I consider myself a black and white photographer working in colour because structure is extremely important to my compositions. A large percentage of my own photographs are composed of monochromatic colour. However, there are times when colour impedes the central theme in a photograph, by competing for attention or dominating certain elements in the picture space. I love the two mediums and feel fortunate to have the ability to work in both over the past 40 years.

Black and white transforms photography back to its fundamental building blocks of light and dark values. With the absence of colour, black and white images have the potential to produce powerful contrasting tones. As a photographer it is particularly important to have an ability to recognize tonal values and contrasts and the role they play in composition— establishing mood and contributing to the structure of the photograph. The intuitive process of visualization can only be learned through consistent study and practice.

Studying tonal relationships will help you refine your intuition and judgment, allowing a greater understanding of monochrome’s creative potential. How you assign tonal values in a photograph depends upon what you are trying to achieve. Ultimately, design should never follow rules; intuitive judgment is the only method that that enables an imaginative approach.

Outcomes:
• Recognize tonal values and the role they play in composition.
• Creating impact with tone.
• Learn to distinguish Value contrast (relative lightness or darkness).
• Learn how value and colour are related.
• Creating mood using the subtlety of tone.
• Side by side comparisons of colour and monochrome interpretations.