Why Do Photographers Use Black and White?
08 January 2024
As an art form, photography has undergone remarkable transformations
since its inception in 1826 when Nicéphore Niépce produced the
first-ever photo, a black-and-white image of his garden in France.
Since those early days of low-resolution renderings, photographers
have continuously experimented with techniques, styles, and formats.
Fast forward nearly two hundred years to the modern digital era of
smartphones and social media, the timeless appeal of black-and-white
photography remains a firm favourite for both seasoned professionals
and photography enthusiasts.
One of the primary reasons I often choose black and white is the ability of monochrome images to evoke emotion. Stripping away the distraction of colour allows viewers to focus on the subject’s essence, revealing its emotional depth and subtle nuances. Black and white resonates on a visceral level, transcending the limitations and distractions of colour. This is why I often convert the images to black and white that I take straight after wedding ceremonies when the couple are being congratulated. They are always images of heightened emotions, and converting them to black and white enhances the mood and feel.
Timeless Quality
I remember when some photographers produced black-and-white images
with selected bits of colour. I resisted that trend, but many of my
peers were doing it, and I was almost tempted. Then came the ‘film
look’ trend, which was simply editing presets that adjusted colours
and made digital images look like they were shot on old film cameras.
They were all good and fun, but the timeless quality of black and
white photographs has a certain nostalgia and a feeling of
sophistication that is lost when viewing the same image in colour.
They possess an enduring aesthetic quality that transcends time,
maintaining a classic elegance regardless of rapidly changing
trends.
In the absence of colour, black-and-white photography emphasises
composition and form. I rely on the interaction of light and shadow,
contrast, and texture. Placing light sources at angles that emphasise
shadows motivates me to take a more intentional approach to
composition and can result in dramatic images. It also challenges me
to pay particular attention to the arrangement of elements within the
frame. The result is often a refined and visually striking image where
every detail contributes to the narrative.
The absence of colour can simplify the image, allowing viewers to focus on the essential elements without being overwhelmed by many conflicting hues. Black and white photography can strip a scene to its core, highlighting the subject’s form and telling a story. It also lends itself well to abstraction, encouraging me to explore the interplay of light and shadow in a way that transcends the literal representation of the subject.
Universal Appeal
Black and white photography has a universal appeal that transcends
cultural barriers. By eliminating the specificity of colour,
monochrome images become more accessible to diverse audiences. This
universality enhances the communicative power, enabling us to convey
messages and evoke emotions that resonate with people from all walks
of life. Every human can identify with an image that conveys profound
love, sadness, or joy, regardless of culture or background.
Beyond the artistic qualities, practical and technical considerations
also contribute to the preference for black-and-white photography. In
some situations, lighting conditions may be challenging, and colour
reproduction may be almost impossible. I once shot an elopement
wedding ceremony for a couple of adventurers inside a cave on a game
farm in South Africa. It was a beautiful and unusual location, with a
mixture of lamps and candles lighting one side of the cave and
streaming natural light lighting the other. It all presented me with a
host of decisions to make. I converted many of the images to black and
white, which allowed me to work around those limitations. I relied on
tonal variations and genuine moments to create visually compelling
images in a less-than-ideal environment.
So, regardless of whether you’re driven by the desire to evoke
emotion, embrace timeless aesthetics, emphasise composition, simplify
narratives, or address technical challenges, you can find inspiration
and expression in the simplicity and elegance of black-and-white
photography. As technology advances and trends come and go, the
classic appeal of monochrome images will continue to resonate, proving
that in the vast landscape of vibrant colours, there will always be a
place for the opposite – the quiet and thought-provoking elegance of
black and white photography.