In the vibrant world of color photography, it can often seem like black and white imagery has taken a backseat in the creative realm. But that’s really not the case. In fact, many would argue that the profound power of photography shines through black and white imagery even more. The unvarnished honesty revealed in black and white helps heighten the viewer’s intrigue. Some even say by stripping the distractions of color tones, you expose the very soul of a photograph. That’s why this week we’re featuring a group of creators who aren’t afraid to view life through the lens in black and white. They convey rich narratives, provoke deep emotions and encapsulate the essence of their scenes and subjects in striking contrasts that stand out, no color needed. See how they tell their stories through black and white, using monochrome to their advantage.

Are you making your own monochrome magic? This week’s Alpha Female+ Micro Grant theme is also Black & White. Join the Sony Alpha Female Facebook Group to connect with other Alpha Females and to enter for your chance to win $500.

Steven Irby – @stevesweatpants

Sony Brand Ambassador Steven Irby is a street photographer based in New York City and the co-founder of @streetdreamsmag. You’ll find a complete portfolio of compelling black and white photography throughout his Instagram feed, and in the post below he takes us to Mexico City where he captured these incredible images with his Sony Alpha 7R III and Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. Learn more about his work and the gear he uses in How A Street Photographer Captures The Vibe Of New York City.

Kesha Lambert – @keshalambert

Sony Artisan Kesha Lambert is a wedding, portrait and brand photographer. She sets the bar for documenting a wedding day at the highest level, telling the full story of the day through each frame. She knows exactly where to be to capture that perfect moment, like the ones below. The black and white helps highlight both the intimacy and importance of the moment even more.

Peter McBride – @pedromcbride

Sony Artisan Peter McBride is a photographer, filmmaker, writer and public speaker who has traveled to over 75 countries for the likes of the National Geographic Society, Smithsonian, and The Nature Conservancy. His work on Instagram features water, wildlife and wild places – and while many shots are filled with color, the black and white photos stand out on his account. See the images below that are part of a mother-son exhibit (his mother is a talented watercolor artist) and find them in person at the Aspen Chapel in Colorado through the end of April 2024.

Sara France – @sarafrance

Sony Artisan Sara France is a renowned luxury wedding photographer in San Diego and for destination weddings. Her beautiful wedding imagery showcases the couple’s love on their big day, and in the image below she captures that love just as much in black and white. She writes, “In a world of color, there's something uniquely captivating about the timeless elegance of black and white images.” 

Katrin Eismann – @katrin_eismann

Sony Artisan Katrin Eismann is an Adobe Product Manager, artist, author, educator and photographer. Her curiosity for all things leads her to create compelling travel, still life and portrait photography, like in the monochrome images below she captured while traveling with her Sony Alpha 7CR and Sony 55mm f/1.8. “We sailed down the Nile River on a small boat with four cabins. The ship’s crew worked diligently and between tasks allowed me to create portraits as we silently passed antiquity.”

Gina Danza – @wildgina

Gina Danza is an intimate landscape photographer, SciArtist and Sony Brand Ambassador. Her imagery gets up close with nature, sharing an intimate look at the details of our environment. The image below is a beautiful monochrome series taken in the San Francisco Botanical Garden. She posted them with a thoughtful caption including the words, “Sometimes, stripping back the color in your own world can help you appreciate the details of the roots of your own life.”

Thibault Roland – @thibaultrolandphoto

Thibault Roland is a fine art photographer specializing in black and white seascapes, landscapes and architectural photography. He posts the image below, taken of a broken pier in the Outer Banks in North Carolina, and writes, “As a fine art photographer, I create images that are always based on a real subject. That being said, I then strive to transform that subject into something different, into something more…” Read the rest of his post to see why this image is a perfect example of that transformative process, and check out his Camera Setup Tips For Long Exposure Black & White Photography to learn more about how he creates his imagery.

Dan Newton – @dan.newtons

Dan Newton is a photographer who’s passionate about capturing the beauty of the natural world. He aims to take his time so he can capture the perfect moment when the light and composition come together. We love this tense moment he posted in black and white of a pack of wild dogs, also known as African wild dogs or painted dogs. He took it with his Sony Alpha 1 and Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master, and included in his caption some important information about the animals. “Wild dogs are endangered due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and infectious diseases like rabies and distemper.” Read more in his post below.