Digital Photography...the Power Of Black And White Photography

It is said that everything comes around full circle, creating a cycle. This is most certainly the case with reemergence of blank and white photography onto the scene. Why is black and white photography becoming en vogue again in a world that so emphasizes color? Despite the incredible popularity of digital photography in general, and creation of color images in particular, there will always be room for black and white.

Over the past few years, we seem a movement back to the classics, yet combining the technology of today. More and more modern movies are being filmed in black and white. Magazines are incorporating black and white ads into their publications. It is even common for the high end art galleries to have featured exhibits all in black and white. This movement is due to the artistic and emotional qualities that are just not possible to capture using color photography.


The most notable quality of black and white photography is its ability for emotional power. What might be a simple shot can take on a new appeal for a viewer when seen a different way. That is why black and white photography has a tendency to make photos look more like works of art. It transforms a dingy or overcast look into a striking photo evoking emotion while producing a clean, crisp look. Try incorporating black and white into your portfolio to help expand your range of artistic style.

Black and white also brings focus to the emotional center of the image. What better way to capture emotion than the human face? Subtle changes of expression can dramatically change the feeling and depth of the photo. A slight tilt of the head or curve of the mouth can bring about a wide range of photos to choose from.

Black and white almost always invites the viewer to want to know about the story behind the picture. If it's a landscape, "What happened here?" is the question that often springs to the mind of the viewer and the longer they gaze at the photo, the more their imagination fills in the details. If you are viewing the face of a serene or melancholy girl, it is almost impossible not to wonder what she is dreaming about or what of life's issues is weighing on her mind.

Along with the emotional power and the way black and white compels the viewer to search for meaning, black and white carries with it a tremendous romantic power that touches the heart in a powerful way. That romance can easily translate over to the sensual or even the erotic without having to become pornographic to achieve that effect. Shots that are trying to evoke the power of sensuality and romance do well when they involve moisture or a water scene such as the beach. Despite the lack of color, these colors appeal to the five senses in ways that color can never hope to achieve.

Experiment with black and white and ask friends and family their opinions to learn how to master the subtle but powerful artistic effects that black and white can bring. The digital camera has brought about in a whole new generation of black and white photography. More and more, black and white photography is being sought as an option for all types of occasions.

If you have not started to experiment with black and white shots, it's worth the time to learn how to capture the powerful images this type of photography can make possible. Along with the creative use of light and framing, black and white gives itself well to editing that you can do with Photoshop to bring out the emotional center of each shot. Before long, you may actually find your self seeing black and white shots in a color world. Your awareness of what will make a great moment in this format will become acute and you will be ready to capture those moments spontaneously, which is always the best kind of photography.

By: Dan Feildman

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