While taking photographs in color is often a common choice, black and white photography often affords interesting results. The following points are quick tips for black and white photography.



1. There are many different sizes of film, and different formats: 35mm (1" x 1"), medium format- 120 (2" x 2 "), and large format (4" x 5"). Typically, people will start off using a 35mm SLR (single-lens reflex) camera. With an SLR, you can focus and view the subject directly through the lens.

2. Film speed should be taken into consideration, and films are rated by an ASA (American Standards Association) number. 32 ASA film is a slow film and is used in well-lit situations; slow film produces fine grain negatives. 125 ASA film is a medium speed film generally used for outdoor photography, and it produces medium grain negatives. 400 ASA film is a fast film and is good for indoor, dimly lit photography; this film produces coarse grain negatives.

3. You can control the amount of light entering the lens by changing the aperture. F-stop settings are a measurement of the size of the lens opening. Small F-stop numbers mean a larger lens opening, allowing more light in. Large F-stop numbers mean a smaller opening, allowing less light in. Typical F-stop range: 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22.

4. There are different sized lenses, and they are distinguished by focal length (measured in mm). A wide angle view corresponds to a short focal length. A narrow angle view corresponds to a long focal length. A few lens types and focal lengths: normal (50mm), wide angle (21-35mm), and telephoto (105-300mm).

5. The shutter speed determines the time the film is exposed to light. The faster the shutter speed, the less time light is exposed to the film. A slow shutter speed means that the film is being exposed to light for a longer amount of time. The following are shutter speeds: B, T, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500, 1000. You can determine the time the shutter is open by placing a 1 over each number to get a fraction. For example, 2 means the shutter is open for on half of a second

6. Referring to shutter speed, the B stands for bulb, and the T stands for time. When you hold down the B, the shutter will stay open for as long as it is pressed down. If you use T, the shutter will remain open from the time you push it down, until it is pressed again.