How to Shoot Black and White Street Photography

By /

How to Shoot Black and White Street Photography

Black_and_White_Street_PhotographyDownload

What’s poppin’, people? It’s Dante. Today, we’re diving into black and white street photography. Over the past two years, I’ve been shooting strictly in black and white, and I’m eager to share some of my photographs and my fundamental thoughts around it.

Why Shoot Black and White?

Switching to black and white has brought more joy into my photography. After years of shooting in color, making the shift simplified my process, removed distractions, and emphasized light, shadow, texture, and emotion.

“By removing colorful distractions and focusing on light and shadow, I can uplift seemingly mundane moments to an extraordinary height.”

Stripping down to black and white gives me endless creative potential. It allows me to see the world differently—where contrast and composition reign supreme.

The Technical Shift

Since picking up my first Ricoh GR2 in 2015, I’ve always shot in color RAW files. But over time, this became a burden. I shoot a lot, and I wanted a streamlined workflow that lets me shoot, process, and upload faster.

My Current Setup:

  • Cameras: Ricoh GR3 & Ricoh GR3X
  • File Type: Small JPEG with high-contrast black and white baked in
  • Editing: Minimal—straight out of the camera
  • Publishing: Directly to my WordPress blog

This setup eliminates Lightroom processing and lets me focus on what matters—shooting more.

“I want to be the most prolific photographer in the world.”

And for that, I need speed. Processing color files is slow. Shooting black and white JPEGs lets me go out, shoot, and immediately share my work.

The Artistic Edge

Black and white simplifies the process and forces me to focus on composition. It eliminates distractions and sharpens my ability to see patterns, textures, and light.

“A cloudy day can become intriguing. A mundane moment can be uplifted through light and shadow.”

Shooting in black and white allows me to abstract reality. It’s not about documenting the world as it is—it’s about reinterpreting it through my own lens.

A New Mindset

  • No more waiting for golden hour—light and shadow are always interesting
  • No more worrying about color harmony—just composition, contrast, and emotion
  • No more limitations—everything is photographable

The Challenge of Black and White

I love pushing my limits. Shooting straight-out-of-camera black and white means no second chances. It forces me to make each frame count.

*”Black and white is not a depiction of reality—it’s what reality *could* be.”*

I’m constantly learning and refining my vision. The interplay between light and shadow creates a timeless and emotional feel that color sometimes fails to capture.

Compositional Approach

1. Focus on Light & Shadow

  • Contrast makes a photo pop. Expose for the highlights, crush the shadows.
  • Look for shadows, reflections, textures, and patterns.

2. Layering for Depth

  • Place elements in the foreground, middle ground, and background.
  • Example: My Eiffel Tower shot—main subject in light, blurred figures in the foreground.

3. Minimalism

  • Remove superfluous details that distract from the core subject.
  • Example: At Penn’s Landing, I underexposed to eliminate background distractions, focusing solely on the birds in flight.

“By simplifying the frame, you create a more impactful photograph.”

Camera Settings:

  • AV Mode
  • Aperture F8
  • Snap focus at 2 meters
  • Auto ISO
  • Minimum shutter speed of 1/500
  • Highlight weighted metering
  • Image Settings:
  • Small JPEG (3360X2240)
  • Image Control: High Contrast Black and White
  • High/Low Key Adjustments: -2
  • Contrast: +4
  • Contrast (Highlight): -4
  • Contrast (Shadow): 0
  • Sharpness: +4
  • Shading: +4
  • Clarity: +4
  • Grain Effect: 3

“Shooting black and white is actually way simpler—let the camera do the work.”

Aesthetics & Inspiration

High contrast black and white evokes a chiaroscuro effect, similar to the paintings of Caravaggio.

  • Deep shadows and bold highlights create a dramatic aesthetic.
  • Kyoto Scuro—an extreme play of light and darkness—guides my vision.
  • Every frame is an opportunity to experiment with contrast and abstraction.

“Shooting black and white feels like stepping into a portal to a new world.”

Final Thoughts

Black and white street photography brings me more joy than ever. It’s all about:

  • Crushing shadows, exposing for highlights
  • Focusing on composition, emotion, and form
  • Simplifying the process for maximum creativity

If you’re looking to push your creative boundaries, I highly encourage you to try it. Strip away the color. See the world differently.

“No matter where I am, what time of day it is, or what I’m doing, there’s always something to uplift in a photograph.”

Learn More

For more on my black and white photography journey, check out:

Thanks for reading—see you on the streets.

Peace.

Light
Dark