Black-and-white photography is currently considered an art form. Some even argue that the most skilled photographers have learned to work in monochrome. According to Dracinc, a Harlem Black & White Photographer, it is a medium with a rich history that helps advance the craft.
Donn Thompson Classic Approach To Black & White
For me, black-and-white photography has been a fundamental form of growth, enabling me to utilise the camera's eyepiece more effectively. My photography approach is simple, with a more aesthetic eye, which helps me become a better photographer.
As a New York-based black-and-white photographer who works in advertising, I draw inspiration from and incorporate many other elements of black-and-white photography. The tonal quality helps my clients see the contrast, textures, shapes, forms, and the flow of light.
Before the advent of digital photography, the only way to produce black-and-white photographs was to use black-and-white film and a darkroom or laboratory. I used to experiment with Kodak Tri-X, Plus-X, and Ilford High-Speed infrared film in the darkroom.
However, with advances in technology, I have now discovered and improved methods to create black-and-white images on my computer that match those produced in a traditional black-and-white lab. I find the beauty of black-and-white photography lies in the contrasts of light and dark, the interplay of shadows and highlights, which can sometimes evoke the sensation of colour.
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