I've always loved a good black and white print, especially when it hangs on the wall with accompanying black and white tones throughout the living room or kitchen or even some more neutral earthy tones that really help complement the sophisticated modern home.
So what makes a good black and white photograph? Instead of using colour contrast like colour photos, often black and white photographs need to have particular attention to tones and levels within the image. Understanding the white, the shadows and the darks along with the mid-tones within the image. We look for the subject to either be the brightest part or darkest part of the image, depending on if it's a high key image or not.
Have you ever converted a colour image to black and white and thought, nope, not today it just doesn't look right. This rings true when the colour contrast of the image is what helps mash the subject to the forefront. We can use colour to draw our eyes to the subject or we can use black and white tones to do so. This is why, when I photograph black and white images, I'm often ensuring my camera is set to black and white, it helps my mind frame the image to ensure the end result is what I've envisioned. Not all photographs look good black and white.
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Not your typical nighttime landscape photograph, however, the perfect amount of subtle lightning illuminating the sky and foreground brings a stunning look to a popular Gold Coast location. We have printed the image at 2x1m on acrylic glass and it looks incredible.
Don't forget, a black and white photograph can often work well in any home, it brings a classic look that is often timeless no matter what style you're looking at decorating. Great for modern homes and homes with a black and white colour palette.
I hope you have enjoyed this little run down of my black and white photography.
