How to Capture High-Contrast B&W Photo Magic on the Street (VIDEO)
We’re always on the lookout for straightforward tutorials that will inspire Shutterbug readers to try something new and expand their skills. If you’ve never experimented with high-contrast b&w photography, this video from instructor Peter Forsgard is guaranteed to add a new arrow in your quiver.
Forsgard is an experienced pro whose instructional videos are devoted to the art and techniques of capturing the essence of urban life, whether you’re shooting dynamic cityscapes or capturing the hustle and bustle on a street in the town where you live.
The topic of today’s 15-minute episode is what Forsgard calls “high-contrast b&w magic with a 40mm lens on the street.” This may sound like a rather narrow genre, but the techniques discussed have far broader applications. Here’s the promise Forsgard makes for this lesson: “From the shadows to the highlights I’ll show you how to make the most of your camera’s capabilities to produce stunning black-and-white images that tells a story.”
By following Forsgard’s advice you’ll be able to depict the energy of city life in a unique and captivating way, armed with nothing more that your camera, a 40mm prime lens, and a few easy-to-emulate tips on camera settings, composition, and camera angles that will enable you to create visually interesting photographs that create a lasting impression.
Forsgard covers a lot of ground in a hurry, so you may want to jot down a few notes as he demonstrates the power of abstract imagery, encourages you to experiment with both a vertical and horizonal orientation, and explains what he means by “off-balanced images.” He also has a few helpful tricks for eliminating distraction that clutter up a shot.
You’ll see how small easy-to-miss details can really make a shot worth capturing, why and why not to employ touch focus, the beauty of reflections, and the importance of waiting for the perfect moment to develop. Forsgard always strives to get things right in the camera, and one of his virtues is a calm patience for “following the light.”
There much more to learn about refining your street photography on Forsgard’s instructional YouTube channel. So be sure to pay a visit if this video strikes your fancy.
We also encourage you to watch the recent tutorial we featured with a Canadian pro who demonstrates why you should pay very close attention to the EXIF Data embedded in your digital photographs.
