Black and white is the #PetPhotographyChallenge for week nine. Madison finally got the modeling job this week because our photographer said she is perfect for black and white. This weeks challenge is technical since last week’s challenge was composition.
What is a black and white photo?
It seems obvious, black and white means black and white, but in photography, it is a bit more. Unless you shoot in raw format, most black and white photos are converted from color photos. In the conversion, the colors become shades of gray. Lighter colors become highlights, and the darker colors become dark tones. The difference in the gray tones create a unique contrast. For a long time b/w photos were out, but they are making a comeback and are quite popular these days!
How does one shoot a black and white photo?
- If you have a nice DSLR camera, shooting in RAW format is the best option, but you then have to have the proper editing software to work with the RAW photo. My photographer cannot for the life of her figure out how to edit RAW photos, so she gave up shooting them.
- Shoot your photos in color and convert them to black and white.
- Look for contrast. Madison is naturally dark black and white which provides natural color contrast.
- Watch the composition. My photographer is using the rule of thirds and depth of field to create a lot of blank/blurred out space to the left of Madison. Using these rules conveys the idea of Madison looking out into the distance.
We love the way the details came out in this shot. The strands of fur, especially in Madison’s eye brows, the fresh snow flakes on her dark ear furs, the way her furs are all sticking up and are so sharp, and her focus. What we don’t like is that she looks like an adult dog, and she is supposed to be our puppy! What do you think? Do you like b/w photos when they are done well?
Madison you look fabulous… you have such a noble look, I bet your ancestors were the pups of that comte d’elva…
She has some of my genes, so she will be a perfect hound 😉
love the shot! I was going to enter but changed my mind because all of my B&W shots were done with photo editing.
Thank you. There’s nothing wrong with changing them to b/w with a photo program. Not all cameras do b/w shots.
I love the snow on her ears! Such a pretty photo!
Thank you. The detail came out really well.
Oh,no, Emma! Little Madison is stealing your show! XOXO, Sparkle
In some ways, I’m enjoying having a bit more free time with my sisters doing more work, but I do have to make sure Madison remembers who the real queen of the house and blog empire is!
Stunning
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
Thank you.
Beautiful shot. Did you hear back from the modeling agency?
No, not yet, but the first project was postponed which will make Bailie too old. There will be others in the future.
Pawsome photo!
Nose nudges,
CEO Olivia
Thank you. She is our little beauty.
I love this photo, Emma! Your mom did a great job! But Madison is growing up. She may be a puppy maturity-wise, but physically is something else again. But that’s okay – I have a feeling that Madison will retain her puppy playfulness and personality for a while longer. ❤
Bailie is coming up on four and is total puppy, so we think Madison will remain puppy like for a long time, but she is growing up so fast!
I understand! Callie grew up – physically – fast, too. She was a puppy at heart for at least 5 years (like Shadow); but she looked like an adult by the time she was 8 months old.
Bailie still has a puppy face and total puppy behavior!
Very nice! I love the details of the fur and the snow in her fur as well. You are so right though, she definitely looks like an adult dog. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look so serious…she is definitely becoming a great model too.
She gets very serious when she is checking something out in the distance.
Madison makes a terrific model. I am a huge fan of black & white photography ♥
We especially like it this time of year when everything is so ugly outside, there is no good color to photograph!
That is a magical photo!
Thank you.
Black and White are GOOD colors.
It can make for some real fun photos.
That is a great picture; Madison does look like a young lady instead of a puppy! And yes, we do like black ‘n white photos. Every Sunday we join the Black and White Sunday blog hop. Not sure if you’ve heard of it, but it is hosted by Dachshund Nola and Sugar the Golden Retriever every Sunday.
We used to do either that hop or the selfie hop, but then we decided posting M – F was plenty and we take weekends off unless something special occurs.
beautiful photo
Thank you.
It came out really nice. I find it hard to photograph our dogs in black and white.
I think with solid colored dogs it is more difficult, but it might be something to play around with.
Such a beautiful picture…Madison is looking very regal today!!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
PeeEss..Our photographer uses Lightroom to play with our RAW photos and loves it!
Your photographer is so good with editing software. My photographer isn’t too good at it and gets frustrated. Not sure where to get lightroom, but we have heard of it and may need to look into it.
RAW produces some spectacular results but mostly if you plan to print them. Generally speaking it isn’t necessary when posting to the ‘Net. Your adorable model has quite the career ahead of her whether she’s a puppy or an adult-nice job! We love shooting (or editing) in B&W, it’s ‘pawfect’ for showing the beauty of textures.
It is a fun look for some shots.
I love the way the details stood out too! That’s a fabulous photo!!!!
Thank you. I worked out well.