LESSON 1: How To Get Started In Monochrome Photography

Getting Started in Monochrome Photography: A Beginner’s Guide

Black-and-white photography has a unique power. Without color to rely on, it’s all about light, contrast, texture, and composition. For beginners, it can feel intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a complete guide to getting started, covering tips, techniques, and basic composition.

1. See in Black and White

The first step is mental: train your eyes to see the world without color. Look for shapes, lines, patterns, and textures. Shadows become more dramatic, highlights more striking. A scene that feels ordinary in color can become stunning in black-and-white.

Technique tip: Try mentally desaturating your viewfinder or phone screen before taking the shot. Focus on contrast and shapes.

Composition tip: Use strong geometric shapes or leading lines to guide the viewer’s eye. Black-and-white images thrive on structure.

2. Use What You’ve Got

You don’t need a high-end camera. A smartphone is enough to start. Shoot in black-and-white mode if available, or take photos in color and convert them later. Shooting in RAW gives more flexibility for editing.

Technique tip: Experiment with exposure. Slight overexposure can brighten highlights, underexposure can intensify shadows. Both can dramatically change the mood.

Composition tip: Fill the frame with your subject, but don’t be afraid of negative space—it adds breathing room and drama.

3. Play with Light

Light is the lifeblood of monochrome photography. Without color, the interplay of light and shadow defines your image. Harsh midday sun creates strong shadows and contrast, while soft morning or evening light creates gentle tonal transitions.

Technique tip: Side lighting enhances texture and depth. Backlighting can create silhouettes for dramatic effect.

Composition tip: Observe where the light falls and use it to emphasize your subject. Shadows can be just as important as the objects casting them.

4. Edit, But Don’t Overdo

Post-processing is crucial in monochrome photography. Adjusting contrast, shadows, highlights, and texture can transform a flat image into something striking.

Technique tip: Use tools like Lightroom, Snapseed, or VSCO. Play with contrast first, then fine-tune exposure, clarity, and grain. Subtle dodging (lightening) and burning (darkening) can add dimension.

Composition tip: During editing, crop to strengthen the visual impact. Removing distractions often makes the photo more compelling.

5. Pick a Theme

Having a focus or project helps you practice consistently. Street photography, urban textures, nature, or portraits are all excellent starting points.

Technique tip: Stick with one subject at first. For example, focus on capturing shadows in urban spaces for a week—your eye will sharpen faster.

Composition tip: Apply the “rule of thirds” to place your subject off-center. Even in black-and-white, balance is key: consider the weight of dark vs. light areas.

6. Learn from the Masters

Study photographers like Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange. Notice how they use light, shadow, and composition to tell a story.

Technique tip: Try recreating a classic black-and-white photo for practice. Pay attention to exposure, framing, and contrast.

Composition tip: Observe framing choices: close-ups vs. wide shots, symmetry vs. asymmetry, and how negative space is used to create tension or focus.

7. Have Fun and Experiment

Monochrome photography is a way to slow down and see the world differently. Don’t stress about perfection. Try new angles, shoot textures, experiment with long exposure, or even motion blur.

Technique tip: Shoot in different lighting conditions and at different times of day to see how light transforms your subject.

Composition tip: Break rules sometimes. Monochrome is forgiving, and experimenting leads to discovering your style.