06 Jul Why Choose Black and White Photography?
It is a conscious choice by the photographer to choose the preference of monochrome photography over colour, especially when everyone has easy access to colour digital cameras. The aesthetic that black and white images can convey using a deeper layer of aesthetics in texture, shapes, tone, light, and shade leaves more scope to explore the composition and deeper meaning of the said B/W picture. The allure of an effective black-and-white photograph does not need analysis as it either works for the viewer, or it does not. In my view as a fine art photographer, the timeless feeling that I hope for and certainly is what I benefit from is the degree to which they can bring us back to the essence of ourselves from those few brief moments of viewing, which is the measure of the success of the artwork personally photographically speaking. The suggestible subconscious lets its guard down, and we awaken to a better version of ourselves. That would be the hope, anyway.
When taken literally, Photography means drawing with light, so the colour emphasis is unimportant on many levels. In the purer sense of the word, black and white photography can open up an opportunity for artists to delve deeper into what they are trying to say without the distraction of any colour, which I prefer to do in my case. The more basic the images presented on this level, the better my chance of being portrayed in a realistic and emotionally deep level of connection. Although, like anything in life, individuals make their own choices, and the impact and legacy of a photographer or artist’s works are largely unmeasurable.
Lots of love to my fellow artists on the journey to influence positive change in the public at large.