Why you should learn photography by shooting in black and white

Black and white photography offers a unique learning experience, helping photographers to eliminate distractions and focus on the essential element of their craft: light. This monochromatic approach teaches valuable lessons that are fundamental for anyone starting out in photography.

The Importance of Lighting

One of the key benefits of black and white photography is its ability to strip away colours. A little obvious, I know, but it reveals the importance of good lighting. Without vibrant hues to distract the eye, photographs can easily fall flat, lacking contrast and depth. This underscores the foundational role of lighting, a crucial aspect that beginners often overlook. In colour photography, it's easy to hide behind visually striking elements, but in black and white, the knowledge of lighting becomes apparent.

Exploring Contrast and Composition

Shooting in black and white encourages an exploration of contrast, which complements good lighting. The visuals of light and shadow can isolate or emphasize a subject, enhancing the overall impact of the image. Additionally, photographers learn to pay closer attention to composition, framing, and the use of elements to tell a compelling story within the photograph.

Realizations Through Personal Experience

I experienced a dramatic upward learning curve after transitioning to black and white. Initially, I wondered why my colour photographs seemed dull. The realization I had was that I was relying on colour or a pretty subject matter like a model or exotic landscape to make my images appealing rather than mastering lighting. This realization was hard-earned through years of trial and error.

Seeing Beyond Color

Black and white photography prompts photographers to focus on elements beyond colour. Recently, I took some photos of red flowers, only later to realize that red comes out as a neutral grey tone in black and white, making the image even more flat, since the day was overcast at the time. The initial attraction to take a photograph was rooted in colour. Revisiting this photograph in black and white, I discovered that the composition and lighting were lacking, emphasizing the importance of these elements.

A Pessimistic Yet Realistic Perspective

In this pessimistic light, I'm trying to convey the essence of learning to see in black and white is about confronting one's flaws—acknowledging the aspects of photography that may be overlooked or concealed in colour. This self-awareness is a powerful catalyst for improvement, helping photographers to enhance their skills at a much faster pace.

The Primacy of Light in Photography

Black and white photography teaches you to see lighting for what it is, the most important part. Because without light, there is no photograph.