Black & White Photography is my Favorite
There’s something about black and white images that makes them seem more powerful, interesting, and, ironically, more expressive than their color counterparts. One might have assumed, back when color photos were first developed, that black and white images would inevitably fade into obsolescence. After all, color brought a new dimension to photography.
But, decade after decade, black and white photography has not disappeared. In fact, this monochromatic art has been cultivated alongside color photos. If you are interested in Black and White Photography in the Marysville or Sacramento area, I would be happy to work with you. Let’s explore some reasons we should consider black and white photography for your photo shoot.
Black and White Photography Removes Distractions
When you remove that layer of color, you also remove a layer of distraction. When you look at a color image, your eyes are immediately drawn to the bright hues, the contrasts between colors and the subtle flow from one shade into the next. Without these elements to examine, you are free to look deeper at other elements of the photograph – the facial expressions, the body language, the textures, and the play between light and shadow.
Black and White Photos are More Interesting
This might seem counterintuitive, but, strangely enough, people tend to put more emphasis on the perception of color in a black and white photo than in a color photo.
The lack of color prompts the viewer to imagine all of the colors in the image they are looking at. What particular shade of green were the leaves on this tree? Was the person in the image wearing a red shirt or a purple one? Contemplating what the colors might have been adds a level of interest that simply isn’t present in a color photograph.
We also tend to be more appreciative of the range of tones, from the darkest blacks to the brightest whites, in black and white photography. When we look at a color image, the contrasts between the dark, medium and light tones are not readily available for examination. Monochrome images, however, invite you to search for the infinite shades of gray that lay between black and white. And what is life but a steadfast navigation of the infinite gray areas we are consistently presented?
Black and White Photography Provides Photographers Endless Versatility
Some might look at a color photo taken in low light and call it underexposed while the same image in black and white would be considered dramatic, moody or mysterious.
Black and white photography gives me, your photographer, more creative freedom to elicit the exact emotion you are trying to capture. To fully integrate into your home’s decor, I can take images that are almost entirely black, mostly white or something in between. I can create strong contrasts between light and shadow, or use contrast with subtlety.
Black and white is not a style that is limited to a few certain subjects, and it lends itself well to bright lighting, low lighting and everything in between.
The choice between monochrome and color is a personal one, and in a large part, it’s about what you’re trying to accomplish with your images.
