Black & White Photography Workshop

Learn the art of black-and-white photography with our photography short courses in Sydney!

Colour is descriptive. Black-and-white is interpretive. Black-and-white photography is not photography without colour, it's a different art form demanding a different mindset and different skills. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn the basics of black-and-white photography, including high key and low-key lighting, contrast, colour and texture.

In this photography course, you will examine the best camera settings for black-and-white photography and explore ways to identify suitable scenes and subjects, from landscapes to portraits to close-ups and much more. Following some introductory theory, you will go on location to shoot a series of photos specifically for black-and-white conversion. Next, you will learn to process your photos using Photoshop, as well as Adobe Camera RAW. If you're looking for a fun and practical workshop that enhances your skills and furthers your theoretical knowledge of photography then this course is for you!

Learning outcomes

By the end of this black & white photography workshop, you should be able to:

• Gain a solid understanding of a wide range of camera settings for optimal black-and-white and monochrome photography
• Understand the nature of light and how to control the exposure using a histogram
• Understand the theoretical underpinnings of black and white photography and how it differs from colour photography
• Utilise the powerful features of Photoshop and Lightroom plug-ins to turn RAW colour images into stunning black-and-white artworks

Course content

What will be covered in this black & white photography workshop?

Theory

• Understanding the fundamental differences between black and white and colour photography
• High-key and low-key lighting
• Contrast, colour and texture
• Exploring famous photographer's black and white work. Notably Elliott Erwitt & Jennifer Price
• Ansel Adams’ zone system

Practical

• Optimal camera settings for optimal black-and-white and monochrome photography
• Using a histogram and Levels tools to get the best tonal range and contrast for dramatic black-and-white photos
• Identify suitable scenes and subjects to photograph

Post Production

• Colour image conversion
• RGB model & Photoshop channels
• LAB colour
• Hue/saturation with an adjustment layer
• Twin hue/saturation method
• Gradient map
• Channel mixer
• Photoshop’s Black-and-White Tool

Intended audience

Who is this black & white photography workshop for?

This course is for anyone who has a thorough working knowledge of their camera, aperture, shutter speeds, focusing, and the basic principles of photography, or anyone who has completed a beginner's photography course or similar. 

Course venue

Rozelle Campus

2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)

Course materials

What to bring to class

• A DSLR – digital single-lens reflex camera/four thirds or mirrorless camera with adjustable ISO and aperture settings.
• Lenses – Bring along any lenses you own.
• Laptop computer (Mac or Windows) with Adobe Photoshop loaded. If you don’t have Photoshop, you can download a free 7-day trial version.