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EPISODE · Mar 28, 2018 · 40 MIN

How to Make Stunning B&W Photos

from Behind the Shot

Editors Note: This episode was originally distributed through TWiP &#8211; This Week in Photo, and the YouTube Video above is through the TWiP YouTube Page. Please be sure to subscribe to their YouTube page, and visit their site to check out all of the TWiP shows. Chris Smith is like very few other photographers I know. A high school physics teacher for 17 years, Chris left the security of that world to teach photography and run Out of Chicago full time. Out of Chicago is one of the things that grew from Chris’ photography blog, along with his book. In 2014 Out of Chicago held the first annual Out of Chicago Photography Conference, which has since grown to be the largest photography conference of its kind in the midwest, attracting photographers from around the world. Some of the best photographers, and more importantly photography educators, teach at Out of Chicago. People like Art Wolfe, Rick Sammon, Bryan Peterson, Valerie Jardin, Matt Kloskowski, Frederick Van Johnson, Elia Locardi, Thomas Leuthard, Bill Fortney, Tim Wallace, Julia Anna Gospodarou, Scott Bourne, Jimmy McIntyre, Lindsay Adler, Jen Rozenbaum to name a few. What is that group photo like? Before you start thinking Chris is all Chicago all of the time, let me point out that Out of Chicago is much more than just the Out of Chicago Photography Conference. Leading workshops around the country, and the popular Out of Moab conference in Moab, Utah, Chris is an all around photography leader. His book “The Photographer’s Guide to Chicago” covers 100 of the best locations in Chicago, and how to photograph them. The 1st Edition can be found on Amazon, and the updated 2nd edition is available on the Out of Chicago website. Join photographer, educator, and businessman Chris Smith and me as we discuss the Out of Chicago conference, and his wonderful black &#38; white image “Above the L”, on this episode of Behind the Shot. Connect with Out of Chicago Web: outofchicago.com Blog: outofchicago.com/resources/blog YouTube: @outofchicago Facebook: @OutOfChicago Podcast: iTunes EBooks: outofchicago.com/resources/ebooks Connect with Chris Personal: csmithchicago.com Facebook: @csmithchicago Instagram: @csmithchicago Twitter: @csmithchicago Flickr: flickr.com/photos/65315936@N00 Book: Photographers Guide to Chicago – 100 of the Best Locations and How to Photograph Them <img width="150" height="150" src="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Burlington-_Route_at_Chicago_Museum_of_Science_and_Industry.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Burlington-_Route_at_Chicago_Museum_of_Science_and_Industry.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Burlington-_Route_at_Chicago_Museum_of_Science_and_Industry.jpg?zoom=2&#38;resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Burlington-_Route_at_Chicago_Museum_of_Science_and_Industry.jpg?zoom=3&#38;resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 450w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" data-attachment-id="653" data-permalink="https://behindtheshot.tv/burlington-route-at-chicagos-museum-of-science-and-industry/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Burlington-_Route_at_Chicago_Museum_of_Science_and_Industry.jpg?fit=1024%2C559&#38;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1024,559" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&#34;aperture&#34;:&#34;6.3&#34;,&#34;credit&#34;:&#34;&#34;,&#34;camera&#34;:&#34;Canon EOS 6D&#34;,&#34;caption&#34;:&#34;From the entrance to the Museum of Science and Industry&#34;,&#34;created_timestamp&#34;:&#34;1373373093&#34;,&#34;copyright&#34;:&#34;&#34;,&#34;focal_length&#34;:&#34;24&#34;,&#34;iso&#34;:&#34;6400&#34;,&#34;shutter_speed&#34;:&#34;0.0666666666667&#34;,&#34;title&#34;:&#34;Burlington Route at Chicago&#039;s Museum of Science and Industry&#34;,&#34;orientation&#34;:&#34;0&#34;}" data-image-title="Burlington Route at Chicago&#38;#8217;s Museum of Science and Industry" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&#60;p&#62;From the entrance to the Museum of Science and Industry&#60;/p&#62; " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Burlington-_Route_at_Chicago_Museum_of_Science_and_Industry.jpg?fit=1024%2C559&#38;ssl=1" /> <img width="150" height="150" src="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Calatrava.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Calatrava.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Calatrava.jpg?zoom=2&#38;resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Calatrava.jpg?zoom=3&#38;resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 450w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" data-attachment-id="655" data-permalink="https://behindtheshot.tv/calatrava/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Calatrava.jpg?fit=1024%2C662&#38;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1024,662" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&#34;aperture&#34;:&#34;11&#34;,&#34;credit&#34;:&#34;&#34;,&#34;camera&#34;:&#34;Canon EOS 6D&#34;,&#34;caption&#34;:&#34;This was my first time shooting the Milwaukee Art Museum at night. What an experience. Thank you CJ Schmit for a great night of shooting!&#34;,&#34;created_timestamp&#34;:&#34;1441486060&#34;,&#34;copyright&#34;:&#34;&#34;,&#34;focal_length&#34;:&#34;85&#34;,&#34;iso&#34;:&#34;400&#34;,&#34;shutter_speed&#34;:&#34;10&#34;,&#34;title&#34;:&#34;Calatrava&#34;,&#34;orientation&#34;:&#34;0&#34;}" data-image-title="Calatrava" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&#60;p&#62;This was my first time shooting the Milwaukee Art Museum at night. What an experience. Thank you CJ Schmit for a great night of shooting!&#60;/p&#62; " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Calatrava.jpg?fit=1024%2C662&#38;ssl=1" /> <img width="150" height="150" src="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Dont_Shoot_the_Messenger.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Dont_Shoot_the_Messenger.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Dont_Shoot_the_Messenger.jpg?zoom=2&#38;resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Dont_Shoot_the_Messenger.jpg?zoom=3&#38;resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 450w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" data-attachment-id="657" data-permalink="https://behindtheshot.tv/dont-shoot-the-messenger/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Dont_Shoot_the_Messenger.jpg?fit=1024%2C561&#38;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1024,561" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&#34;aperture&#34;:&#34;7.1&#34;,&#34;credit&#34;:&#34;&#34;,&#34;camera&#34;:&#34;Canon EOS 6D&#34;,&#34;caption&#34;:&#34;Taken in the amazingly white staircase room at the Art Institute of Chicago. This is one of the places that will be in The Photographer&#039;s Guide to Chicago: 100 of the Best Locations and How to Photograph Them. I&#039;ve set up a site for the book at www.ChicagoPhotoGuide.com.&#34;,&#34;created_timestamp&#34;:&#34;1374146799&#34;,&#34;copyright&#34;:&#34;&#34;,&#34;focal_length&#34;:&#34;15&#34;,&#34;iso&#34;:&#34;3200&#34;,&#34;shutter_speed&#34;:&#34;0.0166666666667&#34;,&#34;title&#34;:&#34;Don&#039;t Shoot the Messenger&#34;,&#34;orientation&#34;:&#34;0&#34;}" data-image-title="Don&#38;#8217;t Shoot the Messenger" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&#60;p&#62;Taken in the amazingly white staircase room at the Art Institute of Chicago. This is one of the places that will be in The Photographer&#38;#8217;s Guide to Chicago: 100 of the Best Locations and How to Photograph Them. I&#38;#8217;ve set up a site for the book at www.ChicagoPhotoGuide.com.&#60;/p&#62; " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Dont_Shoot_the_Messenger.jpg?fit=1024%2C561&#38;ssl=1" /> <img width="150" height="150" src="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Outside_the_Tiny_Chapel.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Outside_the_Tiny_Chapel.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Outside_the_Tiny_Chapel.jpg?zoom=2&#38;resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Outside_the_Tiny_Chapel.jpg?zoom=3&#38;resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 450w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" data-attachment-id="659" data-permalink="https://behindtheshot.tv/outside-the-tiny-chapel/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Outside_the_Tiny_Chapel.jpg?fit=1024%2C681&#38;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1024,681" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&#34;aperture&#34;:&#34;16&#34;,&#34;credit&#34;:&#34;Chris Smith&#34;,&#34;camera&#34;:&#34;Canon EOS 5D Mark II&#34;,&#34;caption&#34;:&#34;&#60;p&#62;This is the view from the outside of the tiny chapel in the old Theological Seminary Building at the University of Chicago. \u00a0If you plan to shoot at the University of Chicago, read my &#60;a href=\&#34;http://cjsmithphotography.com/2012/02/23/university-of-chicagos-theological-seminary/\&#34;&#62;tour of the Theoligical Seminary&#60;/a&#62;. For this image, I used the Canon 17mm tilt shift lens to try to keep the verticals straight by using the shift function rather than tilting the lens up. To me, it looks as though the two pillars in the center are splayed out as they move to the top of the image. \u00a0But according to the grid lines in Lightroom they perfectly vertical. I think this must be some kind of illusion because our eyes expect the pillars to converge when we look up at them.&#60;/p&#62;\r&#60;p&#62;&#60;strong&#62;Canon 17mm TS-E f/4 L Review&#60;/strong&#62;&#60;/p&#62;\r&#60;p&#62;I&#039;ve posted a short review of the tilt shift lens that I borrowed a week or so ago. \u00a0You can read it, &#60;a href=\&#34;http://cjsmithphotography.com/17mm/\&#34;&#62;here&#60;/a&#62;. \u00a0&#60;/p&#62;\r&#60;p&#62;&#60;strong&#62;Out of Chicago Photo Walk #3&#60;/strong&#62;&#60;/p&#62;\r&#60;p&#62;Don&#039;t forget that &#60;a href=\&#34;http://cjsmithphotography.com/2012/04/20/out-of-chicago-photo-walk-3-museum-campus-and-supermoon/\&#34;&#62;our next photo walk is May 5th at Chicago&#039;s Museum Campus&#60;/a&#62;.&#60;/p&#62;&#34;,&#34;created_timestamp&#34;:&#34;1334415117&#34;,&#34;copyright&#34;:&#34;Chris Smith&#34;,&#34;focal_length&#34;:&#34;17&#34;,&#34;iso&#34;:&#34;100&#34;,&#34;shutter_speed&#34;:&#34;1&#34;,&#34;title&#34;:&#34;Outside the Tiny Chapel&#34;,&#34;orientation&#34;:&#34;0&#34;}" data-image-title="Outside the Tiny Chapel" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&#60;p&#62;This is the view from the outside of the tiny chapel in the old Theological Seminary Building at the University of Chicago.  If you plan to shoot at the University of Chicago, read my &#60;a href=&#34;http://cjsmithphotography.com/2012/02/23/university-of-chicagos-theological-seminary/&#34;&#62;tour of the Theoligical Seminary&#60;/a&#62;. For this image, I used the Canon 17mm tilt shift lens to try to keep the verticals straight by using the shift function rather than tilting the lens up. To me, it looks as though the two pillars in the center are splayed out as they move to the top of the image.  But according to the grid lines in Lightroom they perfectly vertical. I think this must be some kind of illusion because our eyes expect the pillars to converge when we look up at them.&#60;/p&#62; &#60;p&#62;&#60;strong&#62;Canon 17mm TS-E f/4 L Review&#60;/strong&#62;&#60;/p&#62; &#60;p&#62;I&#38;#8217;ve posted a short review of the tilt shift lens that I borrowed a week or so ago.  You can read it, &#60;a href=&#34;http://cjsmithphotography.com/17mm/&#34;&#62;here&#60;/a&#62;.  &#60;/p&#62; &#60;p&#62;&#60;strong&#62;Out of Chicago Photo Walk #3&#60;/strong&#62;&#60;/p&#62; &#60;p&#62;Don&#38;#8217;t forget that &#60;a href=&#34;http://cjsmithphotography.com/2012/04/20/out-of-chicago-photo-walk-3-museum-campus-and-supermoon/&#34;&#62;our next photo walk is May 5th at Chicago&#38;#8217;s Museum Campus&#60;/a&#62;.&#60;/p&#62; " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Outside_the_Tiny_Chapel.jpg?fit=1024%2C681&#38;ssl=1" /> <img width="150" height="150" src="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_The_Light.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_The_Light.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_The_Light.jpg?zoom=2&#38;resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_The_Light.jpg?zoom=3&#38;resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 450w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" data-attachment-id="661" data-permalink="https://behindtheshot.tv/the-light/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_The_Light.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&#38;ssl=1" data-orig-size="768,1024" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&#34;aperture&#34;:&#34;2.5&#34;,&#34;credit&#34;:&#34;Chris Smith&#34;,&#34;camera&#34;:&#34;E-M10&#34;,&#34;caption&#34;:&#34;I had no idea when I followed my son into this maze that I would end up crawling through this tunnel to try to catch him. I ended up with sore knees but a pretty cool photo!&#34;,&#34;created_timestamp&#34;:&#34;1410697233&#34;,&#34;copyright&#34;:&#34;&#34;,&#34;focal_length&#34;:&#34;17&#34;,&#34;iso&#34;:&#34;250&#34;,&#34;shutter_speed&#34;:&#34;0.00625&#34;,&#34;title&#34;:&#34;The Light&#34;,&#34;orientation&#34;:&#34;0&#34;}" data-image-title="The Light" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&#60;p&#62;I had no idea when I followed my son into this maze that I would end up crawling through this tunnel to try to catch him. I ended up with sore knees but a pretty cool photo!&#60;/p&#62; " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_The_Light.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&#38;ssl=1" /> <img width="150" height="150" src="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Weve_Been_Expecting_You.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Weve_Been_Expecting_You.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Weve_Been_Expecting_You.jpg?zoom=2&#38;resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Weve_Been_Expecting_You.jpg?zoom=3&#38;resize=150%2C150&#38;ssl=1 450w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" data-attachment-id="662" data-permalink="https://behindtheshot.tv/weve-been-expecting-you/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Weve_Been_Expecting_You.jpg?fit=727%2C1024&#38;ssl=1" data-orig-size="727,1024" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&#34;aperture&#34;:&#34;10&#34;,&#34;credit&#34;:&#34;&#34;,&#34;camera&#34;:&#34;Canon EOS 6D&#34;,&#34;caption&#34;:&#34;From the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.Read about 99 of my other favorite places to potograph in Chicago. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F08993Q&#34;,&#34;created_timestamp&#34;:&#34;1373544556&#34;,&#34;copyright&#34;:&#34;&#34;,&#34;focal_length&#34;:&#34;15&#34;,&#34;iso&#34;:&#34;1600&#34;,&#34;shutter_speed&#34;:&#34;0.0333333333333&#34;,&#34;title&#34;:&#34;We&#039;ve Been Expecting You&#34;,&#34;orientation&#34;:&#34;0&#34;}" data-image-title="We&#38;#8217;ve Been Expecting You" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&#60;p&#62;From the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.Read about 99 of my other favorite places to potograph in Chicago. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F08993Q&#60;/p&#62; " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/behindtheshot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BtS_Chris_Smith_Weve_Been_Expecting_You.jpg?fit=727%2C1024&#38;ssl=1" />

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How to Make Stunning B&W Photos

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This episode is 40 minutes long.

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This episode was published on March 28, 2018.

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Editors Note: This episode was originally distributed through TWiP – This Week in Photo, and the YouTube Video above is through the TWiP YouTube Page. Please be sure to subscribe to their YouTube page, and visit their site to check out all of the...

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