Point and Shoot Month Round 2 - B&W Setting by Russ Burden
Since it went so well last time in July, Russ Burden is back with a month's worth of tips for point and shoot cameras
Article rating: 8.80
For those of you who are regular readers of my weekly photo tips, you know the vast majority are written for users of 35mm SLR’s. Last July I deviated from this trend and presented a month’s worth of tips for all you point and shooters. It was so well received, I’m doing Round 2 for the month of October. Now before all you regular readers grab the mouse and click on another link, read on. Isn’t it about time you had some fun with a point and shoot? Wouldn’t it be nice to get some great shots and not have to lug around your 35mm equipment? Haven’t you thought about getting one or using the one you already bought that is reserved for the others in the family? So spread the word to your point and shoot friends, spouses, and significant others to read the tips each week in October. I also encourage you to look into classes sponsored by the Panasonic Digital Photo Academy. They offer an array for all levels, including one solely dedicated to teaching students how to use their digital point and shoots. Check out www.digitalphotoacademy.com for more information.
When photography was invented, B&W was the only game in town. As it evolved, so did addressing the quality of the print. Getting a wide range of tones from pure white to pure black was the goal of every good photographer and darkroom worker. It finally evolved into an art form and grew in popularity. Many B&W masters shunned color photography when it was introduced. But as color grew in popularity, B&W began to take a back seat and was left to the truly dedicated. Thankfully, with the advent of digital cameras, B&W is making a huge resurgence.
A black and white image is as close as a menu click away on your point and shoot. Access the Record Menu on the back of your camera and navigate to the Color Mode or Film Equivalent setting. Check your manual to see what it’s called. Simply click on the setting that says B&W and you’re off to a world of colorless wonder. Experiment, play, and simply have fun. Capture the kids, an architectural subject, a day at the beach, a hike, a bike ride or simply a shot in the back yard. Incorporate shadows into your subjects as they play an important role in B&W captures. The next time you’re at a wedding, make some B&W images of the bride and she’ll love them. Some cameras even have a sepia setting - translation = bonus. Give it a whirl.
If you prefer to photograph in color, there are many software programs that allow you to easily convert the file to B&W. Chances are the software that comes with your camera allows this. If not, you can always use Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. Both provide tools that produce museum quality B&W images. In Photoshop, there’s a fantastic adjustment layer that enables you to lighten or darken specific colors of the original color capture. I think about the hours I spent in the darkroom to come up with a print about which I could feel proud. Now, with a few mouse clicks and a couple of minutes, I get the same result.
To learn more about this topic, join me on one of my Photographic Nature Tours. Visit www.russburdenphotography.com and click on the NATURE TOURS button for more information. Also, pick up a copy of my new book, Amphoto’s Complete Book of Photography. You can purchase a signed copy directly from me or visit your local book store or Amazon. Contact me at rburden@ecentral.com to order your signed copy.
Russ's articles offerring tips for point and shoot camera use are easy to understand and they renew my passion for this new venture of mine. I don't want to get a SLR, but am excited at all the things I will be able to do with my first digital camera, a Canon SD890 IS. Thanks!
Posted by: Therese Karlin Oct 10, 2009 @ 2:38 PM EST
