How to Create Great B&W-Noir Photos W/ Snapseed on iPhone

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Create great B&W-Noir photos w/ Snapseed on iPhone

How to Create Great B&W-Noir Photos W/ Snapseed on iPhone

UPDATED with new Snapseed features. Step by step guide to creating stunning black/white images & the 'Ianographic Noir' effect. For how to use Snapseed, please refer to the in-app help/guide.

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Step 1 of 28

This guide is for everyone who loves black & white photography and all who loved the look of my noir Instagrams. Here's how to create the look.

Step 2 of 28
If you follow this guide till the end, you will be able to apply my signature 'Ianographic Noir' effect to your photos, which is made of HDR, B&W, Focused Vignetting and focus blur.

If you follow this guide till the end, you will be able to apply my signature 'Ianographic Noir' effect to your photos, which is made of HDR, B&W, Focused Vignetting and focus blur.

Step 3 of 28
Launch Snapseed on your device...

Launch Snapseed on your device...

Step 4 of 28
Load the photo of your choice. I'll use this one.

Load the photo of your choice. I'll use this one.

Step 5 of 28
You can crop, align and straighten your photo if it needs to be. Use 'Crop' and 'Straighten' for all this.

You can crop, align and straighten your photo if it needs to be. Use 'Crop' and 'Straighten' for all this.

Step 6 of 28
Prepare your photo, helps create great shades. I like using the 'Automatic' filter. You can fix color correction  & contrast, and tap the right arrow to apply. Let's move on to another filter.

Prepare your photo, helps create great shades. I like using the 'Automatic' filter. You can fix color correction & contrast, and tap the right arrow to apply. Let's move on to another filter.

Step 7 of 28
Use the 'Drama' filter to add an HDR effect, it helps bringing out detail & well, more drama. Use the Style menu within it by tapping the Star to choose a desired style. I'll choose 'Bright 1'.

Use the 'Drama' filter to add an HDR effect, it helps bringing out detail & well, more drama. Use the Style menu within it by tapping the Star to choose a desired style. I'll choose 'Bright 1'.

Step 8 of 28

Note: within the 'Drama' filter are several sub filters accessed through the Star. Drama 1 is ideal if you don't want an obvious HDR effect. Then tap the right arrow as usual to apply.

Step 9 of 28
After applying an HDR filter, we'll now apply the 'Black & White' filter. For this one I used the new 'Dark' sub filter.

After applying an HDR filter, we'll now apply the 'Black & White' filter. For this one I used the new 'Dark' sub filter.

Step 10 of 28

Note: Whatever sub filter you use here, make sure Grain is reduced to 0%, unless it's your preference.

Step 11 of 28
You can change Contrast & Brightness for better shades. Don't go too hard on here as you may still do that later on the 'Tune Image' of 'Selective Adjust' menus.

You can change Contrast & Brightness for better shades. Don't go too hard on here as you may still do that later on the 'Tune Image' of 'Selective Adjust' menus.

Step 12 of 28

Tap the arrow to move on. NOTE: make sure you're satisfied with the look you created so far, because if you undo changes after applying your effects, your photo will be reverted back to the original.

Step 13 of 28
Now apply the 'Center Focus' filter. For this effect, I'll use the 'Old Lens' sub filter, ideal for Noir photos.

Now apply the 'Center Focus' filter. For this effect, I'll use the 'Old Lens' sub filter, ideal for Noir photos.

Step 14 of 28
Tip: Make sure you reduce 'Blur Strength to 0%' - you can still use the Tiltshift menu for that later to avoid unexpected results.

Tip: Make sure you reduce 'Blur Strength to 0%' - you can still use the Tiltshift menu for that later to avoid unexpected results.

Step 15 of 28
The magic happens here. Highlight 'Outer Brightness' and swipe left to reduce it.

The magic happens here. Highlight 'Outer Brightness' and swipe left to reduce it.

Step 16 of 28
Also I'll suggest reducing it -100 when working with bright images like mine for more effect.

Also I'll suggest reducing it -100 when working with bright images like mine for more effect.

Step 17 of 28
Use your fingers to pinch/spread to adjust the brightness/vignette intensity to your preference.

Use your fingers to pinch/spread to adjust the brightness/vignette intensity to your preference.

Step 18 of 28
You can as well adjust the Inner Brightness to create a classic noir look. Often increase or decrease the percentage to your liking.

You can as well adjust the Inner Brightness to create a classic noir look. Often increase or decrease the percentage to your liking.

Step 19 of 28
I'll fix mine a bit.  Tip: this is the best place to focus your lighting. Tap and move the blue dot anywhere on the photo you want the lighting focused.

I'll fix mine a bit. Tip: this is the best place to focus your lighting. Tap and move the blue dot anywhere on the photo you want the lighting focused.

Step 20 of 28

Next, Tilt-shift. You can skip this if you don't want the effect on your photo. But I normally use it on my signature effect.

Step 21 of 28
Now add 'Tilt-Shift'. It adds some perspective. Tap the star to choose the type of tilt-shift you want. Use your fingers to shape the Elliptical blur perfectly.

Now add 'Tilt-Shift'. It adds some perspective. Tap the star to choose the type of tilt-shift you want. Use your fingers to shape the Elliptical blur perfectly.

Step 22 of 28
Control blur strength, with the help of Transition to create a more realistic or just cool blur effect.  Then apply.

Control blur strength, with the help of Transition to create a more realistic or just cool blur effect. Then apply.

Step 23 of 28
And here we are!. For now, you can save your image in you phone & share. Hungry for more? Here's dessert!.....continue for some extras!

And here we are!. For now, you can save your image in you phone & share. Hungry for more? Here's dessert!.....continue for some extras!

Step 24 of 28

Extras: You can furthermore edit your photo, but don't overdo it though.

Step 25 of 28

TIP: You can also crop your image into the size you want after editing it. Though I suggest cropping BEFORE as guided. This is effective for full vignetting for noir photos.

Step 26 of 28
Create a full blown Noir effect using the 'Selective Adjust' filter and add adjustments by tapping the + then tapping areas you want darkened or lightened by reducing/increasing brightness.

Create a full blown Noir effect using the 'Selective Adjust' filter and add adjustments by tapping the + then tapping areas you want darkened or lightened by reducing/increasing brightness.

Step 27 of 28
Congratulations! Now you know!. You can share with me what you have made, new tips you've learned or made something unique out of this. Ill be happy!!. Post it at ianography.tumblr.com/submit.

Congratulations! Now you know!. You can share with me what you have made, new tips you've learned or made something unique out of this. Ill be happy!!. Post it at ianography.tumblr.com/submit.

Step 28 of 28

So far, you now can create amazing & powerful Noir photos on your iDevice. Remember some great photos get ruined if you overdo :) I'm @ianography on Instagram. Happy Snapseeding!

You're Done

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17 Comments
Supplies

1 Photo of your choice

Apple iPhone, Apple iPod Touch, or Apple iPad

Snapseed ($4.99)

Henley Ian

Thank you Africanqueen, Claire & River! I will update the guide to fit the current version which includes the new 'Retrolux' filter.

(author) 4 months ago

River Haven

Thanks for the tips. Good job.

River Haven 4 months ago

Claire Alice

I like Snapseed and I enjoyed with your great guide, thank you :-)

Claire Alice 4 months ago

Africanqueen SA

Thank you for the awesome step by step easy to follow guide.

Africanqueen SA 4 months ago

Henley Ian

Thank you Gabriella, I'm glad it helped you. Will update it soon explaining the new Snapseed features and maybe share new effects :)

(author) 5 months ago

Gabriella Rollino

Thank you very much this guide was super helpful and your pics are amazing!!!

Gabriella Rollino 5 months ago

Henley Ian

Thanks Nadine! :)

(author) 7 months ago

Nadine Birge

Amazing

Nadine Birge 8 months ago

Henley Ian

Hello everybody! I just updated the guide!. I've redone it to incorporate the features of the new Snapseed version. Enjoy! :)

(author) 11 months ago

Tony Poole

Great I look forward to the new tips

Tony Poole last year

Henley Ian

Thanks Tony, nice to hear that. By the way, will update the guide in the near future to fit the new Snapseed update, and also some new tips :)

(author) last year

Tony Poole

Thanks, it's given me some inspiration for some shots I've got that are a bit dull

Tony Poole last year

Henley Ian

Thanks Ohsuzi, Snapseed is an app you could use everyday for all your photo editing needs, I totally recommend it :)

(author) last year

Ohsuzi Qian

i've been thinking of downloading snapseed, thanks for this guide! it was useful to see the app in action!

Ohsuzi Qian last year

Henley Ian

Thank you! :)

(author) last year

John Palacios

Nicely done. Thanks for the tips :)

John Palacios last year

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