Though color photography is quite common, black and white photography is often a great choice for exploring your creativity. This article lists quick tips for black and white photography.
1. There are many different sizes of film, and different formats: 35mm (1″ x 1″), medium format- 120 (2″ x 2 “), and large format (4″ x 5″). Typically, people will start off using a 35mm SLR (single-lens reflex) camera. With an SLR, you can focus and view the subject directly through the lens.
2. Film speed should be taken into consideration, and films are rated by an ASA (American Standards Association) number. 32 ASA film is a slow film and is used in well-lit situations; slow film produces fine grain negatives. 125 ASA film is a medium speed film generally used for outdoor photography, and it produces medium grain negatives. 400 ASA film is a fast film and is good for indoor, dimly lit photography; this film produces coarse grain negatives.
3. Aperture settings control the amount of light entering the lens. A measurement of the size of the lens opening is called F-stop. A small F-stop is a bigger opening exposing the film to more light. A large F-stop is a smaller opening and decreases the amount of light reaching the film. F-stop ranges: 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22.
4. Lens size is measured in mm and is referred to as focal length. A narrow angle of view is a result of a longer focal length. Conversely, a wider angle of view is a result of a shorter focal length. Lens types and focal length: normal (50mm), wide angle (21-35mm), and telephoto (105-300mm).
5. Shutter speed refers to the length of time the film is exposed to light. A fast shutter speed means the length of exposure time is short. A slow shutter speed means the length of exposure time is long. Shutter speeds: B, T, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500, 1000. Shutter speed time can be better understood if you place a 1 over the number to turn it into a fraction. When you place a 1 over the 2, that means the shutter speed is a second.
6. Regarding shutter speed, the B means bulb, and the T means time. When using bulb, you just hold the button down for the desired amount of time. When using time, the second time you press down the button is when the shutter closes.
