Black and white photography forces one to see and feel the world differently when taking photos. As I’m shooting primarily with my Fujifilm X-E1 mirrorless camera, my electronic viewfinder (EVF) always lets me preview the image in B&W when such mode is selected. The good thing about shooting B&W is that some scene that looks ordinary and flat can be very artistic in B&W because the distraction from other colors is eliminated.
I think these are some reasons why people including myself love black and white photography:
Timelessness – Black and white photography has a classic, timeless quality that appeals to many people. It can evoke a sense of nostalgia and give images a sense of history.
Emotion – Without the distraction of color, black and white photography can emphasize emotion and mood. The contrast between light and shadow can create a dramatic effect that draws the viewer into the image.
Simplicity – By eliminating color, black and white photography simplifies the image, allowing the viewer to focus on the composition, texture, and other elements of the photograph.
Artistry – Black and white photography is often associated with fine art photography, and many photographers find it to be a more expressive and creative medium than color photography.
Technical challenges – Shooting in black and white requires a different approach than shooting in color. Photographers must be mindful of contrast, texture, and tonality to create a compelling image.
Here are my daily practice pictures taken with the X-E1 and XF18MM F2.
Watched this video the other day and found it very inspirational. Really worth a look.