LESSON 7: Post Processing Basics

If shooting in monochrome is about seeing differently, post-processing is about refining what you see. Even a perfectly composed photo can feel flat without careful editing. The good news: you don’t need complicated software or hours of experience to make black-and-white images pop.

Here’s a beginner-friendly guide to post-processing for monochrome photography.

1. Start with RAW

• Shooting in RAW format preserves more detail and tonal information than JPEG.

• RAW files let you adjust highlights, shadows, contrast, and exposure without degrading quality.

• If your camera or phone allows it, always shoot in RAW for editing flexibility.

2. Converting to Black and White

• In-camera: Many cameras and smartphones have a built-in monochrome mode. Great for seeing your shot in black and white instantly.

• In post: Convert color photos using Lightroom, Snapseed, VSCO, or Photoshop. This gives you more control over tonal adjustments.

3. Adjust Contrast and Exposure

• Contrast: Controls the difference between light and dark. Increasing contrast makes your subject pop; lowering it creates a softer, moody feel.

• Exposure: Adjust if the photo is too bright or too dark. In monochrome, tiny changes in exposure can dramatically alter mood.

• Highlights & Shadows: Fine-tune to bring out textures or recover details in overexposed or underexposed areas.

4. Tone and Texture Enhancements

• Clarity / Structure: Increases mid-tone contrast to make textures stand out. Perfect for stone, wood, or fabric.

• Grain / Noise: Adding subtle grain can give images a film-like quality and add character.

• Dodge & Burn: Lighten or darken specific areas to draw attention to the subject or create depth.

5. Crop and Composition Refinement

• Cropping can improve balance and emphasize the subject.

• Use the rule of thirds, leading lines, or negative space to strengthen the visual flow.

• Sometimes removing distractions in the frame is all your photo needs to feel finished.

6. Practice Exercise

Take one black-and-white photo you’ve already shot. Open it in your favorite editing app and experiment with:

1. Contrast adjustments

2. Shadows & highlights

3. Clarity/texture

4. Cropping

5. Subtle grain

Compare your edits with the original. Notice how small tweaks can dramatically enhance mood and impact.

Final Thought

Editing is where your vision comes alive. Post-processing in monochrome isn’t about overdoing it—it’s about enhancing what’s already there: light, shadow, texture, and emotion. Practice regularly, and you’ll learn to make your black-and-white images tell stronger stories.