Black and White Photography: Photography Techniques for a Photography Contest

Black and white photography evokes a classic, nostalgic and dynamic emotion. Black and white photography uses a long tradition of luminous, well-crafted and carefully composed imagery. Landscapes, portraits, urban scenes, and architecture all work well in black and white.

There are unique photography techniques for shooting black and white photography. A photography contest will often honor this particular craft. Most photography contest entries welcome amateurs as well as professionals.

Black and white photography involves a palette of grays, from pitch black to brilliant white. This offers a subtlety of tones, making the choice of contrast a truly artistic form. Photography techniques involve shape, lighting, contrast, texture and tone. These are the type of photography techniques judges look for in a photography contest for black and white photography.

Many favored photography contest entries are those with a high black and white contrast. High contrast scenes in black and white photography create an atmospheric mood and draw stark attention to detail. Photography techniques also involve texture, line and shape for a winning photography contest entry.

The texture of fabric, such as a wooly sweater, can have strong visual impact in black and white photography. Lines and shapes also lead our eyes through a black and white picture differently than in color. A rock wall in a field, rows of corn, or a seemingly endless train track will lead our eyes in their direction, undistracted by bright colors.

Photography contest entrants should also consider lighting techniques in black and white photography. Lighting photography techniques become much more important when color is not involved. Lighting photography techniques can drastically change the tone and feeling in an image.

Imagine an old stone cottage in the country surrounded by oak trees. An overcast or foggy day will result in a soft, romantic picture. In contrast, shooting late on a sunny afternoon, when the sun is low, will create shadows that accentuate the texture of the stone walls and the long shadows of the trees. Creating moods is what photography contest photos are all about.

There are hundreds of black and white photography contest choices. Each photography contest will charge an entry fee, so cost is a consideration. A photography contest may have specific themes while others will be open to any type of black and white photography. What is important is the photography techniques you utilized to emotionally draw people to your image.

Alex Schult - About Author:
PhotographyTalk is an online photo community for wedding, family, nature, and landscape photographers. PhotographyTalk serves beginners, aspiring amateurs, and proven professionals who share their passion for and enjoyment of the art of photography. For more information about photography techniques, visit www.photographytalk.com.

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