Michael Freeman's Photo School: Black & White

Book excerpt: From timeless, elegant portraits to gritty, graphic street shots, the possibilities of black and white are endless, enticing, and exciting. Recognising this potential within every shot, and knowing the digital-editing tools and techniques to maximize its effect are essential steps to building up your photographic repertoire. Having first established the fundamental aesthetic choices that go into every B&W conversion, Michael Freeman goes on to review the noble tradition of black and white, detailing its numerous styles and fashions, with step-by-step instructions on how to achieve each effect, regardless of your particular software. Presented in a straightforward and easy-to-understand format, you will soon be able to both visualise exactly how you want your final image to appear, and achieve that signature look with efficient workflows and powerful conversion techniques. These skills open up new worlds of photographic opportunity everywhere you look, and encourage artistic growth just as much as they inspire you to try new styles and exciting treatments.