Monochromatic a.k.a. Black & White photos are simple, minimal, clear and without the "noises" of the colors. Although, there are no colors, the monotone photography can capture the moment and express the emotions, the movements, the contrast, the details and the storytelling much better than the colorized one.
Monochrome photography, also known as monotone photography, uses a single color or tone, typically shades of gray in black and white, to create images. While less common is blue or green.
Monochrome and black & white photography are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between the two. The black & white photography refers to photographs that are made using only shades of black, white, and gray. So, not all monochromatic photographs are black and white.
The history of the monochromatic photography as a technique started at the early of 20th century, 20s-30s. The most known photographers and the first who experimented with it was Ansel Adams (1902-1984), Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004), Sebastiano Salgado (1944-2025) and Dorothea Lange (1895-1965). Before this dates, photography was always in "black & white" because the colorization techniques did not invented yet.
The techniques of a monochromatic photography are two. The first one, you can choose the monochrome option/mode from your camera, if it is available. If not, you can convert your photos to black and white or monochrome using photo editing software.
Why are we capturing Monochromatic?
The answer is for the aesthetic. Yes, the black & white photos can make much more different vibes than the colorized. In a monochromatic photo you can notice the details, the texture, the contrast of the shadows, it makes your captures more minimalistic, more clear more retro and more aesthetic. Here some of the most known monochromatic photographers, Albert Watson, Daido Moriyama and David Yarrow.
Monochromatic in Fashion Industry
The world of fashion always seeks of the most aesthetic, extraordinary but also commercial photographers for magazines, campaigns and still life. The monochromatic technique is the ideal for this. Extra vibes, detailed and innovative. From the 50s with Richard Avedon and Helmut Newton to Peter Lindbergh and Herb Ritts. They all are known for the monochromatic way of capturing their photos, especially in the fashion industry.
Many of their photos are worldwide known because of the fashion magazines or the billboards advertisements, or famous persons' portraits such as Linda Evangelista, Twiggy and Madonna. And yes, some of them might seem familiar to you.
