Aims
This model seeks to create black and white photos, with an emphasis on formal photography (think Magnum or Vogue covers). The use of lighting (high contrast) and composition, particularly in portrait and fashion photography, emphasizes a refined, timeless quality. All photos in the training set are from professionals from the 20th century, with an emphasis on French photographers and the new wave style. The techniques most represented (but not tagged) in the sample are:
vignetting. Edges of the photos are darker or out of focus, to emphasize the main subject.
burning and dodging. These effects are applied during the printing process. For portraits, they create a soft glowing light behind the main subject (it is not the same as rim light photography).
Sample prompts
DSLR monochrome studio photo of (Zane, facial hair, 21 yo man). He wears a black fedora hat and a red shawl. He holds a cigarette in one hand. He blows smoke at the viewer. The smoke hides parts of his face in the shadows. Dim background lighting from a cabaret. He has an enigmatic expression. The scene takes place in a cabaret for a film noir movie. In the style of Jeanloup Sieff. backinblack.
Close-up face photo of (21 yo man, Colin, in a striped shirt). He looks out through a window. Rays of pale light from the window shine on his face. Melancholic air. Rain drops slowly slide down the window. Monochrome studio shot. rule of thirds, classic composition, elegant, timeless, intensely sensual, strong contrast, shadows. In the style of Jeanloup Sieff. backinblack.
Close-up face photo of (21 yo man, Archie, in a black smoking). Monochrome studio shot. A pale moon illuminates his face with a dim light. Bright cherry blossom petals float in the air. Blurry background from the sakura festival in Tokyo. He looks at the viewer with an enigmatic air. High fashion photoshoot, high contrast, elegant, timeless, intensely sensual. In the style of Jeanloup Sieff. backinblack.
DLSR raw face photo of (Chase, 21 yo male, facial hair). In a monochrome studio shot, water sensually runs down his muscular chest. There is a colorful monarch butterfly on his left shoulder, a morpho butterfly on his head, and a malachite butterfly on his hand. His mouth is slightly open and his lips are parted. The background is deep black, and a narrow rim light outlines his shoulders, neck, and jaw. The lighting elegantly sculpts his chest and lips, while leaving parts of him hidden in soft shadow. Fashion editorial, timeless, intensely sensual. In the style of Jeanloup Sieff. backinblack.
How to use
Use backinblack as the trigger word. You can state that your image is monochrome but specific objects have colors. For example, your subject wears a burgundy hat or a teal scarf. The model does not 'turn' colors to black and white, rather, it you state that there is a color then it will be conveyed.
for landscapes, you only need the keyword backinblack and the description of your landscape. It has a high probability (>=50%) of giving you the distinctive black and white feel of the Lora.
for portraits, you may need to double down on the black and white effect by using the list (backinblack, grayscale, monochrome).
Related artists
Jeanloup Sieff (portraiture, fashion, some landscapes)
Henri Cartier-Bresson (photojournalism)
Richard Avedon
Raymond Depardon (landscape photography)
Robert Doisneau (street photography)