Shooting black and white photography was known to be as a result of technological limitations some decades ago. However, it is a deliberate option that people choose these days given that colored photos are the most popular and common. The question that is running through your mind must definitely have to do with why photographers will want to take black and white pictures instead of colored ones? After all, the latter has got advanced SLR which makes pictures to stand out.
The truth is that everyone is free to make his decision and you can’t question photographers who still opt for black and white photos even in this modern era. According to most of them, photos like these are always unique amongst others when produced. For this reason alone, there is no doubt that most people out there will want to try out such photos. In such a case, you need to learn from the best that have been there over the years. Such is what this post will be offering you today.
The major aim of this post is to show you some of the best modern black and white photographers who are making an indelible impression on their clients. They are the type of professionals you should consider hiring for a perfect black and white photo.
1 Boogie
Boogie was born in Belgrade but bases in Brooklyn. One aspect where he has proven to be one of the best is that his black and white photos look very real and fascinating. He has undertaken lots of projects in various countries around the world over the years. These are different scenes which are proof that he understands how to take perfect black and white photos. Very few photographers understand how to capture those special moments in black and white the way Boogie does.
Samples of Boogie’s photography
2 Firman Boedihardjo
Firman Boedihardjo is another black and white photographer who deserves to be mentioned amongst the others on this list. Even though he claims to be very simple, his black and white photos aren’t. They have proven to be a definition of excellence. You will find numerous back stage shots that he has produced over the years in his Instagram handle and National geographic profile. His area of expertise has always been capturing nature in its true form over the years.
Samples of Firman Boedihardjo photography
3 José Miguel
José Miguel is one of the best natural explorers around. He has perfected his ways of spotting venues in very clean ways. Even when color saturation is very low, he manages to send messages with black and white photos that are very clear to understand. Although he also understands how to take colored pictures, his high level of expertise and professionalism is displayed when black and white pictures are shown on his social media accounts.
Samples of José Miguel photography
4 Henri Cartier-Bresson
According to Henri Cartier-Bresson, photography is nothing when the reality isn’t captured in the way that it ought to. This is one of the reasons why he is seen as one of the best modern black and white photographers. He is widely regarded as one of the brains behind modern photojournalism. If you are familiar with the adoption of rangefinder cameras (35mm), this name should ring the bell. His skills in black and white photography can be traced to how he was able to move from being a painter into a photographer.
Samples of Henri Cartier-Bresson photography
5 Michael Kenna
Michael Kenna is a great landscape photographer who deserves to be mentioned amongst the best. He is not only committed 100% towards producing black and white photos as such are being produced in a very unique way. If there is one photographer you will need to follow constantly, such is Michael Kenna. This is due to the way he has managed to capture moments in black and white. The best part is that the messages being sent are still clear and obvious.
Samples of Michael Kenna photography
6 Shana and Robert ParkeHarrison
This couple is really good at what they have been known for over the years which is producing some stunning black and white photos. ParkeHarrisons’ photos are characterized by melancholic feel and noir. There are very few black and white photographers who understand how to send messages that are poetical and metaphorical at the same time. With their lack of color, you will definitely find them fascinating and inviting.
Samples of Shana and Robert ParkeHarrison photography
7 Roger Ballen
Roger Ballen is a black and white photographer who bases in Johannesburg even though he was born in New York. Making a great impression on any target audience using black and white photos can be very difficult. This is different with Roger Ballen as he makes the process looks like a walk in the park. The style that he adopts makes the use of color to be offensive. His compositions are potent and prudent. He is one of the best that you can look up to when it comes to documentary photography.
Samples of Roger Ballen photography
8 Daidō Moriyama
Daidō Moriyama has always been there amongst the best in the world of black and white photography. Given his vast level of experience in this field, no one would want to question whether he deserves to be mentioned in this list or not. The contrast in his photos is really high and aggressive to send messages across in a very clear manner. These are dynamic photos that can express anything under the sun. Fluid continuity is also added by the black and white features in his photos.
Samples of Daido Moriyama photography
9 Sally Mann
Shooting in white and black indeed features Sally Mann’s photography. Obviously, that is by all account not the only component of her aptitude, vision, and system that influences the results. However, it nearly feels as vintage white and black includes a vital dimension of separation between the picture and the subject.
Samples of Sally Mann photography
“All text printed on the bottom of the images must be cropped off prior to use. The copyright credit, artist’s name, and the title, medium and dimensions of each work must be displayed with each published image. There is to be no additional cropping, bleeding, cutting into, overlaying or altering of the image in any way. The image must not be reproduced in any other manner than as specifically described in the above, as approved by the artist. The image is for one-time use only and must not be stored for future use.”
10 Ellen von Unwerth
Ellen von Unwerth may be a fashion photographer but her skills when it comes to impressive black and white photos are too good to be ignored. She is a German who has managed to perfect her skills in the art of modern black and white photography over the years. Her works on social media have been nothing short of impressive.
Samples of Ellen von Unwerth photography
This article highlighted only the key aspects of monochrome photography as shown by the samples of works produced by the above-mentioned photographers. Such creative images have helped many people across the world to learn and appreciate black and white pictures.
