B&W vs COLOUR

Before the time of colour photography, black and white was all you got.  Everything in photographs was seen through a monochrome (Consisting of or displaying images in black and white or in varying tones of only one color.) eye.

Nowadays photographers have the option to shoot in colour or in monochrome, whether it be good old black and white or versions of monochrome (like having a green tint or blue tint, etc etc).  Photographers can shoot in monochrome right in their camera or change the photograph in post processing later on into black and white.  (aka taking your colour photograph and clicking the turn this into black and white button on editing software)

Most photographers generate their own personal style as they go along.  As they gain experience they learn what they like to shoot, how they like to shoot, and whether or not they like to shoot in monochrome, colour or both.

Sometimes colour can be distracting.  Like a photograph with something red in the focus area.  Red is a very dominant hue and if the red is not where you want the real focus of the picture to be, then you have an issue.  Where as if you turn that same photo with the distracting red into black and white, the focus is no longer on the red.  It's now on the subject matter and contrast, more of the mood will shine through.  If you do want red to be a main focus in your picture then keep it in colour by all means, but if it's distracting, you can change it over.

When dealing with contrast in a photograph black and white can give one the best effect.  I'd say this is because the viewer is not so distracted by the colours, they're now looking at the subject and lighting in more depth.  I think the contrast plays a larger role when no colour is apparent.

Black and white photography can sometimes come across more dramatic because again without the colour to distract you the viewer is simply looking at the subject and what the photograph is saying to you.

There are no rules that say you cannot use colour in certain situations or vice versa with black and white.  It's just what looks more pleasing to the eye in the end.  Every photographer has a different opinion on things, as do the viewers.

Here's a list of links (1-10) of monochrome photographs I like:

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Here's a list of links (1-10) of colour photographs I like:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10