September 9, 2023

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #265 Black and White or Monochrome

“There’s something strange and powerful about black-and-white imagery.” – Stefan Kanfer

What is the difference between black and white and monochrome pictures? They both start as a black and white image with various shades of grey. Although, monochrome images go one step further since a single toning filter is added to create an overall mood or feeling.

I always photograph in color and usually in Raw which means some post-editing is necessary. One of the last steps is to convert the picture to black, white.  It is always fun to see how a picture looks in black and white verses color. Here are a few black and white examples below.

“In black and white there are more colors than color photography, because you are not blocked by any colors so you can use your experiences, your knowledge, and your fantasy, to put colors into black and white.” – Anders Petersen

Next are a few examples of monchome pictures, each with a different color toning filter.

“Color is descriptive. Black and white is interpretive.” – Elliott Erwitt

Hope you have enjoyed seeing examples. (Each picture can be enlarged by double clicking it.)

Anne, author of Slow Shutter Speed, chose the topic for the week. Be sure to see her beautiful pictures by clicking here! 

“May we never get so used to seeing things from our one point of view that we forget to see them from other points of view. Because it’s true what they say: There’s more to a thing than meets the eye.” – Billy Jack Brawner