Black and white photographs can often be more powerful than color.
With the rise of color photography many new photographers neglect the medium of black and white. However, black and white photographs can bring a whole new perspective to an image. Many people even consider black and white to be more powerful and emotive than color, which makes it an important tool in your photographic arsenal.
Portraits
Black and white photography can work well for portraits. The absence of color can be flattering to a model; skin tones are mellowed and softened, removing blotches, blemishes and uneven shading. The result can be a more elegant and dignified portrait than would be achievable using color.
High Contrast
The use of contrast can work very well in black and white photography. The blacks are usually darker and the lights are lighter, resulting in a more drastic contrast and adding a dramatic feel to the image. This strength of black and white photography can be applied to portraiture and fashion photography. Try placing a model in a white dress against a dark background for a stunning effect.
Lines and Shapes
Black and white photography allows you to see lines, shapes and patterns more clearly. This means that you can make a photo appear more abstract by focusing on lines and shapes within the frame. Try shooting telephone lines or overhead cables. This will also make use of the contrast between the lines and the bright sky.
Landscape
One subject that many people do not even think to photograph in black and white is landscapes. However, if the day is dull and overcast, instead of using color and capturing the dullness, you could use black and white to capture the scene in its true glory. Cityscapes can also provide a strong platform for black and white, as the buildings are often lacking color already.
Emotional Scenes
The powerful and emotive nature of black and white photographs makes them the perfect medium to capture emotional scenes. For example, a black and white photograph of someone visiting a memorial will often carry more emotion than the same photograph in color.
