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Magical Monochrome | B&W Photography — iPhotography Short Course

Magical Monochrome | B&W Photography

Learn what it actually takes to create bold, striking black and white images — from choosing the right subjects and light to the angles and colours that make or break a monochrome shot.

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What You'll Learn

What's Covered in This Short Course

Removing colour from a photo doesn't automatically make it artistic — it takes a very different eye to make black and white work powerfully. In this course, Stephen Walton reveals exactly what to look for, what to avoid, and how to think when shooting and editing in monochrome.

Monochrome vs black and white — do you know if these two terms actually mean the same thing? The answer changes how you think about this genre and opens up creative options most photographers haven't considered

Choosing the right subjects — not every subject translates well into black and white, and some common choices actively work against you. Find out the three questions to ask yourself before you press the shutter

Light quality for monochrome — the type of light you shoot under has a completely different effect in black and white compared to colour. Discover which conditions produce the most dramatic, high-contrast results and why

Angles for black and white — without colour to create visual interest, your angle becomes everything. Stephen shows you the specific approaches — from low angles to converging lines — that give monochrome images their impact

Colours to avoid when shooting for black and white — some colours in your scene will ruin the translation to mono before you've even opened the edit. Find out exactly which ones to watch out for and why they cause problems

Camera settings and shooting in RAW — should you use your camera's black and white mode when shooting, or shoot in colour and convert later? Stephen reveals the approach that gives you the most creative control and the best results

Lens filters for black and white — you may have seen old-school coloured lens filters and wondered what they were for. Find out how they boost contrast in mono images and what the modern equivalent is that every black and white photographer should have

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Who It's For

Is This Short Course for You?

You love the look of great black and white photography but when you try it yourself the results come out flat, grey and lacking the bold contrast you were going for

You've been desaturating colour photos and hoping for the best — and you're starting to realise there's a lot more to monochrome than just removing the colour

You're not sure which subjects and lighting conditions are best suited to black and white, and you often find yourself second-guessing whether a scene will work in mono before you shoot it

You want to understand the masters of monochrome — what they see, how they think, and what principles you can apply to bring that same quality of vision to your own photography

Your Instructor

Meet Your Instructor

Stephen Walton

Head Tutor · iPhotography

Stephen Walton is one of the UK's leading online photography educators and the Head Tutor of iPhotography. With a passion that spans every genre — from landscapes and portraits to macro, street and beyond — Stephen brings broad, hands-on expertise to every subject he teaches. His clear, practical style cuts through the jargon and focuses on what actually makes a difference behind the lens, helping photographers of all levels get real results, fast.

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£29

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Full short course video — watch at your own pace
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Enrol Now — £29

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use my camera's black and white mode when shooting? +

This is one of the most important practical questions in black and white photography — and the answer depends on which file format you're shooting in. Stephen covers this in detail, including the specific reason why shooting in RAW gives you a critical safety net that JPEG doesn't, and how to use your camera's preview mode to your advantage while keeping all your options open.

What subjects work best in black and white? +

There's more to this than you might think — and Stephen gives you a clear set of questions to ask yourself before you shoot any scene in mono. Once you understand why certain subjects thrive without colour and others fall flat, you'll approach every scene with a completely different eye.

What camera do I need? +

Any DSLR, mirrorless or bridge camera that shoots in RAW will work well. The principles and techniques Stephen covers apply across all brands and models. There's no specialist equipment required.

Is there a best time of day or weather condition to shoot black and white? +

Absolutely — and this is one of the things that makes the biggest immediate difference to your results. Stephen explains precisely which light conditions give you that bold, high-contrast monochrome look, and why certain weather conditions that photographers normally avoid can actually be ideal for black and white work.

How do I access the course after purchase? +

You'll be directed straight to your short course as soon as your payment is confirmed. It's stored securely in your iPhotography account — just log in to watch whenever you like. You'll also receive a confirmation email with a link to get started.

What if I have a question after watching? +

You're welcome to reach out to the iPhotography team and we'll do our best to help. You can also explore our full-length courses — our members get access to in-depth programmes, a thriving community, and ongoing tutor support.