Basic Black and White Photography Techniques
Despite the richness of color photographs, black and white photography was never forgotten, and it will never be. In fact, it always stood as strong as it was before the colors were introduced. It is still creating great moods that are not possible in color, and is still being embraced by many.

Working with black and white photographs is quite different from colored ones. Highlights and shadows play greater roles, and there is no color balance to worry about. The only colors available are the shades of grays from white to black, hence the word “Grayscale”. In this type of photography, the lack of color means that shapes and lighting must work together effectively to make the different elements of the photograph recognizable.

While most digital cameras provide the option to shoot directly in black and white, it is strongly advisable to shoot in color. The reason is that the color information stored with the image is useful when editing with a photo editing software, such as Photoshop, as it allows adjusting the tones of the black and white photograph based on the color of the object. In Photoshop (as well as many other similar software), there are a lot of different techniques used to convert a color photograph into a good black and white one. In this article, we will have a quick look on some of these techniques and the differences between them.

There is just one thing you should do before converting your image into black and white, and that is to check the color levels/ Choose Layer>New Adjustmnent Layer>Levels. This allows you to control the histogram, so as to make sure that all blacks and whites are represented reasonably at both extremes. If not, then adjustment of the levels will be needed to avoid a faded looking photograph. This can be done after the conversion, but it is usually better to be in the beginning.

The most basic of all the conversion techniques is to directly and automatically convert your image to grayscale. This can be done by choosing Image > Mode > Grayscale. It is quick and easy, but the results are not usually good, as adjacent colors could be translated to the same shade of gray, resulting a flat image with a somewhat low contrast. This method also discards all the color information, which means that you will not be able to enhance the contrast or the gray shades using the colors of the objects.

A better conversion method is done by using a black and white adjustment layer. Choose Layer>New Adjustment Layer>Black & White. This method allows you to control the way individual colors are converted. In the adjustment panel, you will have several options to adjust the color conversions. The preset menu will let you choose a predefined or a saved grayscale mix. Selecting automatic mix will make the program study the color values within your picture, so as to make the best distribution of the gray values. Usually the results are good, but they can be fine tuned using the color sliders. These sliders adjust the gray tones of the colors available inside the image.

A similar, but more common, method is to use the channel mixer. It allows the values of the different color channels to be mixed, providing a lot of combinations. It can be reached by choosing Image>Adjustments>Channel Mixer. While having the monochrome checkbox checked, changing the percentage values of the three color channels (Red, Green, and Blue) will change the gray tones replacing the different colors of your photo. Basically, high percentage of red will give a light gray shade to red objects; the same goes with blue and yellow. If other colors need to be lightened or darkened, an understanding of color combinations might be needed. Otherwise, experiment using the sliders and looking at the preview photo. In general, channels work as color filters; they make the elements of close related colors brighter, and those of complementary colors darker. The constant slider is used to fine tune your image to make it darker or brighter as a whole. Just don't forget to avoid clippings.

Black and whites usually look better at higher contrasts. While the previous methods will normally produce high contrast photos, the effect can be increased using curves (which does the same work with levels, but with visual controls). Choose Layer>New Adjustment Layer>Curves. This will give you control over all the shades in your photo. It can also be used to enhance the low-key or high-key lighting conditions, which are very popular in black and white photography.

These techniques should be enough get you started working with black and white photography. So, give it a try and see what effect does it have on your photos.  

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Rule of Thirds For Your Canvas Art Print

Composition and The Rule of Thirds 

We are compiling different articles to help you create a great image to present on your canvas prints. Keep checking back to increase you knowledge base!

Knowledge of the rule of thirds can dramatically increase the frequency in which other people find your photographic images pleasing to the eye. Historically it has been noted that photographs where the main subject, horizon or the point in the picture that you want a persons eye drawn to is positioned using the rule of thirds it is generally more pleasing to the eye.

To understand the rule of thirds just take an A4 piece of paper and draw 2 vertical lines that divide it into equal thirds then repeat the process with 2 horizontal lines. You will end up with some thing that looks like a naughts and crosses game.

Now imagine that the piece of paper is the view finder in your camera. The lines themselves and the points where they intersect are the powerful points in an image.

Being aware of the rule of thirds will prompt you to analise your subject and try to identify what is the most interesting feature that you are trying to capture.

Following are some ideas that may help you apply the rule of thirds:

1. Position the horizon on the top line or the bottom line of a seascape or landscape in the view finder.If the most intriging aspect of the image is the sky use the bottom line, if the land or sea is the dynamic factor use the top line.
2. For a portrait try positioning the subjects eyes on or near to the top line.
3. Use a point where the lines intersect to position the feature of main interest in your picture.
4. When a person is on the beach or out in the open when photographing them try positioning them looking into the image on one of the vertical lines.
 

Have a look at some of your own images and see if by cropping them using your knowledge of the rule of thirds you can make them more pleasing to the eye.

Finally, dont let the rule of thirds stand in the way of your inner creativity. Rules can be broken if you have good reason.
 
Have a look at the two photos below and see if you can pick out how the rule of thirds has been used in composition.

Please remember that all images on this website have are copyrighted, but you can contact us about purchasing the images as canvas photo prints.

GET THE BEST OUT OF YOUR COMPACT CAMERA

We are compiling different articles to help you create a great image to present on your canvas prints. Keep checking back to increase you knowledge base!

It is becoming more and more common to find people who have a camera  tucked away somewhere in their luggage, or handbag when they are away on holidays or attending a special occasion. There are some very useful tips to consider when using your compact camera to get the very best finished product. Particularly if you want to print your images or enlarge them on photo paper or even turn them into a canvas photo print.
 
Set Your Camera Up For the Best Results

One of the biggest problems we see when printing canvas print is great images with a low file size. Most people will set their compact camera  up to take the most number of photos possible for the card size or memory stick. The drawback with this is it produces the smallest file size for each image, this is o.k if you only want to preview them on a computer screen, digital photo frame or television. In the case you get that fantastic photo, you become very limited with your options if it is a small file size.
 
Memory sticks and cards are so cost effective these days, it is really worth setting you camera to the highest quality it can take, so on the chance you get that amazing photo you can enlarge it to whatever size you like. Normally the process of setting up you camera is fairly simple. It is just a case of going into the camera set up via the main menu, then looking for the largest image size and finest resolution. Then setting it to the lowest possible number of pictures and the 'fine' setting. Simply take the time to have a look in the instruction book to figure out how. If all else falls go into your local photo shop and ask for help. I'm confident they would be more than willing to help you out and they may even give you a few other tips about your camera while you are there. If you are away on holidays go into the local photo shop where you are staying and they may even be able tell you the best time of day and location to take great landscape shots of the region you are staying in.
Keep a few extra memory cards or sticks available, in case you run out of room on your existing card or stick.
 
Avoid Using Large Memory Cards

There may be a chance that your memory card or stick is corrupt and normally you don't usually find out until you try to download the images. We highly recommend not having cards larger than 1GB or 2GB, but always keep several on hand so. If you have a selection of smaller cards, chances are you are more likely to download the photos. When the photos are downloaded you can have a closer look at them. Discard the ones that are no good, have a closer look at the good ones. If it is a good image, have a closer look and consider getting them printed. Remember to keep your photos neatly filed so that you can go back and find them. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to find that 'special' shot on your camera or computer and having to go through hundreds of photos and still no being able to find the one you want. We also recommend that you back up all your files including your photo files.
If you find that you have a corrupt memory card or stick, there are programs available to help you recover the data, but this is not always possible. So keep several smaller cards at hand and download regularly.
 
Conclusion

We recommend that you always set your card to the best possible photo quality that your camera is able to produce. What ever you spent on your digital camera make sure you are recording the largest file size possible and therefore getting the highest quality image files it can produce. Use smaller memory cards or sticks on hand and download regularly. If you are looking for more tips on how to take photos and get the best out of your camera, please go to Canvas Prints Online.

Please remember that all images on this website have are copyrighted, but you can contact us about purchasing the images as canvas photo prints.

CANVAS PHOTO PRINTS - USING LINES AND SHAPES IN YOUR PHOTOS

We are compiling different articles to help you create a great image to present on your canvas prints. Keep checking back to increase you knowledge base!

Photos are about individual preferences, but there are a few key rules of photo composition that can help build the foundation of an interesting photo that you can print on canvas. One of the key elements to look for when composing a photo is 'lines and different shapes’. It is helpful to train your eyes to look for lines and shapes. They can be a powerful building block that can lead to a dynamic impact on your image. Lines and shapes are helpful in adding mood and atmosphere to your finished product or creating a desired effect. They can be useful in either leading the eye's to a part of your image, or leading the eyes from one part to another.

Using lines and shapes takes a little practice and it is often beneficial to go back through previous photos you have taken to see what has worked and what hasn't worked. Have a look for vertical lines, horizontal lines, shapes and diagonal lines.

Horizontal Lines in Your Image

Horizontal lines can be powerful in creating photos that are calming, tranquil and peaceful. They can have the ability to convey stability and restfulness. An example of this would be a foal sleeping in flowers or a romantic couple laying in long grass. The most common horizontal lines to be found in photographs are generally horizons, but be careful not to run the horizon directly through the centre of the photograph dividing the equal amounts of the sky and landscapes. This may often have a adverse effect and possibly create a dull image. Although this is not always the case. It is good practice to pick out the more impressive part of your scene, for example sunsets with interesting or dramatic clouds. Also keep in mind that broken horizons may lead to a dull feeling photograph.

If you want to add rhythm to your photo, look for layers of horizontal lines, for example layers of breaking surf or layers of rolling waves. The rhythm can than become the focus or subject of the image itself.
Another good tip when using horizontal lines is to try it to try to keep the lines square with the edges of you frame and to also shoot your image in a horizontal format. Adding horizontal lines into your image can really make a difference to how your photo print to canvas will enhance the mood.


First photo: Horizontal lines in a beach photo. Second photo: Use of both horizontal lines & silhouetted shape


Vertical Lines in Your Image

Vertical lines can convey a variety of different moods from grandeur and dignity to power, strength, rigidity and growth. Objects such as trees and buildings represent horizontal lines. Combined with horizontal lines they can create a strong, dynamic and powerful picture. If you really want to emphasize the dynamics of the vertical line, try taking your photos in a vertical plane. Although, as with all photography this is not always the rule. If you want the lines to appear as if they are moving out of the top of the picture, it then becomes useful to leave your camera in a landscape format. Take your photo so that the lines move from the top to the bottom of your picture.


Two very different photos showing use of vertical lines in a photo
Trees Photo: Norm Neilson


Diagonal Lines in Your Image

Diagonal lines that are used in your photo are often considered the most interesting. They represent movement and action. They can lead you into the frame of the picture and to the centre of interest. A good idea is to avoid splitting the frame of your image in two by running diagonal lines from one corner of the picture to the other. This may cause the image to lose it's drive. To achieve a more balanced photo within the confines of your frame try to create a diagonal that starts just to one side of the corner and moves to the one side of the opposite corner. Curved lines within your frame can also be representative of moods such as grace and dignity.

If you really want to add an interest to your finished canvas to photo print look for different ways to include interesting diagonal lines into your image. Remembering the different moods and feelings that they can convey.


Using both vertical & diagonal lines in an image.


Using Shapes in Your Image

Shapes are basic two dimensional elements in the composition of your photos. You can use different shapes to achieve different feelings within your photo. Shapes can include anything from triangles to odd numbers to create photographic geometry. Shapes such as squares and rectangle can be less interesting as they basically mirror the frame of the image, so it lacks interesting conflict. To make them more creative use them with diagonals and triangles to create a more interesting picture. Shapes can also be made more interesting by placing them against a contrasting background for example a white yacht sail against a dark and moody sky. Silhouettes are also a great use of shapes. The use of curved lines or circles and straight lines has a great ability to create tension in your frame.


Two different images showing very different uses of shape
Pelican Photo: Norm Neilson

Conclusion

Shapes and lines can add a very dynamic and interesting element to you photo composition, so next time you have your camera out keep in mind these basic key rules.

Please remember that all images on this website have are copyrighted, but you can contact us about purchasing the images as canvas photo prints.