Black and White Photography

Transparency. Almost all black-and-white films produce negatives that are then

printed to make a positive image. But it also is possible to make black-andwhite

transparencies (film positives). One way is to buy film specifically made

for this purpose, although there are few such films available. Another way is

to develop standard black-and-white film in special reversal chemicals, which

produce positives rather than negatives.

Chromogenic. Chromogenic black-and-white films use dyes rather than silver as

the main component of the negative, which also is how color films work. While

these films produce very good quality negatives, the main reason to use chromogenic

black-and-white films is convenience. They can be processed in any lab

that processes color film and you also can get snapshot-size black-and-white

prints from such labs at an affordable price, if you choose, though often the

prints have an overall cast of blue, brown, or some other color.

Infrared. Infrared films were originally developed for industrial and scientific

applications, but they are now widely used by creative photographers for their

unusual visual qualities, which have been variously described as surreal, dreamlike,

ethereal, and unworldly.

Black-and-white instant. Most instant films are made by Polaroid; many types

are available, including many made for professional use, sometimes called peelapart

films. These films are mostly used in medium- and large-format cameras.

Many professional Polaroid films were made to use for a quick proof—to see

how a picture would turn out before using standard film to capture the final

image.