Last weekend, the theme in our Facebook group was “Monochrome.” I asked our members to comment about their feelings on Black and White photography. Here are a few of their responses:
I love the timelessness of B&W. It strips away any pretense and you’re left with the raw subject, in all its glory. I am a lover of colour but I am in awe of B&W imagery, when it is well done. — Lori Maloney
I love B&W. They are all about the light and composition. I find that you can convey so much stronger emotion with B&W. Color can distract easily. Though I do find that my clients and fans tend to like color images more. — Jamie Head
I prefer working in B&W as I find it gives me more options in post, especially if you push the lighting further by changing contrast or adjusting what colours go to light and dark shadows. — Gary Antcliffe
I have a fast growing love for B&W. You cannot hide anything in B&W. There is just your subject and the light. — David Caldwell
I feel that B&W/monochrome is best for showing the more dramatic works of portraiture to allow the viewer to focus on the art without getting distracted by colors. — Marlene Lebel
Personally I find B&W great to remove the distracting stimuli from the image; it leaves just your focus and intention in the result. Get it right and it sings. — George Turner
When I want to create something dramatic, I always think how it will look in B&W. I love B&W and especially grainy. — Michael Healey
I would be happy shooting in B&W forever. I love it. Monochrome just seems to have a mysterious mood to it that speaks to me. — Martin Howard
Color surrounds us each and every day, it races by us on the freeway and highways, it’s plastered on billboards, it’s on every uniform of our favorite teams. Then nothing stops me in my tracks, like seeing an Ansel Adams B&W or the “Kiss” in Times Square. The stark shadows of a Film Noir-style portrait or “Old Hollywood” Glamour. B&W packs a punch, in the world of color of our daily lives. B&W photography has impact, of a era gone by, that stands the test of time. — James Shortridge
It is interesting to ask ourselves whether color is essential to the success of the image. Sometimes it is not, and a conversion to B&W will present a more powerful story. Other times, color is part of the story. I always shoot in color to have both options available in processing. — Jeff Kauffman
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