Black and white street photography has a long history – with the first “street photographs” being taken by Eugène Atget in the late 1800’s. The genre is typified by images of people on city streets, often candidly captured without warning or permission.
Black and white street photography can be both documentary and artistic, with some photographers using it to capture everyday life on the street while others use it as an opportunity to experiment with form and composition.
Black and white photography was popularized in its modern form when French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson famously said that he preferred black-and-white film over color because it offers “a means of expression which seems more intimate”.
Street photography is a type of photojournalism that captures candid scenes in public, without any interference from the photographer. The genre was popularized by photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson, who often captured moments with a quick snap of the camera and no warning to those in his frame.
Street photography can be black and white or color; it’s up to you. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to take your very own street photography shots in just 3 easy steps.
What is Monochrome Photography?
Monochrome photography is a form of art that has been around for a while and is one of the oldest forms of black and white street photography. It’s not just about taking black and white photos, it’s also about the composition and detail in the photo. It was used to create photographs that had a more classic feel and look.
Some of the benefits of Black and White Street Photography:
A lot of people think that black and white street photography is outdated, but it has its benefits. For example, you can create beautiful monochrome images with high contrast and dynamic range.
It’s also a great way to tell a story without adding any color distractions. Here are some more benefits for getting the best black and white photos possible.
- Black and white photography is timeless
- It’s easier to focus on one person or object in a black and white photo than color
- Black and white photos are more dramatic, since they lack the distraction of colors
- You can take black and white photos with your phone.
- There are many famous street photographers who have taken black and white photographs such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank, Vivian Maier, Garry Winogrand, Diane Arbus among others
- Street photography allows you to capture life as it happens without worrying about getting the perfect shot.
Tips for Shooting Black and White Photography:
Shooting black and white photography is an art form that has been around for a very long time. The earliest photographers were shooting in black and white, as the technology to develop color images didn’t exist yet.
Today we have many different options when it comes to capturing amazing shots in all their glory. With new technologies like digital cameras, apps, and filters, you can take any photo from your vacation or event and convert it into a beautiful picture without having to spend hours at the darkroom!
Below mentioned points will cover some of the basics of how you can create stunning photos with ease using just your camera phone.
- Black and white photography is a great way to highlight the subject of your photo
- It’s important to use light creatively in black and white photos, so pay close attention to how you’re shooting
- Monochromatic images are not limited to just black and white – try using different shades of gray for other effects
- You can also make color photographs monochromatic by converting them into grayscale or sepia tones after taking the picture
- Try experimenting with contrast, too – if there’s too much light in an image, consider adding some more dark areas while brightening up lighter ones
- Pay attention to composition as well – it will help create interesting compositions that draw viewers’ eyes around the frame