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 for Sale
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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Donna Summer
Michael Putland
Photography - 61 x 51 x 0.01 cm Photography - 24 x 20.1 x 0 inch
$1,973
Coluche - Iconic portraits
Arnaud Baumann
Photography - 60 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$676
Elan
Yevgeniy Repiashenko
Photography - 120 x 120 x 0.1 cm Photography - 47.2 x 47.2 x 0 inch
$2,954
Mainbocher Corset. Paris. Printed later
Horst P. Horst
Photography - 35.6 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Photography - 14 x 11 x 0.1 inch
$12,000
Ali Patterson II
Gerry Cranham
Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch
$868
The Coen Brothers (2001)
Kevin Westenberg
Photography - 61 x 51 cm Photography - 24 x 20.1 inch
$2,368
Hidden in Plain Sight
Amrita Bilimoria
Photography - 34 x 53.3 x 0.5 cm Photography - 13.4 x 21 x 0.2 inch
$1,500
Dans la machine
Muriel Deumie
Photography - 80 x 60 x 1 cm Photography - 31.5 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch
$620
Mick Jagger - Le poing - London - Derniers tirages
Pierre Terrasson
Photography - 50 x 40 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 inch
$2,819
Picasso Preside la Corrida - Frejus, 1962
Lucien Clergue
Photography - 45.7 x 55.9 cm Photography - 18 x 22 inch
$12,000
Photographie fine art d'inspiration japonaise - Ashi Yuki : Herbes enneigées / paysages minimaliste noir et blanc.
Adrianna MJW
Photography - 60 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$676
Men Legs One: From Motion Series
Ricky Cohete
Photography - 91.4 x 61 x 0.3 cm Photography - 36 x 24 x 0.1 inch
$2,222
Jamie Dornan and Antonio Banderas, Diptych. Intervened by the artists.
Hunter & Gatti
Photography - 107 x 166 x 0.3 cm Photography - 42.1 x 65.4 x 0.1 inch
$10,000
Nai (Identity Assertions Series)
Imanol Marrodán
Photography - 30 x 36.5 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 14.4 x 0 inch
$902
Peché originel
Yoland Rafougilet
Photography - 61 x 46 x 2 cm Photography - 24 x 18.1 x 0.8 inch
$654
Le Rêve
Christelle Yambayisa
Photography - 30 x 22.5 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 8.9 x 0.4 inch
$665
Immersion
Mario Tarantino
Photography - 70 x 70 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch
$874 $743
Cubic Feet Empaquetages
Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Photography - 50 x 70 x 0.2 cm Photography - 19.7 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch
$5,074
14 juillet 1936 - Rue Saint Antoine Paris
Willy Ronis
Photography - 30 x 40 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 inch
$3,270
The World Needs More Cowgirls (L)
Beau Simmons
Photography - 152.4 x 190.5 cm Photography - 60 x 75 inch
$15,250
Steve McQueen. En couple. Le script
George Barris
Photography - 36 x 28 cm Photography - 14.2 x 11 inch
$778
Lagune à l'embellie - série Paysage de Nature de Charente-Maritime
Dominique Cahier
Photography - 41 x 58 x 0.1 cm Photography - 16.1 x 22.8 x 0 inch
$834
La montée des eaux
Fabienne Cresens
Photography - 40 x 40 x 4 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.6 inch
$564
Tina Turner, Paris
Bob Gruen
Photography - 35.6 x 27.9 x 1.3 cm Photography - 14 x 11 x 0.5 inch
$1,950
C'est ici que j'ai perdu mes contours
Julie Peiffer
Photography - 100 x 120 x 2 cm Photography - 39.4 x 47.2 x 0.8 inch
$2,480
Story of Love N°19
Anna Laza
Photography - 60 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0 inch
$1,353
Coney Island
Alexandra Breznay
Photography - 60 x 60 x 1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch
$676
Bouddha de Bamiyan
Ernst Scheidegger
Photography - 76 x 56 x 0.05 cm Photography - 29.9 x 22 x 0 inch
$665
Mutum Village, Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (XL)
Sebastião Salgado
Photography - 61 x 88.9 x 2.5 cm Photography - 24 x 35 x 1 inch
$18,500
Col de San Petru
Sophie Mabille
Photography - 60 x 90 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0 inch
$2,199
Tornando con le spese, Novembre 1955 - New York
Fabrizio La Torre
Photography - 60 x 42 x 0.5 cm Photography - 23.6 x 16.5 x 0.2 inch
$1,860
Félix VALLOTTON Paysage Les Champs
Eugène Druet
Photography - 46 x 36 x 0.5 cm Photography - 18.1 x 14.2 x 0.2 inch
$2,142
Portrait of Francis Picabia
Man Ray
Photography - 27 x 21 x 0.2 cm Photography - 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
$36,079
Butch Chanel: John, Robert and Michael, NYC
Michael James O'Brien
Photography - 91.4 x 61 x 0.3 cm Photography - 36 x 24 x 0.1 inch
$5,000
Things aren't always what they seem
On Hansen
Photography - 69 x 100 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27.2 x 39.4 x 0.1 inch
$1,500
Moissons de nuées
Philippe Guenin
Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.3 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.1 inch
$609
Himba mother and child
Faie Davis
Photography - 113.6 x 81.6 x 0.25 cm Photography - 44.7 x 32.1 x 0.1 inch
$1,500 $1,125
Bill T. Jones
Robert Mapplethorpe
Photography - 50.2 x 40 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.75 x 15.75 x 0.1 inch
$45,000
Napoli
Gabriele Basilico
Photography - 102 x 130 x 2 cm Photography - 40.2 x 51.2 x 0.8 inch
$11,275
Paris 13 ème "Olympiades Vibes N°2" (XL)
Papa Mesk
Photography - 160 x 90 x 1 cm Photography - 63 x 35.4 x 0.4 inch
$1,804
Calligraphing en l'air #6
Cody Choi
Photography - 75 x 50 x 1.5 cm Photography - 29.5 x 19.7 x 0.6 inch
$2,019
Ituango, Pigment Prints
Miguel Winograd
Photography - 110 x 91.9 x 0.3 cm Photography - 43.3 x 36.2 x 0.1 inch
$2,000
Ôte toi de mon soleil
Joachim Beauvilain
Photography - 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$1,353
Grandma Divers IX
Alain Schroeder
Photography - 120 x 80 x 1 cm Photography - 47.2 x 31.5 x 0.4 inch
$2,819
Revisiter la nature
Helga Stüber-Nicolas
Photography - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
$970
Frida Kahlo I
Marcel Sternberger
Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 0.5 inch
$1,600
Série : Se faire passer pour Mao
Nathalie Daoust
Photography - 60 x 90 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 inch
$2,819
Madonna
Kristina Trudorudo
Photography - 35 x 27.5 x 0.3 cm Photography - 13.8 x 10.8 x 0.1 inch
$1,240
Marilyn Monroe et l'éléphantin du cirque Barnum
Walter Carone
Photography - 30 x 44 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.3 inch
$2,029
Deux chevaux - Size L
Bertrand Nicolas
Photography - 80 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography - 31.5 x 23.6 x 0 inch
$846
Polyptych. From The Carry the Ocean Series
Shine Huang
Photography - 203.2 x 162.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 80 x 64 x 0.1 inch
$14,000
La passerelle du Croaë
Anne-Marie Toporkoff
Photography - 26 x 45 x 0.2 cm Photography - 10.2 x 17.7 x 0.1 inch
$1,082
I,ll be your mirror
Philippe Morillon
Photography - 53 x 64 x 0.01 cm Photography - 20.9 x 25.2 x 0 inch
$7,328
Andy Warhol and Keith Haring
Christopher Makos
Photography - 38.1 x 48.3 cm Photography - 15 x 19 inch
$4,500
Kissing ladies - Limited edition
Jordi Gomez
Photography - 120 x 180 x 2 cm Photography - 47.2 x 70.9 x 0.8 inch
$2,819
Discover the styles & movements
Discover the selection of our experts
Elan
Yevgeniy Repiashenko
Photography - 120 x 120 x 0.1 cm Photography - 47.2 x 47.2 x 0 inch
$2,954
Untitled - Expression no. 1
Jackson Pollock
Print - 58.5 x 74 x 0.2 cm Print - 23 x 29.1 x 0.1 inch
$49,608
Floating memories 03
Yasuo Kiyonaga
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 0.1 inch
$902
Ali Patterson II
Gerry Cranham
Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch
$868
The Coen Brothers (2001)
Kevin Westenberg
Photography - 61 x 51 cm Photography - 24 x 20.1 inch
$2,368
Need help with Black and White Photography ?
What does black and white mean in photography?
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.
What is good about black and white photography?
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.
What techniques are used in black and white photography?
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.