Jean Bruneau

A good black and white image should be planned right from the start, keeping the ambiance and the management of light in mind. It should carries the presence of the subject through its own set of emotions, using monochrome to emphasize a subject’s mood without relying on the artifice of color.

To see more of Jean’s work, please visit his website.

Amanda Cotton

Black and white photography is about stripping an image down to the raw emotion of the story the image is telling; this is best done through creative use of contrast throughout the scene and a strong focus on lighting.

To see more of Amanda’s work, please visit her website.

Christian Vizl

What makes for a great mono image?

In my opinion, to create a great mono image goes beyond the technical aspects and has more to do with the ability of the photographer of creating appealing, inspiring and touching images that will tell a story and connect at a deeper level with the viewer. The lack of color is a tool in creating pictures with dramatic effect, carrying depths of emotion and using contrast and tonalities as means to emphasize form and structure of the scenery.

To see more of Christian’s work, please visit his website.

Brian Skerry

Elements of a Great Mono Image

I haven’t shot black and white in a while and didn’t want to simply convert a color image into black and white so hope my monochromatic examples will suffice.

Though closely related, I believe that there is a difference between a monochromatic image and a black & white image. Compelling black and white photos frequently have a striking subject along with varying shades of gray and tonal ranges including rich blacks. The viewer’s eye wanders through such pictures, absorbing the subtleties within. Monochromatic photographs, especially those of underwater subjects, are truly more single color, typically blue.

Powerful images in both genres do share common traits however. With an absence of colors, a photograph must posses strong shape and form. The image compels the viewer with shapes and contrast. Clearly an interesting subject is key as well.

Mike Veitch

With underwater photography, it’s often the bright tones and colors of marine life that makes a color photograph “pop”. When shooting in black and white however, photographers need to “think” in monochrome and choose a subject with a strong sense of character or shape. Also important is creating an image with the right negative space, a simple and clean background allows the distinct contrast and tones of a strong foreground subject shine through.

To see more of Mike’s work, please visit his website.

Page 1: Aaron Wong, Daniel Botelho, Stephen Frink, Tony Wu.
Page 2: Alex Mustard.
Page 3: Abi Mullens, David Barrio, Martin Edge, Ellen Cuylaerts, Kurt Amsler, Jason Bradley.
Page 4: Douglas Seifert.
Page 5: Jean Bruneau, Amanda Cotton, Christian Vizl, Brian Skerry, Mike Veitch.