Why Black and White Still Matters

Why would anyone intentionally remove one of the most beautiful parts of a photograph - its color? It seems almost backwards. Cameras have become incredibly good at reproducing rich, vibrant color, yet some of the most memorable portraits are still created in black and white. Why?

The truth is, there isn't a right or wrong answer.

In my studio, I rarely decide that for my clients. If someone envisions a colorful portrait hanging in their beach house, color may be exactly the right choice. If the portrait is destined for a dining room decorated in black, white, and neutral tones, a black and white portrait may fit the space beautifully. The destination of the artwork often helps shape the decision.

Black and white can also solve practical problems. Imagine a family where everyone arrives wearing completely different colors - one person in a bright red sweater, another in lime green, someone else in navy blue. Sometimes those competing colors distract from what the portrait is really about. Removing the color has a way of evening everything out and creating a cleaner, more unified image.

But that's only part of the story. What I enjoy most about black and white is the way it simplifies a portrait. Without color competing for your attention, you begin to notice different things: the quality of the light, the shape of a face, the texture of weathered hands, the lines in a smile, the relationship between two people standing next to each other. Your eye naturally focuses on the subject instead of the things surrounding them.

I discovered this all over again while photographing the streets of Arles, France. A typical street might have white stone buildings, a bright red doorway, a blue storefront, colorful awnings, and someone walking through the scene in a yellow raincoat. It's beautiful - but it's also visually busy. Convert that same scene to black and white, and something interesting happens. Suddenly, the colors no longer compete with one another. Instead, your eye begins to appreciate the light, the shadows, the leading lines, and the overall design of the image. The scene feels quieter and more intentional.

Of course, that doesn't mean every portrait should be black and white. Sometimes color is part of the story - a little girl's bright Easter dress, the warm colors of autumn leaves, or the soft blues of the ocean may be exactly what gives an image its personality. In those cases, removing the color would actually take something away.

In the end, whether I create a portrait in color or black and white, my goal is exactly the same. I want your eyes to go straight to the faces. Not the bright sweater. Not the colorful shoes. Not the background. The people.

Everything else - lighting, composition, and even the decision to use black and white or color - should support that one goal. Color is a choice. The people never are.

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Want to learn more?
How about The Forgotten Years of Childhood Photography

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