When to Convert a Photo to Black and White
First things first, I have to admit that I don’t do a lot of black and white photography. I enjoy using vibrant colors in my photographs, but this does not always work or is simply not possible. It is not as simple as removing the colors from a photograph to create black and white images. Because we are forced to focus on the image’s story, a strong composition is required. In this article, I will discuss what to look for in a photograph and how to decide whether to convert it to black and white.
Strong geometry
If your photo has strong lines, circles, or geometrical shapes in general, it is a good candidate for black and white conversion. Take a look at the Eiffel Tower photo below. The strong lines and curves, as well as the light, draw the viewer’s attention directly into the photograph.
High contrast
A high contrast scene with rich black shadows and bright white areas works well in black and white. Color draws attention, so removing it allows you to focus on the scene.
Dominant figures
Minimal photos with strong and simple subjects can also benefit from black and white treatment. When there is only one point of interest in your photo, such as the leafless tree in the image below, you can experiment with removing the color. The blue sky in the background makes the tree stand out even more. However, if there is too much information and texture in the scene, as in a forest, color is required to separate the elements.
Dramatic mood
Black and white can really change the mood of a photo and make a dull image look really dramatic.
Final Words
It’s always a matter of personal preference when it comes to converting a photograph to black and white. In this tutorial, hopefully, I’ve helped you decide which of your images should be converted to black and white. When you’re doing so, make sure your blacks are black and your whites are white, so your photos don’t become a sea of grey.
If you enjoy the photographs above, here’s a collection of my favorite black and white photos, which are available as fine art prints and other products.
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Comments on This Post
Bill SwartwoutAuthor
I have always been a strong proponent of black and white photography. The rationale and examples you posted here for creating imagery in B&W are excellent. There are certainly a lot of quality photographs that actually “work” better in black and white than they do in color.
Alexios NtounasAuthor
Thank you very much for your kind words Bill! Although I mostly create images with vibrant colors I love black and white photography. Once you remove the color you must have a strong subject which will stand out and attract the viewers attention. Add to that a great composition and tonal difference. When done correctly you end up with a really rewarding image!
Christopher WadeAuthor
Instead of converting a print into black and white, start thinking in those terms. Seeing what form a subject will end up in and develop your subject directly into that form from the gate. Instead of the conversion which will often times being less than perfect.
Alexios NtounasAuthor
I agree with your perspective. In fact a friend of mine has the lcd screen of his camera set to black and white so that he directly sees how it looks like!