I have been taking portrait type colour photos for a year or two and have taken some fairly reasonable underwater shots with a Sea and Sea 2. I recently purcashed a Nikon F60 and would like to try a shot at black and white photography. I have been bought two B & W films - Makes are Ilford FP4 Plus? Can anyone suggest any easy to follow books or tips for exposures for a starter??? Apart from obviously the click it and see - which is what i will end up doing, like the underwater photos I've taken in the past.Are all the golden rules the same for B & W photos like colour, or is it alot more trial and error. I have always admired B & W photos and amm looking forward to having a go!!!! Any suggestions will be thankfully read. Cheers!!!! Bev :-)

-- Bev Foster (Bev.Foster@btinternet.com), January 02, 2001

Answers

Hi:

Doing B+W means being in control of exposure, development and printing.

The standard book, but relatively technical is Ansel Adams book: The Negative, where the "Zone system" is explained. Briefly it means being in control of the overall contrast of the image and regulating it by exposure and adapted development. The main key word is exposing for the shadows and developing for the highlights.

Classic B+W films as Ilford FP4 are normally (when not processed by a specialized lab - and hence expensive) a disappointment when not processed by yourself.

When it is not possible to do your processing by yourself get a so called chromogenic film (actually a color film with only black and white dyes). Famous are Ilford XP2 or Kodak TMAX400CN. Very good film indeed, I use those regulary by myself.

Taking underwater photos, personally, I would only use a chromogenic film and rely on the camera's meter reading.

Good Luck

-- Marc Leest (mmm@n2photography.com), January 02, 2001.

Bev, the question you pose comes up a lot on this forum. There are a zillion answers to it. With the pre-eminence of color photography in our society, it is difficult to do good b&w work unless you do your own printing and developing. Good black & white labs are hard to find and usually very expensive.

Setting up your own darkroom takes a bit of doing and money. Now of course, we have the computer and digital, as an alternative to the old 'wet' darkroom. So, you might want to look into that.

My recommendation always is, if you can possibly manage it, take an introductory photo course at a college or university in your area. If that is not possible look for an adult education course, or some other workshop that will get you going.

Best of luck!

chris

-- Christian Harkness (chris.harkness@eudoramail.com), January 03, 2001.

I intend absolutely no offence by this, but I see often the recommendation to read Adam's book "The negative," or whatever, in order to understand the Zone System...you need a PhD in chemistry to do that!

The Zone System was set up by Ansel as a useful methods of controlling exposure, developing and printing to produce images that the photographer visualized in his/her mind's eye at the time of exposure in black and white format using single sheet film view cameras.

I am totally convinced that this system is NOT appropriate to 35mm photography (regardless of the many books to the contrary) where compromises must be made since you are not using single sheets of film and you can not adjust development times for roll film protocols.

Bev, I would simply suggest that you get some nice Ilford Delta 400 film, expose it a about 300+/- and develop it according to the recommended guidelines, and you should do nicely.

Even better, get some Kodak TCN 400 Chromogenic film, take as many pictures as your heart desires, have it processed and printed at a minilab on color paper and enjoy the fun you had doing all of this.

The more you practice (and the less you let yourself get discouraged or caught up in advanced chemistry) the better you will become.

Photography should be enjoyed...not a burden)

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), January 04, 2001.

Todd, I agree with you on the Adams book. In addition, I think we seem to neglect that Bev has said NOTHING about a darkroom set-up or desire to do so. I think many of us are so involved with b&w that we forget how different the b&w world is if you compare it to the color/one-hour lab experience. My experience has been that people brought up on one-hour labs have absolutely no idea how involved b&w work is.

chris

-- Christian Harkness (chris.harkness@eudoramail.com), January 04, 2001.

While Ansel Adams books are of great value, I agree they are not the best place to start. Kodak used to publish a booklet called "Basic Developing Printing and Enlarging" which was the best, concise starting point I know of. If you can find a used copy, it's worth getting.

I like very much the idea of finding an adult education or community college class on photography. A good instructor will have a structured approach, and with all there is to learn that is a big advantage. However, I think only technique can be taught. Vision has to be practiced. A good instructor can help you to see and aim you, but can't really tell you how to do it nor can he/she do your seeing for you.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), January 04, 2001.

Bev, Two of the best, most concise and easiest to understand books for someone entering into B&W are Henery Horenstein's BASIC PHOTOGRAPHY and BEYOND BASICS. These are standard text in manay Photo programs. Then if you truly catch the bug maybe then go on the the Adams series. But I would also add that its not necessary for you to be doing your own processing and printing to begin. If you can, find a pro Lab that will work w/ you in helping you understand the differences between B&W and Color. That in it's self can end up as an education into B&W.

-- jim megargee (jmegargee@nycc.rr.com), January 08, 2001.

I agree with Jim .. Those two books are wonderful !!!!! Easy to read and understand without having to have all the "formal" words to understand. If you decide to get into B&W more .. then do what has been suggested. Take a class in it. There's nothing as exciting as watching the picture pop up in the developer. Gets me going every time ... you will either totally love it .. or despise it. Taking that class got the developer running in my veins .. Many students took the class to fill a requirement .. and many dropped out because of the time it involved .. and expense. They thought it would be an easy class ... Hope you enjoy it as much as I do ... and have fun !!!!

-- Lacie Hooper (LacieSmiles@aol.com), January 14, 2001.

Dear Bev,

I just started my own B&W Portrait Photography business called "Before the Rainbow." I have used several different films from Ilford to Kodak.

My personal reccomendation is Ilford XP2 Super 400 ASA.

Just try it. I can honestly say that every picture that I take using that film and I mean every one is beautiful....simply beautiful.

I would also like to add that I cracked a smile when I read the comment about Ansel's zone system. Yes! You do need a chemistry degree to understand it!

I find that my work with B&W has evolved through hanging out in the camera shops:) Posting and reading on boards such as this one. And shooting roll after roll after roll and figuring out what you did right, what you did wrong, what you can do better next time:)

I guess what I am saying is that I found my "own zone." Isn't that what photograpghy is all about? I mean I think Ansel Adams did lovely work-no doubt. But I find great pleasure in finding my own style.

I wish you luck on your B&W journey. I love B&W so much that I cringe when people ask me to shoot them in color!

Underwater B&W....wow! I would love to see that!

Good luck and let me know what you think about that Ilford XP2 Super 400 ASA. Better yet...try the Ilford 3200! Now that would be perfect for your underwater shots!

Traci Suzanne Marvel marvel@digisys.net

-- Traci Suzanne Marvel (marvel@digisys.net), February 09, 2001.