Just like landscape or portrait photography, there are many alternative styles of architectural photography, and among them firmly sits black and white photography.
Black and white architectural photography involves taking photographs of built structures in a monochrome grey tone. Black and white architectural photographers take their photos in this format and refrain from using any color to express their work.
What is a black & white photograph?
Generally speaking, a B&W photograph is a monochrome photo. However, this definition is a bit ambiguous because you can have a monochrome photo that is not black and white.
The more accurate definition would therefore be, an image where all color has been removed, either in the digital process or by the choice of photographic film, consisting of only shades of grey tones that goes from dark to light.
What are the advantages of black & white photography?
One of the main reasons why black and white photographs are so popular is because they are one of the most effective methods to capture a timeless picture. Color can eventually fade and date a photograph and in turn draw attention to wrong aspects of the image.
Taking photos in black and white also lends your image that added classical feeling. This is because many people still perceive black and white as a throwback to photography rawest form.
Fine art photographers prefer this type of photography because it has a tendency to distance the subject matter from reality. We all see the world in color but when it is removed, we tend to pause and look more closely.
Black and white photography further highlights shape, form and pattern in the image. When color is removed, the distractions that come with it are also done away with. This allows you to really see what is important. You can clearly see the elements of the photo within the frame in terms of their shape, form and their unspoken relationships.
You can also make better use of negative space within the frame. Negative space is defined as the areas of the frame/photo that are empty. These are easier to highlight when shooting in black and white. Distractions that color brings are removed allowing you to separate the subject nicely from the background adding a richer depth to the overall composition.
Images taken in black and white emphasize emotion captured in the image, and as a result you will often feel a closer connection to the subject in the photo. With the color removed, deeper connections can be formed without any distractions.
Finally, practicing black and white photography allows the photographer to view light differently. Your perception of light in the environment and how it interacts with the subject shifts over time, and draws more focus on the quantity, quality and direction of light around you.
Disadvantages of black & white photography
Arguably, it could be said that some black and white photographs lack emotion, and can miss the story telling and human aspect a lot colored photographs present.
Aside from this, not every photographer is skilled enough in taking high quality black and white photographs. It requires a lot of practice and discipline to learn. With black and white photography, the only true difference between the exceptional and the common, is the level of experience the photographer can bring to capturing the right image.
Why is it used in architectural photography?
Black and white photography has the ability of changing the way we perceive the subjects of the photograph.
When used in architectural photography, It emphasizes the building’s shape, form and relationships with its immediate environment. All these aspects are clearer and more prominent in black and white.
What is a black & white architectural photography?
Black and white architectural photography is a type of photography that focuses on capturing the structure, design, and details of buildings, bridges, and other man-made structures using only shades of black, white, and gray.
The lack of color in these photos allows the viewer to focus on the lines, shapes, textures, and tonal variations of the architecture. This type of photography can create a dramatic and timeless effect, highlighting the interplay between light and shadow to reveal the beauty and complexity of architectural design.
Black and white architectural photography has been a popular style of photography since the advent of the medium, and it continues to be widely practiced and appreciated today.
Advantages of using black and white photography in architecture
There are several advantages to using black and white photography in architecture:
- Timelessness: Black and white photographs have a timeless quality that allows them to convey a sense of history and timelessness that can be particularly effective in architectural photography.
- Emphasis on form and texture: Black and white photography can be very effective in highlighting the form, texture, and detail of architectural elements. By removing color, the viewer is able to focus on these important visual elements without being distracted by color.
- Dramatic contrast: The use of black and white photography can create striking and dramatic contrast, particularly when capturing architectural elements that involve light and shadow. This can create a powerful visual impact that draws the viewer into the image.
- Simplification: Black and white photography can simplify complex scenes, making it easier to focus on the architecture itself. This can be particularly useful in photographing intricate structures, where color might otherwise detract from the overall impact of the image.
- Artistic expression: Black and white photography can be a powerful medium for artistic expression, allowing the photographer to create images that convey mood, emotion, and atmosphere. This can be particularly effective in architectural photography, where the photographer is able to use light, texture, and composition to create images that are both visually striking and emotionally evocative.
- Creativity: Structures can be viewed at different, unconventional angles when trying to play with the different aspects of light like the direction and intensity. It allows both the photographer and the viewer to see something different every time.
Disadvantages of using black and white photography in architecture
While there are many advantages to using black and white photography in architecture, there are also some potential disadvantages to consider:
- Loss of color information: By removing color from the image, black and white photography can sometimes result in a loss of important color information, such as the color of building materials or the color of the sky. This can be a disadvantage if the color is an important aspect of the architecture.
- Limited subject matter: Black and white photography can be very effective for certain types of architectural subject matter, but may not be the best choice for all types of architecture. Some buildings or structures may rely heavily on color for their impact or may not have strong enough lines or textures to be effective in black and white.
- Technical considerations: Black and white photography requires a different approach to exposure and processing than color photography, and may require additional technical knowledge and expertise to execute effectively.
- Limited commercial appeal: While black and white photography can be highly artistic and visually striking, it may have limited commercial appeal compared to color photography, which is often more popular for advertising and commercial use.
- Perception of realism: Black and white photography can sometimes be perceived as less realistic than color photography, which may be a disadvantage in certain contexts where realism is important, such as documentary photography or photojournalism.
Famous black and white architectural photographers
Architecture has always been an important subject for photographers, and black and white photography has been a particularly popular medium for capturing the beauty and complexity of man-made structures. Over the years, many talented photographers have used black and white to create stunning images that highlight the lines, shapes, and textures of buildings and other architectural elements.
Below, we explore two lists of five famous architectural photographers, one featuring historical photographers whose work spans several decades, and the other featuring modern-day photographers who are using the latest techniques and technologies to capture the beauty of architecture in black and white.
The historical list will feature photographers who were active in the mid-20th century, including some of the pioneers of black and white architectural photography. These photographers used film cameras and traditional darkroom techniques to create their images, and their work remains a powerful influence on contemporary architectural photographers.
The modern-day list will feature photographers who are active today and who are using digital cameras and advanced software to create their images. These photographers are pushing the boundaries of what is possible with black and white architectural photography, using high dynamic range (HDR) techniques, panoramic stitching, and other innovative approaches to capture the beauty of architecture in new and exciting ways.
Famous historical black and white architectural photographers
1. Frederick H. Evans (born June 26, 1853, London-died June 24, London)
Evans was a British photographer known for his images of English and French cathedrals. He was a man of strong beliefs and a perfectionist and purist at heart. His passion led him to create one of the largest recorded collections of religious architectural photographs.
He carried out his work mainly using the platinotype technique. Platinotype images have extensive and subtle tonal ranges. Simply put, these are monochrome images with better resistance to deterioration. His work was pure, unfiltered and unedited.
2. Berenice Abbott (1898-1991)
Abbott was a pioneering American architectural and scientific photographer who is best known for her series, “Changing New York” (1936-1938), which documented the changing architectural and social landscape of the city during the Great Depression.
3. Julius Shulman (October 10, 1910- July 15, 2009)
Julius Shulman was an American architectural photographer best known for his photograph of the Stahl House in California.
Considered one the most influential architectural photographers, he shot in both color and black and white, with his works published all over the world. Through his work, architectural photography has been considered an independent art form.
4. Eric de Mare (born 1910, London – January 2002)
Most people consider Eric de Mare to be one of Britain’s most influential architectural photographers. According to The Telegraph, through De Mare’s photography, British architects were forced to rethink the entire idea of modernism and what really defines it, and this pushed the whole industry into a new era.
Eric de Mare was predominantly an industrial photographer. He had years of experience in this field, which is why he was featured in many publications and won a lot of awards for his unique outlook on architecture.
5. Ezra Stoller (16 May 1915 – 29 October 2004)
Ezra Stoller was born in Chicago. He specialized in the photography of landmarks of modern architecture. Some of his most iconic works include Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and Alva Aalto’s Finnish Pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
He was world-renown for his innate ability to capture the beauty of modern architecture through black-and-white photography.
Ezra Stoller is widely credited with having aided the spread of modernism in architecture through his work. His distinguished career earned him the honor of being the first recipient of a Gold Medal for Photography from the American Institute of Architects.
Top famous black and white architectural photographers today
Prokos is a Greek-American architectural and fine-art photographer. His work has taken him around the world, earning him numerous awards. His fine art photographs incorporate architectural elements and sweeping natural and urban views.
In Brazil 2012 and 2013, he produced his award-winning series, the Niemeyer’s Brasilia, which earned him nation-wide and international praise. This series featured in Brazilian print media and was later published in twelve countries.
His series, ‘Night and Day’, which utilizes multiple exposures captured over time to document the transition from day to night in various locations around the world was awarded two first-place finishes at the 2015 Prix de la Photographie People’s Choice Awards.
2. Hélène Binet
Binet is a Swiss-French female architectural photographer based in London. She is also one of the leading architectural photographers in the world right now, working with some of the most influential architects like Zaha Hadid architects, Peter Zumthor and Daniel Libeskind.
She is an award-winning photographer having received the Redaksjonell Fotografi from Visuelt, 1997, Wissenschaft fur Leben Scholarship, 2004 from the Olympus Europa Stiftung, Forum AID Award 2006, and the Honorary Fellowship of Royal Institute of British Architects, 2008. Most recently she was honored with the Julius Shulman Institute Excellence in Photography Award in 2015.
Kerstin Arnemann is a German photographer. She currently lives on the small island of Malta. She is passionate about fine art and specializes in long exposure photography.
She demonstrates her prowess in her predominantly monochromatic photographs which have a playful combination of lines, shapes, and light.
4. Mihai Florea
Mihai Florea is an Australian photographer from Melbourne. He got into architectural photography only recently, but he brings with him a fresh take on things and an entirely new outlook on the field of architectural photography.
His work places a clear emphasis on composition, balance and lighting. He also uses long exposure techniques and minimalistic monochrome pictures to create a sense of depth and excite the viewer.
Gospodarou is an award-winning photographer for her black and white fine art photography. She is also an Athens-based architect with a deep passion for her work.
Her works emphasize the almost abstract details of a structure without completely removing it from context by preserving the factor of scale and the building’s form.
FAQ’s about black and white architectural photography
What is the rule for black and white photography?
There are no hard and fast rules for black and white photography, as it is ultimately up to the photographer to decide how to capture and process their images. However, there are some general guidelines and considerations that can be helpful when shooting black and white photography:
- Look for strong lines and shapes: Black and white photography often relies on strong lines and shapes to create visual interest and impact. Look for architectural elements that have well-defined lines and geometric shapes.
- Consider the tonal range: Black and white photography is all about the interplay between light and shadow, so pay attention to the tonal range of the scene you are photographing. Look for areas of high contrast and interesting shadow patterns.
- Pay attention to texture: Texture can be particularly effective in black and white photography, as it can create a sense of depth and dimensionality in the image. Look for architectural elements that have interesting textures, such as rough stone or smooth glass.
- Experiment with exposure: Black and white photography often involves a different approach to exposure than color photography. You may need to experiment with exposure settings to achieve the desired tonal range and contrast.
- Consider post-processing: Post-processing can be an important part of creating effective black and white images. Consider using software to adjust the contrast, brightness, and tonality of your images, as well as to convert them to black and white.
Ultimately, the most important “rule” for black and white photography is to experiment and have fun. Don’t be afraid to try new things and push the boundaries of what is possible with this medium.
Why would a photographer use black and white?
A photographer may choose to use black and white photography for a variety of reasons, depending on their artistic vision and the context of the images they are capturing. One of the most common reasons for using black and white is to create a timeless or classic feel to the images.
By removing the distraction of color, the focus is placed on the form, texture, and lines of the subject, which can create a sense of timelessness and nostalgia. This is particularly effective when photographing architecture or other subjects that have a strong historical or cultural significance.
Another reason for using black and white photography is to create a sense of drama or contrast in the images. Black and white images can be very effective in highlighting the interplay between light and shadow, which can create a strong visual impact.
This can be particularly useful in architectural photography, where the photographer may be looking to create a sense of drama or to draw attention to the intricate details of the building or structure.
Black and white photography can also be a powerful tool for artistic expression. By manipulating the contrast, brightness, and tonality of the image, the photographer can create images that convey mood, emotion, and atmosphere.
This can be particularly effective in architectural photography, where the photographer is able to use light, shadow, and composition to create images that are both visually striking and emotionally evocative.
In addition to these artistic reasons, there may also be practical reasons for using black and white photography. For example, some photographers may prefer black and white for certain types of printing, such as high-contrast fine art prints or images that will be printed in a book or magazine.
Black and white images can also be effective in certain lighting conditions, such as low light or high contrast scenes, where color may become a distraction or may not be accurately captured by the camera.
