Black and White Photography
In the absence of the brilliant hues that make every thing alive, can one still find the beauty of its subject and understand its own dramatic story that longed to be known by mankind? Welcome to black and white photography!
Black and white photography was first successfully used by a French developer Joseph Nicephore Niepce, but unfortunately failed when he attempted to make copies of it. In 1835, on his second attempt, he finally succeeded in producing the first B&W image of a window. Taking into account, the Black and white photography dominated the world of photography until the mid of 20th century.
Blog Category: Photography
Destination: Philippines & International
Photography: Jones Silva Creatives
Monochromatic
For many years now, photography has evolved drastically. From its style, technique, its theme down to its equipment.
Humans always see the world in color and dreamed of capturing the world’s brilliance, perfecting all the possible aspects that might give life to its subject, advancing it by developing new methods of photography in color, wanting to exhibit the greatness of colored photography. Thus, appreciating the latter a lot more which led to the underrated “wonders” of the Monochromatic photography.
As one of Cebu photographers aspiring to showcase the world’s picturesque stories, we have been searching for a masterpiece that will be known to Cebuanos and to all mankind, giving justice to all underrated perspectives in the world of photography. So here’s why Black and White photography is still alive in the present time and still embraced by many.
Candid Photography by Jones Silva Creatives
Black and White Photography by Jones Silva Creatives
It Conveys Deep Emotion
In contrast with polychromatic photography that concerns more about brightness, colors and exposure, Black and White is more unique and dramatic even it is just composed of two simple colors, the range between white and black and its tone variations leaving all unnecessary hues behind, enabling the viewer to focus to its texture, sharpness, shapes and pattern and to what actually matters most, the subject itself. Sophisticatedly removing all distractions that might get the looker distracted. Black and White images make the viewer pause for a while, look carefully into its finest details making it visible to convey emotion and allow the audience interpret its hidden story. With Black and White photography, you can interpret or easily assume that this portrait of an old woman shows how life has been tough for her. The lines that appeared on her skin were perfectly captured and seemed to be telling us how she survived to whatever struggles life had thrown her. The lines on her forehead were sophisticatedly patterned to emphasize her life experiences both good and bad. It conveys us her deepest emotions even without telling it. This is the emotion that colored photography won’t take into credit. How expressive it is!
Random Black and White Photography shots in India and Cebu, Philippines.
It Lets You Travel Back in Time
Black and White photography offers timeless quality of the subject. It shows its own story that never fades within the advent of time. It is much more expressive, bold and artistic in a way that visual art should be displayed. In the modern photography, people tend to assume that everything that been captured in a black and white imagery was taken in the old days, concluding it is old and behind the times when it was full of life. It is similar to looking back to old photographs and bringing the old time to present, Black and White photography will always connect the past and the present making it appear to be more realistic. More like time travel, a fascinating impact and subconscious effect of Black and White Photography.
It Brings Shadows to Life
Perfecting this photography is much easier said than done as it requires a lot of mastery, skill and creativity. Showcasing the range and tones of these two plain colors and making it perfectly look good together is the most challenging part of this style that only honed photographers can capture. This photo of a man captured by a skilled photographer on a one gloomy afternoon on which the sun wasn’t brightly shining, given the right amount of light, proper exposure, great composition and timing, finally shows a perfect black and white subject. This type of photography illustrates dramatic shadows that will surely draw viewers’ attention quickly and open doors for their imagination. What an amazing work of art!
As years go by, monochromatic films fade but B&W photography still remains and still in the line of what we called “trend”. To support this claim, Black and White photography may appear to be less valued by some, but in contrast, featured by big Fashion magazines like Vogue, Elle and Cosmopolitan and even to special and intimate occasions such as weddings and any other momentous events and milestones in a person’s life. If you want to make these special moments lasting, then Black and White Photography is the perfect choice for you. B&W photography isn’t just removing the color, leaving the subject lifeless, dull and bland. It is much more than that. It is all about patterns, shapes, lights, shadows and stories. It makes the mood alive and touches the emotion of the viewers. As what has been famously said, “Color is descriptive, Black and White is interpretive.” So, Yes. One can still find the hidden beauty of this life even through the darkest times. Thanks to Black and White photography.
Mobile Photography by Jones Silva Creatives
_edited.jpg)
