what are the criterias for a good black and white pictures, what factors does it consider to list your picture as a professional category
2006-07-16 05:27:01 · 7 answers · asked by xerene 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
You may want your pictures to be compelling, pleasing to the eye but at the same time original, creative, not too cliche. Choose interesting subjects, or even trivial ones, but frame them in a unique way -- you don't want your subject to be always right in the middle, experiment with cropping and different angles and perspectives. Keep in mind, however, that balance is important too.
As far as print is concerned, a good black and white picture should show a wide tonal range from true white to different shades of gray to true black. You know that a picture is well printed when you have at least a true black in it. But you can also be creative and use filters to lower or pump up the contrast, depending what you want to achieve and convey. Also, the choice of the paper you are going to print your pictures on is crucial. The same picture will look different on shiny or mat paper. RC paper is good but more "commercial", while fiber paper will give your pictures an "artsier" look -- usually the tones are richer and the details in the picture will be enhanced.
You can also try filters on your lens -- for example a yellow filter will make blue subjects look less grayish in a b&w picture. And different kinds of films.
As for the second part of your question, I guess you can call yourself a professional photographer if you make a living out of photography or you have a degree and a deep knowledge in Photography. In that case, you can list your pictures as professional.
2006-07-16 06:28:53 · answer #1 · answered by thecatphotographer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as a good black and white:
An image has to contain all 256 shades of color in a grayscale environment (including true black and true white). Their has to be a definitive line between the contrast of black and white also. Highlights and shadows still need to contain details. If you are purposely blowing highlights and shadows for a very high-contrast print, then the image should only contain about 100 shades of color in a grayscale environment (including true black and true white).
As far as listing your picture ina professional category
That question doesn't really make any sence. There is no 'list' of professional photographs out there. Anyone can take a photo and sell it and have it concidered professional quality by someone out there. Photographs aren't professional in themselves. The photographer is the professional and the quality of the photograph is what's professional. Since there is such a broad span of photography, an image concidered professional by some wouldn't be concidered professional by others.
2006-07-17 05:45:59 · answer #2 · answered by Ipshwitz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I generally agree with the previous answers, but every person has different criteria for what makes a "good" photo. The only true judges are yourself, and the person you might be shooting the photograph for.
The question that hasn't been answered is what factors are required to list your photo in a professional catagory. Generally, the rule of thumb is whether you earn the majority of your income through photography. However, you might also base your answer on your opinion of your skill/talents. For example, I'm in kind of a gray area myself. My job title is "Media Services Manager", which includes photography but also includes video, writing, publishing and media/public relations. However, when I am asked to define whether I am a professional photographer, I say yes. Since part of my income is derived from photography, and my skill level is well above average, I consider myself a professional.
Good luck!
2006-07-16 07:43:02 · answer #3 · answered by DanSweet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good composition, good tonal balance (black to white balance) and an interesting subject. If there are any local photography clubs nearby, attend a couple of meetings. There will be local photographers there to give you more suggestions. As to what makes your or your pictures professional quality: can you make more than 50% of your income off your art?
2006-07-16 05:40:13 · answer #4 · answered by Marty G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good black and perfect white.
2006-07-17 01:18:45 · answer #5 · answered by bigonegrande 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are no good rules to follow in photography.in my opinion you can only learn from the best before you.try reserching Avedon,Halsman or Newton.
2006-07-16 05:41:56 · answer #6 · answered by Catalin 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make sure your blacks are BLACK and whites are WHITE...minimal gray tones
2006-07-17 03:53:06 · answer #7 · answered by kitty2179 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋