
Create a Rapport
Getting your subjects to look at you with a twinkle in their eye and a soft smile makes portraits stand out, but that requires a certain level of comfort. Putting your model in a pose that’s physically or psychologically uncomfortable will make it difficult for them to achieve the desired expression. It can negate all of the rapport you’ve built until that point.
You can do a few things to help your subjects feel more at ease, such as sharing stories about yourself and joking around with them (if appropriate). It also helps to find common ground between you and your subject, such as pets, hobbies, musical tastes, or travel experiences.
Another great way to create a more natural look is by emphasizing texture. The absence of color in black and white can highlight textures in skin, hair, clothing, and other accessories, allowing your subject to stand out.
