Grasp the visual center of black and white photography

There is no doubt that today is the age of color photography. However, there are still many photographers who are dedicated to the artistic creation of black and white photography. One of the basic reasons is that we like the high abstract ability of black and white photography. Without the interference of color, the elements such as the lines, structure and light of the picture can produce a stronger and more profound expression. Knowing how to use these visual elements to highlight the visual center of the picture is the key to good black-and-white photography. Today we've listed eight ways to make your black and white photography more solid and deep by giving you a visual center. The transformation of a colorful world into black and white is a miracle in itself. Black and white photos have its charm. There's more to a photo than just pretty colors. Photography itself records light, not color.

Historically, black and white photography was the only mode of choice for photographers. Color photography is now widely used in this era. However, there are still many photographers who are dedicated to the artistic creation of black and white photography works. Its lasting charm comes from its vivid image effects and its unique way of expressing emotions and rendering atmosphere. Without the interference of color, the elements such as the lines, structure and light of the picture can produce a stronger and more profound expression. Knowing how to use these visual elements to highlight the visual center of the picture is the key to good black-and-white photography.

First, layout,

The first, and most important, is to decide where to put the subject as the center of interest. Generally, objects near the center of the image stand out the most, but how close?

Second, the contrast

For black and white photography works, there is no color contrast, want to use the object contrast to highlight the visual center, only through the object size contrast to reflect. A horse in the foreground stands out for its size in a photograph by Rene burry. The other horses were nothing in comparison.

Third, build frame method

This is a meaningful winter scene, taken by the photographer George Forss. The tree trunk in this picture frames the small figure of the subject. Although it occupies a small area in the picture, it attracts the viewer's attention. For large and special objects in the distance, such as mountains, monuments and buildings, frame can be used to improve the composition. A common framing technique is to take a nearby branch into the frame. The exquisite branches of the half-dome mountain in Yosemite give the image a sense of space and distance. This technique is often used in travel photography and architectural photography.

Fourth, use light

In photography, the use of shadow as well as the use of light will also create a mysterious picture.

Fifth, the direction of the line

The subject of this photo is indeed too small, but the lines from the four corners converge and point towards the subject like arrows. The wide Angle lens enhances the convergence of the lines, creating a sense of loneliness, which is the moral of the photo.

Sixth, choose your focus

This photo was taken by jerry rice. He USES a number of methods to draw attention to the subject. First, he focuses precisely on his subject, keeping everything else out of focus. Second, he makes the bagpipe player look big and burly, placing him above the center of the picture. Third, he makes the protagonist's eyes look straight into the camera, drawing the viewer's attention directly to his eyes. All of these methods draw attention to the subject without interruption.

Seventh, image repetition

A picture of two horses drinking water taken by Rene burry. The mirror reflection of the pool water in the picture greatly beautifies the picture, and the careful arrangement of the subject horse and tree forms a rhythmic and repetitive pattern, which is an important factor in the strength of the picture.

Eighth, object momentum

The picture below is not just about the beautiful movements of the young skateboarder, but also about the rapt people around him. Everyone in the audience turned their attention to him, and even the tins on the ground were pointed at him. He was large and close to the center of the frame, and the buggy boy and the timekeeper had built a frame for him.