
Vin - Femme voilée - Série : Carnotzet
Moz - David Vuillermoz
Photography - 96 x 120 x 0.1 cm Photography - 37.8 x 47.2 x 0 inch
$3,326
Black and white photography is a timeless technique that continues to captivate modern audiences, though it was once the only form of photography available. It is often associated with historical moments, vintage aesthetics, and a nostalgic feel, making it a powerful medium for capturing timeless imagery.
The origins of black and white photography date back to the 1830s when Joseph Nicéphore Niépce discovered how to print images onto metal plates. Following his death in 1833, Louis Daguerre, alongside François Arago, developed the daguerreotype—a process in which an image was created on a silver plate by exposure to light. This breakthrough invention laid the foundation for the photography we know today.
In its early stages, black and white photography was used primarily for research, but it quickly gained popularity. The advent of daguerreotype studios brought photography to the public, and black and white portraits became common, immortalizing the upper middle classes and eventually capturing all walks of life. Portraits of celebrities also became a key focus for photographers, a tradition carried on by Jean-Loup Sieff almost a century after the invention of photography.
While the first colored photographs appeared as early as 1860, it wasn't until the 20th century that the technique gained widespread use. During this time, many celebrated photographers emerged, contributing to the art of photography. Street photography, in particular, became a prominent style, with iconic photographers like Robert Doisneau, Brassaï, and Henri Cartier-Bresson capturing the urban landscapes and candid moments of the era. Their ability to freeze fleeting moments in black and white has made their work iconic, evoking a sense of nostalgia and emotion that transports us to the past.
In the United States, the humanist photographer Walker Evans played a key role in shaping black and white photography. He captured everyday life in modern America, whether in the bustling New York subway or the rural highways of the Deep South. Robert Frank followed in his footsteps, capturing raw, emotional portraits of the American people, marked by his unique photographic style and composition.
However, black and white photography isn't limited to everyday scenes—it can also elevate landscapes, as demonstrated by photographers like Kasra. His use of long exposure in black and white creates soft, ethereal effects that convey the passage of time in an extraordinary way. Photographers like Michael Kenna and Ricky Cohete also excel in this genre, capturing breathtaking black and white landscapes.
The contrast between black and white in photography is often used to enhance visual impact. Black, representing darkness or melancholy, and white, symbolizing light and hope, work together to accentuate form and contrast in a sophisticated and elegant manner. This combination directs the viewer's focus to the subject matter, creating powerful imagery that speaks to emotions.
Black and white photography often evokes nostalgia, embedding a sense of timelessness in each image. Its ability to capture moments frozen in time makes it a unique and enduring artistic choice.
At Artsper, we invite you to explore this captivating art form with a curated selection of works from renowned photographers such as Brno Del Zou, Yevgeniy Repiashenko, Emmanuelle Barbaras, Bert Stern, Alexander Benz, and Hervé Gloaguen. These artists showcase the power and beauty of black and white photography, offering a glimpse into moments of history and emotion through their lens.
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Photography - 96 x 120 x 0.1 cm Photography - 37.8 x 47.2 x 0 inch
$3,326
Photography - 61 x 51 x 0.01 cm Photography - 24 x 20.1 x 0 inch
$1,973
Photography - 60 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$676
Photography - 120 x 120 x 0.1 cm Photography - 47.2 x 47.2 x 0 inch
$2,954
Photography - 35.6 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Photography - 14 x 11 x 0.1 inch
$12,000
Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch
$868
Photography - 61 x 51 cm Photography - 24 x 20.1 inch
$2,368
Photography - 34 x 53.3 x 0.5 cm Photography - 13.4 x 21 x 0.2 inch
$1,500
Photography - 80 x 60 x 1 cm Photography - 31.5 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch
$620
Photography - 50 x 40 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 inch
$2,819
Photography - 45.7 x 55.9 cm Photography - 18 x 22 inch
$12,000
Photography - 60 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$676
Photography - 91.4 x 61 x 0.3 cm Photography - 36 x 24 x 0.1 inch
$2,222
Photography - 107 x 166 x 0.3 cm Photography - 42.1 x 65.4 x 0.1 inch
$10,000
Photography - 30 x 36.5 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 14.4 x 0 inch
$902
Photography - 61 x 46 x 2 cm Photography - 24 x 18.1 x 0.8 inch
$654
Photography - 30 x 22.5 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 8.9 x 0.4 inch
$665
Photography - 70 x 70 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch
$874 $743
Photography - 50 x 70 x 0.2 cm Photography - 19.7 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch
$5,074
Photography - 30 x 40 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 inch
$3,270
Photography - 152.4 x 190.5 cm Photography - 60 x 75 inch
$15,250
Photography - 36 x 28 cm Photography - 14.2 x 11 inch
$778
Photography - 41 x 58 x 0.1 cm Photography - 16.1 x 22.8 x 0 inch
$834
Photography - 40 x 40 x 4 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.6 inch
$564
Photography - 35.6 x 27.9 x 1.3 cm Photography - 14 x 11 x 0.5 inch
$1,950
Photography - 100 x 120 x 2 cm Photography - 39.4 x 47.2 x 0.8 inch
$2,480
Photography - 60 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0 inch
$1,353
Photography - 60 x 60 x 1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch
$676
Photography - 76 x 56 x 0.05 cm Photography - 29.9 x 22 x 0 inch
$665
Photography - 61 x 88.9 x 2.5 cm Photography - 24 x 35 x 1 inch
$18,500
Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch
$2,199
Photography - 60 x 42 x 0.5 cm Photography - 23.6 x 16.5 x 0.2 inch
$1,860
Photography - 46 x 36 x 0.5 cm Photography - 18.1 x 14.2 x 0.2 inch
$2,142
Photography - 27 x 21 x 0.2 cm Photography - 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
$36,079
Photography - 91.4 x 61 x 0.3 cm Photography - 36 x 24 x 0.1 inch
$5,000
Photography - 69 x 100 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27.2 x 39.4 x 0.1 inch
$1,500
Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.3 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.1 inch
$609
Photography - 113.6 x 81.6 x 0.25 cm Photography - 44.7 x 32.1 x 0.1 inch
$1,500 $1,125
Photography - 50.2 x 40 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.75 x 15.75 x 0.1 inch
$45,000
Photography - 102 x 130 x 2 cm Photography - 40.2 x 51.2 x 0.8 inch
$11,275
Photography - 160 x 90 x 1 cm Photography - 63 x 35.4 x 0.4 inch
$1,804
Photography - 75 x 50 x 1.5 cm Photography - 29.5 x 19.7 x 0.6 inch
$2,019
Photography - 110 x 91.9 x 0.3 cm Photography - 43.3 x 36.2 x 0.1 inch
$2,000
Photography - 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$1,353
Photography - 120 x 80 x 1 cm Photography - 47.2 x 31.5 x 0.4 inch
$2,819
Photography - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
$970
Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 0.5 inch
$1,600
Photography - 60 x 90 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 inch
$2,819
Photography - 35 x 27.5 x 0.3 cm Photography - 13.8 x 10.8 x 0.1 inch
$1,240
Photography - 30 x 44 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.3 inch
$2,029
Photography - 80 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography - 31.5 x 23.6 x 0 inch
$846
Photography - 203.2 x 162.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 80 x 64 x 0.1 inch
$14,000
Photography - 26 x 45 x 0.2 cm Photography - 10.2 x 17.7 x 0.1 inch
$1,082
Photography - 53 x 64 x 0.01 cm Photography - 20.9 x 25.2 x 0 inch
$7,328
Photography - 38.1 x 48.3 cm Photography - 15 x 19 inch
$4,500
Photography - 120 x 180 x 2 cm Photography - 47.2 x 70.9 x 0.8 inch
$2,819
In photography, black and white means that all color has been removed from the image, leaving just shades of gray that span from black to white. This can either be done digitally or by using black and white film.
Many photographers and artists use black and white photography because it removes the distraction of color from an image. This can draw more focus to elements of the image such as the facial expression or gesture of the subject, the composition, or the shapes and textures.
Black and white photography is generally shot using the same equipment as color photography (although if film, using black and white film), but artists may optimise their results by looking for high contrast images, light sources, and interesting textures.
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The art is yours
The art is yours