Black and white photography does more to evoke an emotion and freeze a moment in time than any other medium
Cliff Edom, Photojournalist
Why, when we see the world in colour, do we often find black and white portraits so engaging? With the distraction of colours stripped away we are driven to focus on elements such as the direction of a gaze, skin texture and the interplay of light and shadow on the face. Elements such as clothing and jewellery fade into the background and the expression on the face takes centre stage.
Also, black and white lends a timeless quality to photographs. We still think of it as a throwback to the past, especially those of us, like me, who grew up with only black and white photos.
While thinking about what I might do for this week’s theme-free Monochrome Madness I came across an excellent post from Nilla of Image Earth Travel, sharing some wonderful photos of faces from her travels. I was immediately inspired to do something similar and as I particularly like monochrome portraits and candid shots, that was the obvious route to take.
The last time I explored this theme was in March 2023. So I’ve made sure that all my choices were taken after that date so as not to duplicate. They may however have appeared in other previous posts, but not, I think, in monochrome.
My feature photo was taken near Dambakolapatuna Sri Sangamiththa Temple on the outskirts of Jaffna
I’m always on the lookout for wedding shoots
By the Pont Saint-Louis, Paris
In the grounds of our hotel in Jaffna, Sri Lanka
By the Rhine in Cologne
Performers also provide great photo opportunities
Actress in the Piazza di Santa Croce, Florence (filming Dinner with Dante)
Drummer in the Zócalo, Mexico City
On Fremont Street, Las Vegas
In the Copper Canyon Adventure Park, Mexico
Children always make cute subjects
When possible I make sure that parents give permission for me to photograph their children, either explicitly or implied, but a couple of these are candids
Shy toddler at the Blood Compact Monument, Bohol, Philippines
At the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico
In Creel, Mexico
Our guide Jezzy and her goddaughter in Bangaan, Philippines
Mother and child, Vigan, Philippines
(the mother was happy for me to photograph her son but didn’t want to be included herself)
At Creel station, Mexico
Like the train staff above, people at work make for interesting shots, either posed or candid
Doorman at The Radh Hotel, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Tuk-tuk driver in Vigan, Philippines
A couple of miscellaneous ones to finish
On the terrace of the Café Panis by the Pont au Double, Paris
In the gardens at Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
10 Comments
margaret21
You’ve definitely proved your argument, Sarah. B/w is so often the way to go in portraiture. It seems to go straight to the essence of the person in the frame.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
These are truly beautiful, I love black and white portraits. You prove it to be true again
Pepper
Sarah, these are fantastic portraits! 👏
bushboy
I don’t know how you do it Sarah. These are terrific photos of people, finding their spark for life.
Sarah Wilkie
Many thanks Brian 😊 I guess I just keep my eyes open for interesting-looking people and either ask for a photo or (more often) try to catch them looking natural and unaware of my camera.
bushboy
Even then my photos of people are rubbish
Vicki
Wonderful series in B & W, but the one in Copper Canyon Adventure Park is stunning. Lovely contrast of light and shade and perfect composition. The expression on the man’s face really caught my eye too.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much Vicki 😊 I was pleased with that Copper Canyon photo at the time, but this is the first stab I’ve had at a B&W edit and I like it even more this way, so I’m glad it caught your eye!
Anne Sandler
I do love seeing your environmental portraits Sarah. You capture their souls in black and white, especially the children.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Anne 😊 I find this sort of people photography much more interesting than studio work – people somehow seem more themselves in their natural environment.