Black and White versus Colour

Black and White versus Colour

When I was doing the D&AD project, it was brought to my attention that there is an immense effect on how a photograph is interpreted if it is viewed in black and white compared to colour.

Black and white photographs have always appealed to me and I think this is down to the nostalgia that it evokes. This could be down to the fact that cameras had a level of popularity during the First and Second World Wars when families wanted them to take pictures of their loved ones before they went off to fight for their country. Of course, at this time photographs could only be developed in black and white and this is typically the period that people think of when they are faced with black and white photographs.

The dramatic change in mood when a colour photo is converted to black and white is so incredible considering the simple change that has been made and I think it really does change the way in which you engage with the picture. I think that because all of the colour has been taken away, it allows the viewer to concentrate on other elements of the image that they may not have been drawn to if the colour had been there. For instance, you may take more notice of the layout of the photograph, the textures involved in the image and the difference in tones as the image is explored.

I think black and white photography is underrated and could be used to people’s advantage. However, because the effect of black and white photographs is so great you would have to be careful HOW you use it by making sure that the tone of voice that is associated with black and white photography fits in completely with the tone of voice of the message that you are trying to get across.


Reference:
WELLS, LIZ. (2004). Photography: A critical introduction. Routledge