Visual Wilderness
  • Get Started
  • Shop
    • SPECIAL OFFERS
    • STREAMING SERVICE
    • Browse by Topic
    • Learn To Shoot
    • Post Processing
    • Online Classes
    • eBooks
    • Landscape Photography Guide
  • Blog
    • Blog
    • Guest Photographers
  • About
  • My Account
    • My Account
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • 0Shopping Cart
Black and White Landscape Photography by Jack Curran

Tips and Techniques for Black & White Landscape Photography

November 15, 2019/in Fieldwork/by Jack Curran

Jack Curran is a fine art black and white landscape photographer with truly outstanding work that has won numerous international awards. He started over 30 years ago with just an introduction to a black-and-white photography course which he combined with his passion for the great outdoors. For Jack Curran, landscape photography is all about the “lure of light”. Whether chasing the extreme light of a mountain storm or weathering the chill of a winter storm event, it’s all about chasing the light.

Here are a few tips and techniques from Jack Curran that will help you get started with black & white landscape photography:

Equipment

Any DSLR or mirrorless camera will work when you are first getting started with black & white landscape photography. Here is a list of equipment that I use to capture photos like these:

  • Camera and lenses: Canon 5DsR’s, wide angle lens: 16-35mm; standard zoom lens: 24-105mm; telephoto zoom lens: 100-400mm
  • Filters: I use the Haida M10 filter system with 1 Stop, 3 Stop, 6 Stop, 10 Stop, ND filters and a polarizer
  • Special equipment: I do own and use a Tiffen BW viewing filter for previews and handheld black frame.
Black & White Photography by Jack Curran

Against the Storm, Big Cypress, Florida by Jack Curran

Almost all of my landscape photos are shot in color using RAW format. These photos then get converted to black and white using Adobe Lightroom Classic.

Pre-visualization

I think pre-visualization can be helpful. Even though I’m old school and I’m a faster with my analog method of the handheld mono viewer and black frame. Using the camera and live-view can sometimes lock you into a particular view, focal length, and perspective.

Black & White Landscape Photography by Jack Curran

Black & White Landscape Photography by Jack Curran

Putting the camera in B/W can be an excellent way to learn. You must make sure you don’t get too locked-in. If you were to carry it around with a zoom lens and work different composition ideas from a lot of angles, trying to pre-visualize the outcome, that might work well.

Also, when doing this, I want folks to think about the following: How do you intend (with purposeful intent) to use your post-production tools to finalize the image? Many people lock into what they see on screen and then have a predisposed set of expectations. But the truth for me is that it is just the beginning. I combine pre-visualization in field with my vision for how it will evolve when I’m thinking about the post and the final print.

Black & White Landscape Photography from Patagonia, Chile by Jack Curran

Black & white Landscape photography – God Beams in  Patagonia, Chile by Jack Curran

One clear benefit of pre-visualization is during low light conditions. I’ve used it well before sunrise with moonlit nights. I crank the ISO which allows me to see what was barely visible.

Fieldwork

I shoot in color because I can then do my conversions and, if needed, use the black & white post processing sliders the same way I previously put filters over the lens when I shot large format. I see and think in black & white using the flow of light, range of brightness and contrast, and more. However, I also carry and small Tiffen monochromatic viewer and a black cut-out frame to pre-visualize the landscape that I am photographing. This approach allows me to slow down and really hunt and explore for the range of light and composition. This brings me to part of your question.

Landscape Photography in Desert

Light play in Landscape Photography in Desert by Jack Curran

I generally underexpose and open the shadows in post. I feel like I need to preserve and protect the highlight detail. I’ve learned to deal with potential noise and selectively clean it up. Lastly, I always lay my backpack down and walk around a scene with my mono viewer and black viewing frame. I compose, visualize, and try to realize the final image in my mind’s eye before I even get a camera out. It helps the creative process.

Printing Black and White Photos

Printing black & white photos can be complicated. Having printed in the silver darkroom for 30 years, my expectation for my landscape photography prints is exceptionally high. I print all my work, mat and mount, sign in pencil, have editions with holographic stickers on the back as well a certificate of authenticity.

I use an Epson P800 and 44″ Epson 9900 and print all my work on Baryta fibre-based paper (mostly Hahnemuhle using Photo Rag or Fine Art Rag). These work best with my black & white landscape photography and have a tremendous dynamic range from deep black to bright white. A few years ago, I started using the Epson Advance BW settings with great success. I have used both ICC profiles and built my own profiles and saved them per each image. But, I have to be honest, each black and white image demands testing and refinement.

Correct Balance Between Whites and Blacks in a Photo

There is nothing wrong with a lot of white space in a black & white photo. It’s all about balance and what visual story you are trying to communicate.

  • White space in Black & White Landscape Photography by Jack Curran

    White space in black & white landscape photography by Jack Curran

  • Black & White landscape photo with white space

    Black & white landscape photo with white space – Lone Tree, Forest Park, St. Louis

When appropriately used as negative space, white can help define a focal point, isolate a subject, and accentuate visual balance. If your subject matter is not very interesting to the viewer, white just overpowers the image and yes, it will fall apart. Above are a couple of pictures that help illustrate how a fair amount of white space helps the image.

Workflow for Black & White Landscape Photography

Beyond a good photography composition, there are certain things that I recommend to photographers who want to create more dynamic black & white photos. I like to call these the Presence Elements: Range of Light, Contrast, Flow of Light, Transitions, Mood/Drama, Tension, and Luminosity. When looking at a scene, I generally teach students to look for at least three or four of these elements.

Black and White photography with flow lines and textures at Devil's Tower by Jack Curran

Black and white photography with flow lines and textures at Devil’s Tower by Jack Curran

Additionally, it is essential to consider your post-production skills especially concerning your ability to enhance these elements. I’ve taken many of my original photos on overcast, flat light days, and I work very hard to bring out these elements in post. Once you begin to master the tools and techniques, you will start to see better and visualize the potential outcome before you take the photo.

To learn more about Jack and his work, check out his inspirational website below.

Note

Jack Curran passed away unexpectedly at age 62 on September 24, 2020.

About Author Jack Curran

Jack Curran is an internationally awarded black and white landscape photographer. In recent years, Jack’s photography has been exhibited in Paris, Athens, Berlin, Moscow, and Malaga Spain and domestically in the US. Most recently, Jack, has won numerous International photography awards, including Gold, Silver, and Bronze in the IPA, PX3, Monochrome Awards, ND Awards, MIFA, and TIFA.

You might say there was a natural collision of circumstances between Jack’s nearly lifelong love of nature and that of photography. His wondrous journey into nature began when he attended an Outward Bound month-long wilderness course at age 16. At 18, (just over 40 years ago) he picked up his first camera, developed his first B&W print in the darkroom and quickly put his two passions together.

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Tags: Black and White
You might also like
Cover for Black and White Landscape photography post by Craig McCordLearning to See for Black and White Photography
Black and White Landscape Photography from Bandon, Oregon by Craig McCordHow to Simplify Your Black and White Photography Compositions
How to approach black and white photography blog post by Athena CareyBetter BW Photography Using Tonal Contrast
Athena Carey: B/W Long Exposure Images
Cover for Black and White Photography blog post by Varina PatelBlack and White Photography Tips to Control Tonal Contrast
Black and White Photography by Athena Carey.Why you should try Black and White Landscape Photography

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY NEWSLETTER

Join 45,000+ Nature Photographers and get the free eBooks, free creativity course & discount codes right in your inbox.

loader

Note: We never share your email address with anyone. More Info.

Blog | Shop | About

 Email Policy  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms

INFOCUS NEWSLETTER

Join 45,000+ other photographers and get the Free eBooks, Free Creativity Course & Discount Codes right in your inbox.


loader

Note: We never share your email address with anyone. More Info.

All Rights Reserved, © Copyright Visual Wilderness

When to use Auto ISO Setting for Nature PhotographyAerial landscape photography using Auto ISO Setting by Jay PatelFeature Image for Milky Way Night Photography blog post by Austin JacksonDos & Don’ts of Milky Way Night Photography
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OK

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Privacy Policy

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

Privacy Policy
Learn More
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY NEWSLETTERJoin 45,000+ Nature Photographers

Unlock Your Photography Potential! Get Free Webinars, Tips, eBooks, and More Delivered Straight to Your Inbox! 📸✨

We never share your email address with anyone. More Info.

Enter your email address