| When I started out as a young photographer back in | | | | STUDIO: Set up your flash with a soft-box or |
| the sixty's, just about all images in advertising were | | | | umbrella attachment, positioned to the side of your |
| shot in Black and White and we use to work mostly | | | | camera, approximately at a 45 degree angle to the |
| with large view cameras sizes 5x4 inch, half plate, | | | | subject. |
| whole plate and 10x8 inch, using B/W sheet film | | | | Always work with a tripod, this is how the Pros do it |
| made by Kodak and Ilford. | | | | and they know a thing or two! |
| We also use to shoot with Medium Format cameras | | | | Set up a large reflector the other side of the camera |
| such as the "Hassleblad" SLR. and the "Rolleiflex" TLR, | | | | and fix a second light facing into the reflector as a |
| format size 6x6 cm. using Black and White film stock | | | | bounce light to fill-in the shadow side of the model. I |
| Ilford HP3 and HP4, also Kodak Tri X, 120 size roll film. | | | | would be wise to have an additional small reflector |
| There were no Point and Shoot Digital Cameras or | | | | below the models head to reflect light up under the |
| Compact cameras and color negative film was so | | | | models chin. |
| expensive to buy and even more expensive to | | | | You may also require additional lights to light up the |
| process and print, most times it just wasn't used and | | | | background and a clip light to clip the models hair. |
| the quality was poor. | | | | Check your exposures by using a stand-in model. |
| Side Note: Just about all weddings back then, were | | | | After some experimentation find the right balance |
| shot in Black and White and with Medium Format | | | | and correct exposures my making these tests a day |
| cameras and haven't you noticed to day just how | | | | or two before you plan the actual shoot, so |
| exceptional it is to see a creative Wedding | | | | eliminating mistakes on the big day. |
| Photographer adding a few images in Black and White | | | | OUTDOORS: Now this is a whole lot simpler and just |
| to his wedding shoot. In my opinion all weddings are | | | | about anybody can produce great shots without the |
| made for Black and White photography, after all the | | | | necessity of expensive studio flash equipment. |
| Bride is in white and the Groom is in a dark suite. | | | | You will however, need a fine warm day and you will |
| How then did we shoot color images in the studio for | | | | be working outside in the SHADOW of the building. |
| advertising and fashion. We used exclusively Kodak | | | | Seat your Model facing whare the majority of whare |
| Ektachrome sheet film. Around this time Kodak | | | | the light is coming from, making sure that the sun is |
| introduced Kodak Ektachrome to 120 size roll film and | | | | not falling on the model. |
| of course good old Kodachrome slide film had been | | | | Place a white card, size 1 meter by 70 cm. available |
| around a while. The problem with making a print from | | | | at you local art store, behind the models head as a |
| a Kodachrome slide was it was very expensive and | | | | white background. |
| the quality left much to be desired. Meanwhile Kodak | | | | Then place two other white cards, one each side of |
| Ektachrome Sheet Film, was the only quality colour | | | | the model, reflecting light back into the subjects face. |
| film available at the time and still is one of the best | | | | It's also a good idea to have your model seated in |
| quality colour transparency films around to day. | | | | front of a table on which you have also placed a |
| So whats so special in shooting in Black and White, | | | | white card. This lights up any shadows under the |
| simply put, It's just so refreshing to see an image | | | | models chin. |
| that is not in bright and sometimes unnatural colors | | | | The camera must be set on a tripod so you can |
| and the beauty of the image is in the tonal range | | | | then carefully control your image. Remember you are |
| from whites to blacks, which evokes a mood which | | | | creating a beautiful picture, not taking snaps of your |
| is hard to capture when you look at bright colors. | | | | kids, be professional and you images will look |
| For example if you shoot a Portrait Head Shot with a | | | | professional also. |
| white or plain background, carefully lighting the | | | | You can improvise setting up your background, I |
| subject, you are really only going to see a creation | | | | usually use the garden broom and rake... But do make |
| of an image whare the character or beauty of that | | | | sure that you support the reflectors and background |
| person shows without confusing it with color. | | | | with a strong tape in case of a sudden gust of wind. |
| So lets examine ways to shoot Black and White | | | | Now you have just set up your DAYLIGHT STUDIO... |
| Portraits, Fashion or figure shots. | | | | Find a good quality B/W Lab, yes they still exist, and |
| WHAT YOU'LL NEED: | | | | it's worth paying extra for this kind of work. Avoid |
| 1. Film Camera. 35mm. SLR or Medium Format size | | | | taking you processing to the High St, 1 hour photo |
| 6x6cm. | | | | lab. |
| 2. Black and White film. Kodak T.Max 100 ASA. or | | | | The results will astound you and you will surely |
| Ilford HP4. | | | | impress you model too. |
| 3. Soft-Box or Umbrella attachment for a Studio | | | | With some persistence and experimentation, you will |
| Flash. | | | | prefect your own technique with the shots and soon |
| 4. Reflectors. | | | | start producing masterpieces. |
| 5. Tripod. | | | | By the way, the usual attention to the Models hair |
| 6. Model. | | | | and make-up is also needed, keeping in mind that you |
| WHAT TO DO: | | | | don't have to over do the make up for B/W |
| You have two choices for shooting you Model in | | | | photography. |
| Black and White, we will keep the details short as | | | | While shooting your model with your Daylight Studio |
| there will be other resources you can follow up with | | | | set-up, you can create some great images for your |
| at the bottom of this page.a) Studio: Setting up and | | | | portfolio in the same way the great photographers |
| working in your home studio, (or hired studio).b) | | | | of the past use to and in the way that all |
| Outdoors: Working outdoors on a fine warm day. | | | | photography started out... Black and White... |