Digital Black and White

Veteran National Geographic photographer, photo editor, and filmmaker Richard Olsenius provides a compelling case for capturing the essence of people and landscapes through black-and-white photography and shares his secrets to mastering the craft.The ability of the black-and-white photograph to strip away the unnecessary and concentrate a message through form, shadow, and light provides its intrinsic strength. Because of its power to communicate, black and white is often chosen in the art, documentary, and commercial worlds. With 120 photographs illustrating the techniques used, this guidebook is as much about how to visualize a story in black and white as it is about the technical aspects of photography. With the popularity of digital cameras, Olsenius dedicates much time discussing the benefits of using digital technology for black-and-white photography, but he also discusses more traditional cameras and their uses. In addition to advice from Olsenius, this field guide includes the work of four other noteworthy photographers—Father Don Doll, Brian Peterson, Marion E. Warren, and Nick Kelsh—all covering a realm of different subject matter from Native Americans to commercial photography. For more than a century, National Geographic has been synonymous with expertise and excellence in photography. National Geographic Photography Field Guide: Black & White is a vital reference and how-to manual for photographers of all levels.Veteran National Geographic photographer, photo editor, and filmmaker Richard Olsenius provides a compelling case for capturing the essence of people and landscapes through black-and-white photography, and shares his secrets to mastering the craft and the latest technology. This 160-page guidebook is as much about "how to visualize a story in black and white" as it is about the technical aspects of photography. Finding black and white in a world of kaleidoscopic color, seeing the essential form, structure, or meaning in a subject, requires "a special way of seeing." The guide covers the advantages of different camera formats, lenses, and light filters for different types of photography. The goal is to aid new or developing photographers in choosing the best camera and equipment for achieving their objectives. A section on light and film provides tools and advice on how to use light and various films to provide a palette of tone and brightness in the final photographic image. A master printer in both color and black and white, Olsenius provides numerous suggestions on both digital and darkroom techniques for printing the final image. The guide is filled with 120 photographs illustrating the techniques addressed in each chapter. In addition, the work of four noted photographers is included in the guide, along with interviews describing their reasons for shooting in black and white. They include Father Don Doll, who has worked most of his career photographing Native Americans and produced a number of stories for National Geographic Magazine. Brian Peterson is an award-winning newspaper photographer for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Marion E. Warren is a noted photographerwho at 84 is best known for his work on the Chesapeake Bay. Nick Kelsh is a commercial photographer and art director who works in advertising and has produced several specialty books using black-and-white photography. AdditionaRichard Olsenius is an award-winning photographer, filmmaker, and former photo editor at National Geographic magazine. His work spans 30 years and has appeared in 17 books and over 15 stories for the Geographic. He has won over 100 state and national awards for his photography and filmmaking, as well as the international World Press Photo Award for his series on Cambodian refugees. Over the years of assignment photography, book publishing, and filmmaking, he has continued to pursue his first love-black-and-white, large-format photography. Not only did his black-and-white work win him entre to National Geographic, but it also led to a joint story and book project with Lake Wobegon creator, Garrison Keillor. The book, In Search of Lake Wobegon, was published in 2001, and a traveling exhibit from the book was developed in 2002. Olsenius is married and lives near the Chesapeake Bay.