Alright, so the other day I got this idea stuck in my head – we needed a good family photo, but something a bit different. Not the usual bright, colorful stuff. I wanted that classic, timeless look, you know? So, a black and white family photo it was.
Getting Started – The Plan (Sort Of)
First off, I wasn’t about to hire anyone or rent a studio. Nah, keep it simple. Decided we’d just do it right here at home. Less fuss, and honestly, capturing us in our own space felt more real.
Next big question: what to wear? I read somewhere you don’t actually need to wear black and white clothes for a black and white photo. Makes sense, right? The main thing is avoiding really busy patterns that might look weird without color. So, the instructions were simple:
- Wear solid colors if possible.
- Think about contrast a little – maybe not everyone in the exact same shade.
- Comfort is key, especially with the kids. Didn’t want anyone grumpy.
Getting everyone on board and dressed was, well, exactly how you’d expect. A bit chaotic, some last-minute changes, but we managed.
The Actual Photo Taking Bit
I’m no pro photographer. Just used my regular digital camera, nothing fancy. Could’ve probably used my phone too, they’re pretty good these days. I found a spot near the big window in the living room. Natural light is usually the best bet, and it saves messing with flashes.
We tried a few different setups. Some sitting on the couch, some standing. Tried to get a few ‘posed’ ones, looking at the camera. But honestly? The best ones came from just messing around. Telling a joke, tickling the kids. Those candid moments always look better, less stiff.
Took loads of pictures. Seriously, tons. You need options. Kids blink, someone looks away, someone makes a weird face. You just keep snapping and hope for the best. It wasn’t exactly a smooth, professional shoot, more like controlled chaos, but it was fun.
Making Them Black and White
Okay, photos taken. Got them off the camera onto my computer. Now, the black and white part. Again, kept it simple. Most computers have a basic photo editing app built-in, or you can find easy ones online or on your phone.
Opened up the pictures, found the ‘edit’ button. Looked for filters or color adjustments. Found the black and white filter – usually called ‘mono’, ‘noir’, or just ‘black and white’. Clicked that.
Instantly looked different. Sometimes the basic filter is enough. Other times, I had to tweak it a little. Played with the brightness and contrast sliders. Just moving them back and forth until the picture looked right. Didn’t want it too dark or too washed out. Just looking for clear faces, nice tones.
Went through the maybe 50 photos we took, picked the best 5 or 6, applied the black and white effect, tweaked them slightly. That was pretty much it.
How It Turned Out
You know what? For a home job with zero fancy gear, I was pretty chuffed. The photos have this really nice, classic feel. Without the distraction of color, you kinda focus more on expressions and the connection between everyone. It captured us, just being us, but with that cool, slightly arty black and white vibe.
Definitely worth the little bit of effort. It wasn’t hard, just took a bit of time and patience. Give it a try if you’re thinking about it.
