Monochrome Stills

In a recent training that I attended in Kuwait, the facilitator showed us this picture and asked, “Would you like to go to this place?”

Of course, the majority said yes because it looks refreshing, relaxing and inviting.

Then, he asked another question.

“What if it was shown to you in black and white? Would you still want to come?”

While almost everybody said no, I thought otherwise.

It may be the student photographer in me silently speaking and giving random reasons.

Well, I definitely think I would still go. There’s something about black and white photos that make them even more impressive for me. They’re mysterious and stunning in a way.

Despite the revolutionary changes in digital color photography, why do some photographers still shoot in black and white?

I tried to look for answers and most of them would already talk about lines, patterns, spaces, tones and composition. These may be a lot to take in for a newbie like me.

So, I’ll make the reasons as simple as black and white through these words.

TIMELESSNESS. VERSATILITY. ARTISTRY. SIMPLICITY. EMOTION. 

Here are a few of my favorite personal monochrome stills.

"Golden Names"

Location: Forest Lake Memorial Park, GSC

"Holiday vs Business Opportunity"

Location: Forest Lake Memorial Park, GSC

"Moral Support"

Location: Forest Lake Memorial Park, GSC

"Curves and Edges"

Location: Kantar Hostels, Armenia

"Breathe"

Location: Kecharis Monastery, Armenia

"Sand Art"

Location: Dubai Miracle Garden, UAE

"Columns"

Location: Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

"Daddy Long Legs"

Location: The Outlet Village, Dubai, UAE

"Beyond the Arches"

Location: Riverland, Dubai, UAE

"Behind Closed Doors"

Location: Riverland, Dubai, UAE

"Tunnels"

Location: Armenia

"Churches + Heavens"

Location: Armenia

"Resting Hope"

Location: Armenia

"Buddy"

Location: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE

"Feline"

Location: Ailuromania Cafe, Dubai, UAE

"Lit"

Location: Armenia

"Reticent"

Location: The Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE

"Peekaboo"

Location: Kuwait

"Wisdom"

Location: Forest Lake Memorial Park, GSC

"Rise of the Phoenix"

Location: Morales Subd., GSC

"Palm Dreams"

Location: Hof Gorei Beach Resort, IGACOS

Black and white are the colors of photography.  To me, they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which mankind is forever subjected.
- Robert Frank, American Photographer & Filmmaker

Do black and white stills speak to you as well? ☻