Colour is still my first love…
If you’ve spent more than five minutes on my website, you’ll probably have noticed one thing…
I LOVE colour.
It’s a huge part of my style and one of the things I’m best known for. Rich, vibrant images that grab attention and help businesses stand out online are very much my thing.
So it might surprise you to hear that I still deliver a handful of black and white images to many of my clients.
Why?
Because sometimes colour isn’t the star of the show.
Take this award-winning image, for example. Strip away the colour and it tells a completely different story. You still notice her smile, but now your eye is drawn to the movement in her hair, the soft folds of the fabric and the gentle placement of her hands. It feels moodier, quieter and somehow a little more intimate.
When emotion matters more than colour
Removing colour has a wonderful way of simplifying an image.
Without colourful clothing, bright branding or busy surroundings competing for your attention, you’re left looking at something much more powerful…
The expression.
The connection.
The laughter.
The confidence.
Sometimes black and white helps you notice the person rather than everything around them.
Black & white strips away the distractions
Here your eye is drawn to the details: the carefully painted make-up, the child’s joy and the make-up artist’s intense concentration. Even though she’s slightly out of focus and tucked into the shadows, she somehow becomes just as important as the child herself.
It creates a timeless feel
This image of the Spa Valley Railway is a perfect example for when B&W is perfect. You can almost feel the steam enveloping the driver as he rests in thought, with his battered enamel cup. Monochrome brings out the coal smudges on his hands and face, enhances the texture of the steam and draws your attention to the beautiful curves and shapes of the engine. Suddenly, the distractions in the background simply disappear.
Timeless photographs never go out of style
While most of my galleries are designed to help businesses stand out online, it’s always lovely to include a few timeless images too.
Having both colour and black & white versions gives you options. You might use the vibrant image to grab attention on Instagram, while the monochrome version becomes the perfect choice for your About page, LinkedIn profile or even framed on your office wall.
Many clients are surprised by which images they end up loving the most, and quite often it’s one of the black and white versions.
The best of both worlds
Every gallery I deliver is predominantly colourful (because that’s what I’m known for), but if I spot an image that really sings in black and white, I’ll often include both or very similar versions. Sometimes the colour image works hardest for marketing, while the black and white version becomes the one clients fall in love with.
Of course, there are practical reasons too…
And sometimes, I’ll be completely honest, the colour version is just awful. Bad venue lighting, no flash, weird shadows. Black and white doesn’t just save the image, it saves my reputation!
As a natural/ambient light photographer, I control when and where I shoot to ensure we have good light available but I occasionally shoot events for the Uckfield Chamber of Commerce and some of the venues are not kind to my lens! (It’s OK though, Ian at the Chamber knows my limitations without a flash!)
Just take a look at this image taken inside a dark cinema with very tricky lighting – B&W saves the day in this instance!
They don’t replace colour—they complement it
If you’ve chosen me as your photographer, don’t worry…
I’m not about to hand over a gallery of monochrome images!
Colour will always be at the heart of my work because it reflects my style, your personality and helps your business get noticed.
But every now and then, there’s a photograph that quietly says:
“I think I’d look rather lovely in black and white.”
And usually… it’s right.
A few of my favourites…
I’ve gathered together some of my favourite black and white images from over the years below. Including some from family & maternity sessions which I just adore.
Some are joyful.
Some are thoughtful.
Some are powerful.
All of them remind me that while colour catches your eye, emotion captures your heart.
Don’t worry, I’m not abandoning my beloved vibrant editing any time soon!
Colour will always be my first love, but every now and then black and white quietly steals the show.
So… are you Team Colour, Team Black & White, or do you secretly love a bit of both like me? I’d love to know!
