Bruce Weber Photographer Underlines a Few Pointers of Clicking Stunning Black and White Portraiture

Black and white portraits are generally quite beautiful. They look powerful, and often communicate more than just the aesthetics of the subject. Black and white photography is one of the most widely popular genres for portraiture. Even renowned professionals like  Bruce Weber Photographer love to capture black and white portraits.  A lot of people gravitate towards this style owing to the honest and unique perspective it can bring to photos. The soulfulness of black and white portraits is truly unparalleled.

Bruce Weber Photographer marks a few tips that can be helpful in taking great black and white portraits

The eyes are arguably the most important part of most portraits. Eyes are typically the focal point of an image, and this is particularly true in black and white. Owing to the lack of color, black and white images are commonly perceived as graphic shapes and forms. Eyes are shapes that are recognized by all. Hence, they immediately capture the attention of the viewers. The photographer must, therefore, put special attention to the eyes of the subject. They must make sure that the eyes of subject are well lit and is in focus. A catch light can be used to help the eyes pop. Increasing the depth of field can be a good idea when working in tricky lighting conditions for a bit of extra leeway. On the other hand, a larger aperture like f/1.4 or f/2.8 can help create a shallow depth of field.  A shallow depth of field shall put any distractions out of focus and draw greater attention to the subject. Doing so will also create some separation between the subject and their background, which is ideal for most portraiture.

Black and white portraits can be shot in an artificial light, natural light, or a mix of two. Artificial light is preferred by many as it offers greater control and allows the photographer to create a lot of drama. But there is no hard and fast rule associated with lighting in black and white portraits. Contrast is typically pretty important in this style. Hence, trying out split-lighting and Rembrandt-lighting patterns can be a smart move. Photographers can also consider reducing their light angle for a less-extreme effect if they prefer softer, low-contrast images. Chiaroscuro lighting is also a popular black and white portrait technique. It focuses on the juxtaposition of light and darkness. The use of low and high-contrast lighting in this style aids in establishing the mood of the black and white portrait.

Using a hard light source will be a smart move for getting high-contrast portraits with hard gradations in tone. Such light sources include a small soft-box, bare flash, or even the noontime sun. The light can be modified with a large soft-box or an umbrella for soft tones and subtler images.  If the photographer wants low-contrast images in an outdoor shoot, they need to make sure that the subject is head out or shaded when the sky is overcast. One can explore the web and check out the works of Bruce Weber Photographer to gain an improved understanding of clicking amazing black and white portraits.