killer black and white photographs

Back in the Dark Ages, when I shot with a film camera, I used to be obsessed with black and white photographs. I swore I’d “never go digital” and that black and whites would always be my favorite.

Well, I went digital and now I prefer bright photographs whose intense colors make your teeth itch. But I still love me a good black and white photograph. Especially when said photograph is punchy with a powerful, contrasting look to it.

What’s my secret to obtaining killer black and white images? Why, Lightroom, of course. As obsessed as I used to be with black and white film photography, I am now equally, if not moreso, obsessed with Lightroom. It’s a spectacular photo editing software program that makes my soul sing.

And it’s really pretty simple to use. Neigh!

To start with, just open up a photograph in Lightroom, making sure to click on the develop tab above the image.

On the left, you’ll see a list of creative presets. Find the one that says high contrast black and white. Click it. I told you this was easy. So easy a horse could do it. Well, a horse who has Lightroom on his computer.

See what happens when you click it? Presto! A black and white photograph!

I like the contrast, but it’s a little too washed our for me. So let’s play with the photograph.

I ended up liking this image much better when I slid the exposure toggle (See it over there on the right? I even drew an arrow to it. You’re welcome.) to the left, exposing the photograph a little less. I also dragged (Drug?) the recovery toggle to the right a bit.

Ahh, yes. Much better.

Now, select the photograph and pick export. Give the photograph a new name, like GirlUnderVeilProcessedInKickButtBlackAndWhite.jpg. Or something. And if you don’t have Lightroom, don’t worry! For one, you can download a free trial from their website. (Nope, they are not paying me to tell you about them. In fact, I am sure the kind folks at Lightroom have no idea I exist! I just love their stuff and want to share about them with you!) But even if you don’t download it or buy it, whatever software you use, just convert your photograph to black and white and play with the contrast, upping it a little. In my (oh so humble) opinion, a high contrast black and white is much more smashing than a regular old one.

So play around with your photos and have fun!!!

And don’t say I never do anything for you.

P.S. It was a very close call between this post and a post about the Atlanta gathering. So, look for that one soon, as well as the winner of the Name That Photo Contest!