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TECHNIQUES & GEAR

25 Examples of Black and White Photography That You’ll Fall in Love With

Judit Ruiz Ricart

25 Examples of Black and White Photography That You’ll Fall in Love With

The first color photograph dates back to 1861, but it wasn’t until the 1970s when it became the primary form of photography. Many assumed that once color photography was available to everyone, black and white photography would be relegated to niche genres or even forgotten all together. But much like film, monochromatic images are more alive than ever before. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to find a photography website that doesn’t include at least one black and white picture.


We could write a whole article with the reasons why black and white photography survived the passage of time and we’d still forget some. The most important, and evident, of them is the fact that we don’t see the world in black and white. Because of this, shooting monochromatic photos offers a whole different perspective of our surroundings.


Numerous photographers believe everyone should shoot black and white photos every so often. They concur that the lack of color pushes us to pay more attention to light, contrast, texture, and composition. And as such, it can help us improve our photography skills significantly. Still not convinced to give monochromatic images a try? These 25 outstanding black and white photography examples will surely make you fall in love with this technique.



Walking among giants


The incredible way in which Lin Na captured a sole figure standing in the mist among baobabs makes this one of the most beautiful landscape photos we’ve seen in a long time.



girl walking among baobabs in the mist


Don't forget to look up


Next time you are wandering around the streets of your city, raise your head towards the sky every so often. This shot by Ana is proof of the kind of views you’ve been missing out on all this time.



monastery building seen from below


The world’s best submarine


Wildlife photography never ceases to amaze us. This amazing picture by Heidi Crundwell shows just how much elephants like water, and how they keep their trunks dry to breathe while they swim.



elephant swimming across a river


Is this the real life?


No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Kary really did photograph someone levitating. This image is a perfect example of how black and white photography can be the perfect match for your creative photography ideas.



portrait of girl levitating in a forest


Modern stairway to heaven


Ismail Kassem put his unique imagination to work on urban photography to capture an image that will make you double check what you’re really looking at.



modern glass building seem from below


Counting sheep


One of the keys of storytelling in photography is becoming part of the scene you’re capturing. This beautiful black and white photography example by Biagina shows just how important this is.



shepherd standing among sheep in mountain field


Eyes are the window to the soul


Travel photography is not just amazing landscapes and food. As Joachim Bergauer’s portrait demonstrates, native habitants can also be an incredible subject.



portrait of small boy looking away from the camera


The limit does not exist


Next time someone casually mentions one of those popular photography myths that claims you cannot take good pictures with less than optimal weather, show them this shot by Martin Olson.



skiers climbing mountain covered by snow


Hear me roar


This wildlife portrait captured by Stew Nolan is the perfect example of how black and white photography can make anything look epic - even a sleepy yawn.



portait of lion roaring


One with nature


To shoot images as beautiful as Louise Whitehouse’s work, you’ll first need to master all essential photography composition rules.



person standing at the edge of cliff overseeing mountain reflections on lake


The subtle art of people watching


When you think about black and white street portraiture, you probably imagine a low-key close-up, right? Toshihiro Yashiro’s portfolio shows that the possibilities of this genre are limitless.



man crossing bridge over river in the city


Light in the shadows


Knowing how light works and affects your images is an absolute must. This image by Ivan Proskurin is the clear example of the impact that controlling light can have in portrait photography.



portrait of girl partially covered by shadows


Mysteries and marvels of nature


This shot of Antelope Canyon taken by Mattia Bianco perfectly demonstrates how you don’t need color to capture the essence of one of the most beautiful places in America.



black and white antelope canyon textures


Twenty-first century society


By getting rid of all color distractions and focusing on light and contrast, Jan Daga was able to shoot a casual portrait that perfectly captures what society has become.



young man illuminated by phone light on dark street


Simplicity is key


Understanding balance in photography will enable you to capture outstanding minimalist pictures, such as this black and white landscape photography example by Simone Cmoon.



minimalist tree on top of hill


Challenge your vision


Pet photography doesn’t just include dogs and cats. Underlook gives the genre a full 180-degree turn by capturing a broader range of animals from an unusual perspective.



dark horse seen from below


The bright side of commuting


Catching a train is usually a pain in the neck. Crowds, delays, bad weather, overall exhaustion... The next time you find yourself in one of these situations, use some of your waiting time and follow Céline Marie’s steps to take the opportunity to put your photography skills into practice.



symmetric train station


Love is all you need


Learning how to plan and execute a successful photoshoot will allow you to connect with your clients and capture images as beautiful and genuine as this moment forever frozen in time by Coco Gonser.



young couple looking at each other lovingly


Compassion goes a long way


Photography is an incredibly powerful tool to raise awareness about welfare, environmental, and social issues. This heartbreaking shot by Christel Mitchell is the epitome of how an image is worth a thousand words.



close-up gorilla hand grabbing cage bars


It comes and goes in waves


One of the less-known, but still amazing capabilities of black and white photography is how well they complement different media forms. Julien Delaval used this photo as his photography website’s home page, and it perfectly shows the endless possibilities of combining photography and web design.



long exposure of sea shore and rocks


The vitruvian athlete


This incredibly beautiful portrait of an athlete captured by Tobias Purgand conveys of how black and white photography adds an artistic value to any genre, even sport photography.



portrait of athlete in a wheel


Build bridges, not walls


Moody landscapes are one of the largest photography trends. The powerful look of Nelson Bolinhas’ perfectly timed shot might just convince you to give this editing technique a try.



moody landscape of bridge crossing the sea


Find your focus


The simplicity and masterful use of light of this beautiful nature photo taken by Nick Bartrum will leave you speechless.



white owl flying over field


You never know, dear, how much I love you


When searching for family portrait ideas, black and white photography might not even cross your mind. But a single look at this heartwarming image captured by Donatella Nicolini will most likely result in a change of heart for you.



portrait of newborn held on parents hands


Undisturbed calmness


Harald Wittig’s use of black and white in this urban scene, paired with the lack of people and movement, feels like a breath of fresh air in a time where everyone seems to be running from one place to another.



still water on empty city square


Ready to give black and white images a try? Create a photography website and share the results with the world!



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