Picture Control
Pretty much every camera today will let you change how it initially processes the image. Some manufacturers call it something like “Picture Style,” but on my Nikons’ it’s “ Picture Control.” Since one of the hallmarks of a black-and-white “look” is contrast, I go to the “Monochrome” Picture Control and bump that up a couple of notches. That way I get more “pop” with the contrast in those photos. And, since I’m shooting RAW (NEF for Nikon), I can always change that contrast choice later, in software. I’ve used that setting for a while now, but this next one is a fairly new change for me, and it’s made a big difference!