Why Black-and-White Street Photography?
For the past year, I’ve been photographing exclusively in black and white. After years of shooting in color, this transition has changed my approach to street photography, my process, and even my understanding of the art itself. Let’s dive into what I’ve learned along the way and why this shift has been so impactful.
Why Make the Switch?
When I decided to move from color to black-and-white photography, I took a hard look at my relationship to the medium and the process I was following. I found that my previous workflow — shooting in color, processing RAW files, and editing in Lightroom — had become slow and cumbersome, especially with the sheer volume of photos I take. This new approach has allowed me to reconsider the entire photographic process, from capturing moments on the street to culling and organizing at home.
“I desire to go out and make pictures in a quick way where what I see is what I get in the camera.”
Ultimately, switching to black and white has streamlined my workflow and enhanced my connection to the process itself.
Speed and Simplicity
One of the biggest motivations behind my switch was speed. With my Ricoh GR III, I now shoot in high-contrast black and white using small JPEG files. These files, around 4MB each, allow me to photograph continuously without worrying about file size or lengthy processing times. I no longer need to sit at my computer, tinkering in Lightroom.
“By adopting this workflow, I can import thousands of photos from the day at lightning speed directly into the iPad Pro Photos app.”
This fast, streamlined process frees up more time for shooting and reduces the technical overhead of editing. It’s about getting back to the basics and focusing on the act of capturing moments rather than managing files.
Moving Beyond Documentary: Abstracting Reality
In my transition to black-and-white photography, I’ve shifted from a documentary approach to one focused on abstracting reality. In the past, I aimed to depict scenes as they were, capturing reality as faithfully as possible. Now, I’m more interested in creating images that depict what life could be rather than just what it is.
“I simply observe life, place myself and the camera in a particular way, but what the camera sees is what I get.”
Through black and white, I can experiment and push the boundaries of what a photograph can be. The high contrast and absence of color make it easier to focus on shapes, forms, and textures, allowing each shot to become an artistic interpretation of the moment rather than a literal representation.
The Aesthetics of Black and White
With high contrast settings cranked to the max on my Ricoh, black-and-white photography has allowed me to create images that are aesthetically beautiful straight out of the camera. Black and white has an aesthetic power that goes beyond the beauty of color; I find it to be sublime in its simplicity. The deep shadows and stark highlights bring out a timeless quality, while freeing me from depending on golden hour lighting or perfect weather conditions.
“The aesthetics are very sublime and beyond beauty when I crush the shadows to deep black and focus only on what is in the highlight areas.”
In black and white, every condition is suitable. There’s a purity to it that lets me work with what’s in front of me, regardless of the time of day or lighting.
Back to Basics: Relearning Photography
Switching to black and white has been a way for me to reevaluate everything from the ground up. It’s liberating to strip away color and focus solely on light, shadow, and form. This shift has been rejuvenating, allowing me to approach photography with fresh eyes and an open mind. In many ways, it feels like I’m learning the fundamentals all over again.
“I believe all photographers should be able to photograph in both color and black and white.”
By stepping back to black and white, I’m not only simplifying my process but also enriching my understanding of photography itself. Going forward, it feels natural to continue exploring this medium, challenging myself to create striking images without relying on color.
Switching to black-and-white photography has reshaped my approach to street photography, my workflow, and my perspective on the art. It’s a return to simplicity, efficiency, and experimentation — qualities that fuel my passion for capturing the streets and pushing the boundaries of what a photograph can convey.