If you combine two of the most fascinating branches in photography what do you get? The black and white portrait photography of course. Don’t tell me that you have never tried taking a portrait? You may have gotten this far without photographing a building or a flower, but only a face? I bet so, and also several times. And it would be hard for me to believe that you have never taken a photograph in black and white. Either directly from your camera or transforming it later, I would dare to say that you have done it and, also more than once, am I wrong?
Whether you are passionate about black and white or not, I recommend that you take a look at the following selection of portraits.
As we have recommended more than once, inspiration comes through multiple paths, one of them is observing images of other.
So relax and take a look at the following images, I hope you enjoy them. But first, allow me to recommend you a mega guide that we have prepared for you on portrait photography.
Here you will find tricks, tips and the inspiration to achieve the most spectacular portraits.
But be aware that if you need to go deeper into black and white, we also have something very special for you. In this comprehensive guide you will find everything you need to achieve stunning black and white photos.
Table of Contents
14 Reasons of why you should always take portrait in black and white
AN IMAGE WITH NOISE
Noise in an image is not always annoying, it can also be deeply pictorial and evocative, as in the image below.
HIGH CONTRAST PHOTOGRAPH
The high contrast (deep difference between lights and shadows or between light and dark) can give us images like the following, which not only impacts the treatment of light and contrast but also the message that the image transmits, Don’t you think?
AN ORIGINAL DOSE FOR THE BLACK AND WHITE PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
Different frames usually make us stop more before an image and get involved in it. How do I do it? Where are the legs? Who is this man in the hat? Is it a self portrait? Ah, no, it’s the photograph of a photograph! 😉
BLACK AND WHITE PORTRAITS AND DOUBLE EXPOSURE
We have already discussed this step-by-step technique on some other occasions in this blog, you can see how to do it here, and the result of the blog’s followers here, in the double exposure challenge.
BLACK AND WHITE IN LOW KEY
It is another of the techniques that we have already discussed on the blog. If you have a dark background, a spot light and some patience, you can experiment with this technique. I assure you that the results are fantastic.
BLACK AND WHITE IN HIGH KEY
If what you are looking for is an image full of light, pure and positive, you only need a white background and follow the advice in this article and be inspired by the results of the challenge we had on this topic.
EVERYDAY
It is not the first time that we comment on the importance of the objects and people that surround us and of the everyday as an eternal source of inspiration. You don’t have to go to the Orinoco Delta to get wonderful images of animals. If you have one, you don’t even need to leave the house, and if not, it is a great excuse to make a photobook to your friend’s pet while you practice making and remaking as many times as you need.
SYMBOLS
The abstract, the mysterious and/or the conceptual, link very well with black and white. Do not forget to exploit its possibilities 😉
TREATMENT OF THE IMAGE
Whether you are from the «purist» branch (the less retouching the better) or from the «instagram generation» (where not using a filter is almost unthinkable) to convert an image to black and white, you always need processing. It is up to you to stay with the type of processing that defines you and in which you feel comfortable. Like everything, it is a matter of practice trial and error.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT
We have already commented on more than one occasion, the importance of everything that surrounds the protagonist of the image. Ideally, the environment reinforces the subject, makes it more interesting, and highlights it.
SILHOUETTES
We have already discussed how well formal compositions look in black and white portrait photography, right? 😉
DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF TO THE LOOK OF THE HUMAN BEING
An intense look is in any animal species, you do not have to limit yourself to that of human beings.
BLACK AND WHITE TEXTURES
Texture is a very important element in black and white photography, since by stripping color images, the rest of the elements become much more relevant, including texture.
DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF TO THE FACES
Look for original frames, new points of view, what really inspires you and give free rein to your imagination 😉
Have you already decided to abandon the colors for black and white? 😉 Has it at least inspired you enough to try immersing yourself in the wonderful world of monochrome for a season?
I hope you have enjoyed the images and that they have inspired you to what we always try to promote on the blog; to practice 🙂
reviewed by Daniel Davis
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