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There is something about black and white photos that just captures our attention. Maybe it’s the simplicity of the images or the way they can evoke emotions in us that color photos can’t. Whatever it is, black and white photography has been around for centuries and shows no signs of going out of style. In this blog post, experts like Bruce Weber Photographer will explore the history of black and white photography and discuss why it continues to be popular today.
1. The history of black and white photography
Black and white photography has been around since the early 1800s. The first permanent photo was taken in 1826 by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. His photo, called “View from the Window at Le Gras,” is now considered to be the oldest surviving photograph in existence. Niépce took this photo by coating a pewter plate with a light-sensitive chemical and then exposing it to sunlight for eight hours. The result was an image that showed the view from his window.
While Niépce is credited with taking the first photo, it was French artist Louis Daguerre who created the first commercially successful photography process in 1839. His process, known as the daguerreotype, used a silver-coated copper plate that was exposed to iodine vapor before being exposed to light. This made the image on the plate more visible. Daguerre’s process quickly became popular and by the 1850s, there were over 72 studios in Paris alone.
It wasn’t until the late 1800s that black and white photography really began to take off. This was thanks to new developments in technology, such as the introduction of film in 1884. A film made it possible for photos to be taken without the need for a darkroom or dangerous chemicals. This made photography more accessible to the masses and helped to fuel its popularity.
2. The benefits of black and white photography
So, what is it about black and white photos that make them so special? For starters, they can convey a sense of timelessness. Color photos often date themselves because the clothing, hairstyles, and even the cars in the background can give away when they were taken. But black and white photos don’t have this problem. They can be taken in any era and still look just as relevant today.
Black and white photos can also be more emotive than color photos. The absence of color allows us to focus on the subject matter and the emotions they are conveying. This is why black and white portraits are so popular. They allow us to see the person’s face without any distractions.
Lastly, black and white photos can have a more artistic look to them. This is because they often require more careful composition and lighting than color photos. When done well, black and white photos can be truly stunning works of art.
3. How to create a black and white photo in Photoshop
If you’re interested in creating your own black and white photos, there are a few different ways you can do it. One way is to convert a color photo to black and white. This can be done in Photoshop by going to Image > Adjustments > Black & White.
You can also create a black and white photo from scratch by using Photoshop’s grayscale mode. To do this, go to Image > Mode > Grayscale. This will remove all the color from your image and leave you with a black and white version.
Once you’ve created your black and white photo, you can then adjust the levels, contrast, and other settings to get the look you want.
