Exploring Photographic Styles: When to Choose Color or Black and White

In today’s age of pocket computers, capturing images or creating art has become accessible to everyone. However, the question of “When to choose color or black and white?” continues to spark lively discussions among those delving into various photographic styles. Cell phones have more power than the desktop computers of only a decade ago. Phone cameras have more capabilities than the photography equipment that cost thousands of dollars only a few years ago. Everyone can snap a photo at a moment’s notice but photography is about an artistic vision.

An artist painting a picture must decide on their medium whether to use oil paint, watercolors, charcoal pencils or pastels, A photographer makes the same choice when choosing to shoot with color film or black and white. The digital photographic experience allows the choice to be made before, during and after the shoot. It is a fundamental choice of the photographer whether to shoot in color or black and white. A color photograph and a black-and-white one convey different emotions and invoke different thoughts.

The Emotional Impact of Color

Colors have an emotional impact on perception; thus, a color photograph can stir up emotions in the viewer. Psychologically bright colors like red and yellow create feelings of energy and urgency, and tones like blue and green are calming and tranquil. Photographing a scene such as a city street, a sunset, or a landscape, colors can play a role in affecting the emotions of the viewer.

City street with colorful buildings

Sunset at the beach with clouds

A road leading to a lake with snowy mountains as the backdrop

Color photography is essential when looking to capture accurate details, such as in nature, or landscapes. Nature photographers prefer color shots to capture distinguishing colors between species and bring their subjects to life for the viewer. Fashion photography or advertising photographs are more likely to rely on color but can change dramatically in black and white.

Color photography can sometimes draw the viewer’s attention away from the essence of the photograph. Black and white could be a more powerful choice to highlight starkness, depth, framing and the interplay of shadow and light in a photograph.

The Power of Black and White

In the images of director Martin Scorsese, the stark differences between black and white and color photography are strikingly evident.

Director Martin Scorsese photographed in color and black & white by Michael Grecco

While the color version captures the urban environment with realistic detail, the black-and-white image transcends by stripping away distractions, allowing the interplay of light and shadow to take center stage. This starkness emphasizes Scorsese’s silhouette, creating a timeless and dramatic effect. The monochrome palette enhances textures, contrasts, and mood in ways that color cannot, drawing the viewer into the essence of the scene. Especially for portraits, black and white photography transforms the ordinary into the cinematic, making it an ideal choice when the goal is to focus on form, emotion, and visual impact.

Billy Idol photographed by Michael Grecco

American Swimmer Richelle Fox photographed by Michael Grecco

Director Martin Scorsese photographed by Michael Grecco

Making the Choice Between Color and Black and White

Each brings its own advantage and style to the subject and the images. Photographers as artists need to consider their choice based on:

• The Subject – Is color necessary for its identity? Or will a photograph that highlights texture and form with shadows and light evoke stronger emotional reactions?
• The Mood – Color and Black and White each capture mood, however black and white often sets a dramatic and thoughtful tone.
• Light and Contrast – The essence of photography as an art is the interplay between light and shadows. Color can add depth in low light where black and white may fail.
• Artists Vision- It is the photographer as the creator whose vision dictates color or black and white.

Every Picture is a Story

Every facet of an artistic photograph completes the story. Whether it is told in the full spectrum of color or in the nuances and hues of black and white, the photographer makes the choice based on the story he sees through the lens.