Black & White Photos

Why Black & White Photography Endures

Black and white photography has been with us since the very beginning. The first permanent photograph, taken in 1826, was monochrome by necessity. What's remarkable is that even now, over 190 years later, photographers continue to choose it deliberately. Stripping away colour forces the eye to read an image differently: through light, shadow, texture, and shape. The result is often a photograph that feels more considered, more lasting.

I love this quote by Ted Grant:
“When you photograph people in colour, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in black and white, you photograph their souls!”

Monochrome Is Not the Same as Black & White

The terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference worth knowing. Black and white photography uses only black, white, and shades of grey. Monochrome photography is broader — it refers to any image rendered in a single colour, including sepia, cyanotype, or deep blue tones. Both approaches share the same core principle: removing the distraction of colour to reveal the emotional core of a scene.

The Art of Seeing in Grey

Experienced photographers often describe learning to "see in black and white" as one of the most rewarding skills in the craft. It means looking past the colours of a scene and reading it instead by tonal contrast- the difference between light and dark, the weight of a shadow, the way texture catches available light. Landscapes, seascapes, and quiet human moments are particularly well-suited to this treatment, which is why South Africa's wide skies, rough coastlines, and open Karoo are such a natural fit for monochrome work.

B&W suits my style of photography, too. Particularly as I’m on the far side of the colour-blind spectrum. Dealing with skin tones can be particularly challenging for me. (I consult my daughter when necessary.) And I’m more into where shapes meet shadows.