Capturing compelling black and white photography with your iPhone might seem complex, but it’s more accessible than you think. This guide breaks down 8 essential tips to elevate your black and white iPhone images immediately.
Monochromatic urban scene featuring a silhouetted figure walking past a textured wall
1. Plan Ahead for Impactful Black and White Photography
Creating exceptional black and white photos requires forethought. Spontaneous shooting can sometimes yield results, but consistently stunning images stem from planning and pre-visualization.
Low angle shot of a modern building emphasizing its geometric facade against a bright sky
The most impactful photographs are often conceived beforehand. Instead of relying on chance encounters, approach your photography with intention.
Abstract black and white image of architectural lines converging dramatically
Don’t leave your shots to randomness. Deliberate planning is key to achieving your desired outcome.
Visualize the final image you want to create. Consider the message or feeling you aim to convey.
For instance, if you want to evoke a sense of grandeur, scout for imposing architectural structures to feature in your compositions.
High contrast black and white photograph of a towering building emphasizing its height and scale
In the photograph above, the towering building serves as the central point, effectively communicating a feeling of immense power.
Alternatively, if drama is your goal, pay close attention to lighting conditions. Think about how light and shadow can interact to create a dramatic atmosphere.
Dramatic black and white silhouette of a person against a brightly lit doorway, emphasizing shadow play
This image leverages deep shadows and a silhouette to build a sense of drama.
To generate tension in your photos, consider composition techniques. Explore how off-center placement of subjects can introduce visual unease and intrigue.
Once you’ve mentally constructed these elements, then venture out to capture your vision. This pre-planned approach is what distinguishes truly remarkable black and white photography.
2. Harness Backlighting for Dramatic Black and White Silhouettes
For adding instant drama to your black and white iPhone photography, backlighting is an invaluable technique.
Silhouette of a person standing against a bright sky, showcasing the stark contrast of backlighting
Backlighting involves positioning your subject between yourself and the light source, typically the sun. The light should originate from behind your subject, directed towards your camera.
Backlighting is particularly effective during golden hour—the early morning and late afternoon periods when the sun is low on the horizon.
Black and white image of a silhouetted cityscape at dusk, highlighting the backlighting effect
This is where planning comes into play again. Knowing the ideal times and locations for backlighting ensures you’re ready when the conditions are perfect.
How exactly does backlighting amplify drama?
When a subject is backlit, the light source from behind is intensely bright. This intense light washes out details, rendering objects as silhouettes.
Close-up silhouette of a person's profile against a bright background, emphasizing shape over detail
Silhouettes are inherently dramatic due to their stark shapes and mysterious lack of detail.
To achieve the best silhouettes, utilize the manual exposure feature within your iPhone’s Camera app. This gives you direct control over image brightness.
Screenshot of iPhone camera interface showing manual exposure adjustment with a yellow focus square
Before capturing your photo, tap on the brightest area of the scene, such as the sky or light source behind your subject. A yellow square will appear, indicating the focus and exposure point. The iPhone will then automatically darken the image to compensate for the bright background, pushing your subject into silhouette.
If the resulting silhouette isn’t dark enough, swipe down on the camera screen immediately after tapping to further reduce exposure and deepen the shadows.
Black and white silhouette of trees against a bright sky, demonstrating effective exposure control
Mastering backlighting is crucial for creating impactful and dramatic black and white iPhone photographs. Don’t overlook this powerful technique.
3. Embrace Simplicity in Composition for Stronger Images
How do you determine the most effective compositions for black and white photography? How should you arrange elements within your frame?
The answer is often found in simplicity. A fundamental principle for powerful black and white compositions is to keep it simple.
Minimalist black and white photograph of a solitary figure walking in a vast empty space
In practical terms, this means consciously removing unnecessary elements from your photographs.
Reduce the number of subjects in your frame. Ideally, aim for a single, dominant subject to maintain focus.
The photograph below exemplifies this, featuring one clear subject and focal point, resulting in a visually strong image.
Black and white portrait of a person with a blurred background, isolating the subject
Ensure your primary subject doesn’t visually clash or overlap with other objects in the scene.
Once you’ve identified your main focus, carefully examine the background. Look for any elements that might compete with or distract from your subject.
Black and white street photography scene focusing on a person walking with a clean, uncluttered background
In street photography, for example, you might wait for pedestrians to clear the background to isolate your main subject. In the image above, the subject is intentionally isolated, free from background clutter.
Black and white photograph of a solitary figure in an urban environment, emphasizing simplicity and isolation
Strive for maximum simplicity in your compositions. By minimizing distractions, you pave the way for creating truly captivating black and white photographs.
4. Incorporate People to Tell Compelling Stories
How can you deeply engage viewers with your black and white photography? The answer lies in storytelling. Use your images to narrate a visual story.
This might seem challenging, but storytelling in photography doesn’t require complex narratives. It can be as simple as conveying a feeling or capturing a fleeting, impactful moment.
Black and white photograph of a person dwarfed by a large building, suggesting a story of scale and isolation
Often, my images aim to tell stories of individuals in vast environments, like people positioned against monumental buildings. This juxtaposition conveys scale and a sense of human insignificance in a grander world.
Black and white photography is exceptionally well-suited for storytelling. The absence of color directs viewer attention to form, emotion, and narrative.
Black and white image of a small figure standing in front of a massive structure, evoking a sense of scale and story
Consider the photograph above. The tiny figure against the imposing building evokes a distinct feeling, telling a silent story of scale and presence.
To enhance your storytelling, include people in your photographs. People naturally draw viewers in, becoming relatable characters within your visual narratives.
Viewers instinctively want to understand: What is this person doing? Why are they in this scene? What emotions are they experiencing?
Another powerful technique for storytelling is incorporating mystery into your images. Leave room for viewer interpretation, sparking curiosity and engagement.
Look at the enigmatic figures in the photograph below. Doesn’t it make you wonder what’s happening?
Black and white photograph of mysterious silhouetted figures, creating intrigue and narrative questions
Silhouettes, in particular, are excellent for adding mystery. Their lack of detail prompts viewers to fill in the blanks, fostering engagement and imaginative interpretation.
Black and white silhouette of people walking, creating a sense of mystery and anonymity
Notice the inherent mystery in the silhouettes above. They invite questions and stories.
If you aspire to create impactful black and white photographs, focus on telling stories that resonate with your audience.
5. Utilize Burst Mode to Capture Subjects in Perfect Position
In black and white photography, precise subject placement is paramount. Ensuring your subject is clear of distractions and occupies the ideal spot in the frame is crucial for visual impact.
Black and white photograph of a person walking across a crosswalk, perfectly positioned in the frame
This precision is even more critical when photographing backlit silhouettes. Overlapping silhouettes can easily disrupt the clarity and impact of the image.
Therefore, achieving perfect subject placement is vital.
Black and white image of a person biking, captured at the precise moment and position
However, capturing people in motion presents a challenge. People are dynamic subjects, constantly moving.
So, how do you guarantee perfect subject placement amidst movement? The solution is to leverage burst mode.
Screenshot indicating the burst mode feature on an iPhone camera, ready for capturing action
Burst mode is an invaluable iPhone camera feature that allows you to rapidly capture numerous photos in quick succession—over 10 frames per second.
This rapid capture capability is perfect for capturing fleeting moments and ensuring you don’t miss the ideal shot.
Black and white action shot of a person jumping, frozen in mid-air using burst mode
To use burst mode, simply press and hold the shutter button as your subject begins to move into the desired frame. Continue holding the button until the action is complete.
Your iPhone will capture a rapid sequence of images.
After shooting, you can review the burst sequence, select your best shots, and discard the rest.
Black and white photograph of a cyclist in motion, perfectly captured using burst mode in an urban setting
Without burst mode, capturing the cyclist in the perfect position as seen above would have been significantly more challenging. Burst mode ensures you capture those critical, fleeting moments.
Embrace burst mode to significantly increase your chances of capturing the decisive moment in your black and white photography.
6. Utilize Foreground Elements for Unique Black and White Images
Do you find it challenging to create black and white photographs that stand out? With so much photography already available, achieving originality can feel difficult.
Black and white photograph using foreground elements to frame and add depth to the scene
Here’s a technique to help you produce unique black and white iPhone photos: incorporate a clear foreground subject. Choose a recognizable object that can guide the viewer’s eye towards the background.
Black and white image focusing on a textured foreground element with a softer background, creating depth
Position yourself extremely close to this foreground subject, making it prominent in the frame.
Then, compose your shot to include a secondary, smaller subject in the background, creating a sense of depth and scale. In the example below, a smaller figure is positioned behind a larger foreground element.
Black and white photograph featuring a prominent foreground element leading to a distant subject, creating visual layers
Capture the image.
The aim is to create immediate visual interest in the foreground, drawing the viewer into the scene and then leading their gaze towards the background elements.
Black and white shot using a railing as a foreground element to guide the eye to figures in the distance
Notice how the railing in the photograph above effectively directs the eye towards the smaller figures in the distance. This is the desired effect.
Experiment with different perspectives. Vary your shooting angle, getting lower, higher, or shifting to the sides to explore how the foreground element interacts with the scene.
A particularly effective foreground subject is a directional arrow on the ground, as used in the photo below.
Black and white photograph utilizing a ground arrow as a leading foreground element to direct attention
Position yourself low, emphasizing the arrow in the foreground, and align it with your background subject to create a compelling visual pathway.
This technique yields original and captivating images, adding a unique dimension to your black and white iPhone photography.
7. Explore Train Stations for Unique Black and White Photography
Black and white photography is versatile, with compelling subjects found virtually anywhere.
Black and white photograph in a train station, highlighting lines, shadows, and human activity
However, certain locations offer richer opportunities. Train stations are particularly fertile grounds for black and white photography.
Black and white scene inside a train station, focusing on architectural details and waiting passengers
Shooting in train stations provides abundant stunning image opportunities.
What makes train stations so ideal?
Firstly, train stations often feature strong lines and deep shadows, elements that translate exceptionally well into black and white.
Moreover, the constant flow of people in train stations provides endless storytelling possibilities.
Artificial lighting within stations also offers opportunities for creative backlighting.
Here’s a recommended approach for photographing in a train station:
Black and white photograph of a person walking down stairs in a train station, backlit by overhead lights
Position yourself near stairs, ideally against a wall where stairs emerge into a larger space.
Remain still and observant, almost blending into the background.
Black and white image of a solitary figure in a train station, captured waiting on a platform
Wait patiently for compelling moments to unfold. A solitary figure descending stairs, backlit by station lights, can create a dramatic scene.
When such moments arise, be ready to shoot. Capture the image, and remember to use burst mode to ensure you get the perfect shot.
Black and white photograph capturing movement in a train station, utilizing burst mode for sharp results
Train stations offer a unique environment for capturing special black and white images. Explore them and discover their photographic potential.
8. Enhance Your Black and White Photography Through Editing
Capturing great black and white photos in-camera is essential, but it’s not the final step.
Black and white photograph prepared for editing, showing potential for enhancement
To achieve truly outstanding black and white iPhone photos, editing is indispensable.
Black and white edited photograph showcasing enhanced contrast and tones
Editing isn’t about falsifying reality; it’s about refining your images to match your initial vision and perception.
Black and white photograph demonstrating the subtle yet impactful effects of post-processing
Cameras have limitations. They can’t perfectly replicate what the human eye sees. Editing bridges this gap, allowing you to represent reality as you experienced it.
Editing helps you realize the photographic moment you originally envisioned.
Black and white photograph highlighting the importance of editing in achieving the desired final look
How should you approach editing black and white photography?
Apps like Filterstorm Neue are powerful options, while Snapseed provides a robust free alternative. VSCO also offers attractive black and white filters. Most photo editing apps provide the necessary tools.
Begin by revisiting your initial vision for the image.
Monochromatic urban scene featuring a silhouetted figure walking past a textured wall
Ask yourself, “What do I want to achieve with this image?” This connects back to your pre-visualization stage.
While I typically shoot in color and then convert to black and white using apps like Filterstorm Neue or Snapseed, you can also start by shooting directly in black and white using apps like Blackie.
In Snapseed, convert to black and white by selecting Tools, then Black & White. You’ll find various black and white filter presets to choose from.
Screenshot of Snapseed app interface showing black and white filter options
The iPhone’s built-in Camera app also offers a useful black and white filter: Noir. Its high contrast is well-suited for black and white photography.
Access the Noir filter in the Editing section of your Photos app.
To apply the Noir filter, open your photo, tap Edit, then the Filters icon (three overlapping circles), and select Noir.
Screenshot of iPhone editing interface showing the Noir filter option
Tap Done to save your edits.
Contrast is crucial in black and white photography. Always consider boosting contrast to add drama and tension to your images.
Adding vignettes, subtle darkening around the image edges, can also enhance your black and white photos by drawing focus to the center of the frame.
Notice how the darkened corners in the photo below emphasize the central figure.
Black and white photograph with a vignette effect, drawing focus to the person in the center
Editing is an essential part of the black and white photography process. Use it to refine your images and fully realize your creative vision. Don’t neglect this powerful tool.
