The Advantages of Black & White Photography

Setting a Mood

• When you want a tame, almost somber looking photograph, black and white photography is your ally. With the right subject matter, lighting and location, you can create a stark photo that portrays an attractive, yet slightly melancholy scene. It is harder to accomplish this feeling with color photography. When you look at certain colors, they brighten the mood whether you want them to or not. Black and white imaging makes it easier to capture the sobering effect of the image.

Focus

• Bright colors can sometimes leave the focus of the image obscured and lost in a sea of flamboyant shades. For example, when photographing a photo of a bride with her bridesmaids, the bright colors can sometimes overwhelm the image and make it seem more playful than elegant. A black and white photo tones down the image, allowing you to focus on the elegant shapes of the dresses, the beauty of the faces and the lighting in the background.

Classic Images

• While the photography industry continually works to enhance the colors you capture with photography, black and white images retain classic beauty you may find appealing. The photos continue to get more focused and sharp as image-capture technology advances, but the lack of color makes the images reminiscent of an older time. When you take a photo you want to look vintage, consider black and white instead of the vibrant colors available in photography today.

Flexibility

• Black and white photos are more forgiving in poor light. Poor lighting can change the appearance of a color. In black and white photography, it simply changes the contrast of the elements in the image without changing the desired outcome too much. This means you have a better chance of catching a good shot on an overcast day with black and white photography.