The Art of Black and White Photography

Many of the most powerful, memorable and effective photographs are black and white images. Color merely distracts us from giving the pattern our attention. By using black and white, images of patterns are far more compelling.

Fortunately, the age of digital photography allows photographers to decide after whether the photo will make us happy, being in full color or in black and white.

When it comes to black and white photography, then opinions vary significantly. Some photographers love them and make exceptionally black and white photographs. While other photographers avoid this genre and shoot exclusively in color. And, finally, there are most of those that are between love and hate for black and white photography.

Monochrome

Monochrome means different shades of the same color that are used in the image. Often this term means black and white (which is technically monochrome), but in reality any color can be used. Photographs tinted with sepia are a good example of a monochrome image.

Shades of gray

The term Gray Shades is also used for black-and-white photographs. Which, in principle, is not incorrect, since the Grayscale color mode uses different shades of gray only (256, to be precise), and no other color. The Grayscale mode can be very soft, if you do not make corrections into the image, because it is inclined to leave the photo in medium gray tones. Notice how soft and uninteresting the image became after switching to Grayscale mode.