Black & White

Black and White (Special Interest Group)

In this special interest group, co-hosted by Steve Ricketts and Ron Ross, members come together to share a special interest for black and white photography. This lively and interactive monthly meeting is open to photographers of all skill levels. It runs on the first Thursday of the month, September through May.

Video with overview of SIG (members only)

Why Black and White Photography?
It's a medium for artistic expression where the emphasis is on the shapes, the contrasts and the patterns instead of in the colour. See examples.

Meeting Format
Meeting are conducted digitally via Zoom. To participate you will need a computer with a microphone and camera, or a smart tablet. You must pre-register to receive the link to the Zoom meetings.

what to expect

Learn

A presentation (by a member or guest) on an aspect of B&W photography (e.g. the use of high tonal contrast in B&W images) or demonstrating a technique (e.g. using Lightroom, Photoshop, Silver Efex).
A member showing a portfolio of their work.
A live group edit of images. Someone will share their screen and do the editing, based on everyone’s suggestions.

An exercise or challenge such as "My photo, your edit.”
Taking and processing a B&W image in the style of a well-known B&W photographer.

Share

Each B&W SIG meeting will have a theme. Members are encouraged to submit images based on that theme, or any images they wish to share.
All members are encouraged to ask questions or make suggestions on the images.

meeting Dates & Themes

Meetings are held online first Thursday of the month (September to May) from 7:00-8:30 PM.See recordings of SIG meetings (members only)

Sep 7, 2023: Architectural B+W. Architectural photography can be the whole building, details of the building, or even groups of buildings.

Oct 5, 2023: Ultra high contrast. This can vary from images containing only blacks and whites, to images containing a full range of tones but dominated by stark contrast differences.

Nov 2, 2023: Smoke, Fog, and/or Mist. This could be an image that is mainly about the smoke, etc. (e.g. incense, or a foggy landscape), or where this element is important to the image (e.g. a person smoking, or a smokestack.)

Dec 7, 2023: Glass, metal, and/or chrome.

Jan 4, 2024: Emulate one or more historical B+W process (can include toner and dye processes such as sepia). Be prepared to tell the group why you chose this process, how you did it, and why it suits or enhances your image.

Feb 8, 2024: Low light.

Mar 7, 2024: Backlit.

Apr 4, 2024: Snow and/or ice.

May 2, 2024: People. This could range from a formal portrait to a street scene.

Jun 6, 2024: Anything Goes! (Open.)