How would I start to learn black and white film photography?

Question

(not digital) I have no idea where to start, but love the effects of black and white. I had a look on Jessop's website, but I just became confused, as I don't know which film to pick to start off with. Would someone please let me know which film to use in which conditions, so I can at least make a start, and also let me know if there is any special equipment I might need. I would also like to know where to have my films developed, and how much it is likely to cost. Is it possible to do it yourself?

I'm not looking at digital because I don't have a digital camera (and can't afford one yet). I do have an SLR camera
I do have a Pentax MZ-30 with a 35 - 80 lens on it though, that I've used (on automatic setting) to take colour photos, so while I've nothing at all against digital, I'm just trying to work with what I've got. I'm just learning!

I'm not looking at digital because I don't have a digital camera (and can't afford one yet). I do have an SLR camera - a Pentax MZ-30 with a 35 - 80 lens on it though, that I've used (on automatic setting) to take colour photos, so while I've nothing at all against digital, I'm just trying to work with what I've got. I'm just learning!

Answer 1

look at colleges for courses.

Answer 2

Take a Basic course at your local college. Failing that, read John Hedgecoe's book Basic Photography. Developing your own film, although satisfying, will prove to be more and more expensive as "Digital" takes over. Digital cameras have already reached the quality of 35mm SLR's, and soon they will be as good as "Medium" format cameras. Having said that, -

Film - This is usually given an ISO/ASA rating, the higher the number the faster the film. ISO 400 is quite good to start with, it will work in a wide range of conditions and if needed you can, "Push-process", the film at up to 1600 ISO without film grain becoming to intrusive. There are standard B/W (black and white) films that come in the range from about ISO 5, a very slow film, to ISO6400, a very fast film for low light conditions that used to be popular with Newspaper photographers.

You can develop your own film, but there is not much point if you do not have a projector and paper to actually help to make prints with. Black and white developing is prohibitively costly, basically because the digital revolution has rendered B/W obsolete and most of the major companies involved have abandoned the process. If you become serious about it I would suggest you join something like the Royal Photographic Society.

Answer 3

well theres nothing wrong with learning with film and dark room techniques .

when you learn with film you learn quickly that you need to get it right each photo you take or you kick your self later on when you see your negs!!

digital can lead to bad habits and relying on taking 20 shots of something knowing one maybe half good. best to start off with out the bad habits , and being able to do one shot with good composition and knowledge of the camera controls . one day that may prove very useful should you have to capture that moment ...at a moment .
( always harder to stop habits once you've started them ,bit like with driving lessons)
and couple of bad negatives and you soon get your butt into gear with making sure you are taking the photo as best you can , that skill will last you for life and into a digital when and if you decide to get one, so dont let any one put you off.

most local colleges do a photography course offering b&w photograhy , some as a very part time more hobby style and the recognised qualifications courses too.
your local adult ed, for the county council should do a few too
. I m not sure where you are but for example where I am this is a link to a course in the The Arts Institute at Bournemouth, its just a 10 week PT course ideal for starting ,
search for b&w film courses in your area , see what it comes up with

Answer 4

The obvious and most suggested answer is to take classes in photography.

I also suggest buying "Object & Image: An Introduction To Photography, Third Edition" by George M. Craven.

If you shoot Ilford XP2 Super or Kodak BW400CN (both are ISO 400) you can have it developed at any 1 Hour lab since both are C-41 compatible. Just stress that the photos are supposed to be black and white.

You can most assuredly process your own B&W film and there is a detailed section in "Object & Image" that shows you how.

For inspiration, visit your library and check out biographies of Margaret Bourke-White and Dorothea Lange and Edward Weston and Minor White and Edward Steichen and Alfred Eisenstadt and Ansel Adams and Robert Capa and Eddie Adams.

Good luck and welcome to the magical world of B&W photography.

Answer 5

Most colleges have great beginner B&W courses. Many highschools have great evening adult classes which are a great introduction to B&W photography. T Max 100 is a film I used for outside a lot, for inside 400-800. You can learn to develope your own film. Most normal labs will develop B&W film but I found they do a poor job at it. Most of the college courses will teach you the developing and printing part.

Answer 6

If you are using an analog camera, buy black and white film, and experiment.

If you use a digital camera, you can convert your digital color pictures to black and white using Adobe Photoshop or Picasa. Also, some digital cameras will take pictures in black and white.

It's also a good idea to take a photography class at your local community college.

If anything, take a look at these links.

Best of Luck !

Answer 7

I advise you to skip it and learn digital photography instead. You can always do the black and white as an "effect". You will find that this kind of film is going to become harder and harder to find as digital takes over. There is also the matter of how much the developing, etc., chemicals cause pollution, and the digital photography doesn't even come close. You can learn the "film" based photography, but it is going to become increasing more difficult (and probably expensive) for you to find supplies. The era of film-based photography is ending.

Answer 8

iso is the main consideration in black and white film

the iso is the grain the film will produce, a 100 or 64 iso will be "sharp" with small grain. a 800 or 1600 will be "rough/gritty" with large grain

so it depends what your shooting as to whats the best for the job/images.........64iso will give sharp small grain, good for say architecture. for portraits you might want high grain like a 1600iso,

you could try a kodak tmax 100 and say a 800iso some other brand,

for low light 800 or higher iso will help out for speed better

for bright sunny days 100iso is fast enough for most hand held shots

really you have to try them before you will know what you like best for what, i used to use 64 or 100 mostly, i would like to use 1600 again one day........

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Answer 9

you are right. when you look you have to look at shades how dark and light certain colors are. That is what will make the photo pop when its B&W

Answer 10

Forgive me for asking, but why do you specify film and not digital?

Answer 11

Have a look at this site.
http://www.redbubble.com/black-and-white-photography

Most of it is digital.

Email me for more info, and if you are serious.