Exploring the Impact of Colour vs Black and White in Street Photography
- Martyn Hayes
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
Settling the score of which is better - Colour or monochrome
If you're into photography, you might hit a point where you need to choose between shooting in colour or black and white. Each style has its own aesthetic and can change how people see the moment you’ve captured.
Street photography is all about capturing the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s spontaneous and full of surprises, so making the right choice can really shape the story your photos tell.
In this blog, let's dive into both options and while reviewing example photos from yours truly.
The impact of colour in street photography
Colour street photography can be incredibly vibrant and engaging, drawing the viewer's eye to the myriad hues and shades present in the environment. The use of colour can enhance the storytelling aspect of an image, as it often conveys mood and atmosphere.
Advantages of using colour for street photography
Advantage 1: It dates your images
Think about the colours of clothes or cars that aren't trendy anymore. Years down the line, this can really give you an edge. After all, you're capturing a moment as a documentary photographer. So, when people look at your photos years later, they can feel a sense of nostalgia from the scenes you've snapped.
Advantage 2: It can evoke a sense of realism
Think of the work by Martin Parr - It has a sense of kitchen sink realism about it. Remember, your job as an artist is to evoke an emotion or narrative. This can be a powerful tool to use.
Advantage 3: You can highlight relationships between people or objects
If two colours within your photo are the same, your observer will instinctively make the connection. Thus, associate items as related as part of your narrative. Take the image above for example. You can see how I've married the swirling white colours of the text and umbrella. Thus, giving the subject a relationship with their environment. Likewise, the matching of the yellow pushchair and crosswalk merges each other within the environment.
More examples of colour in street photography
Colour can highlight cultural elements and social dynamics that might otherwise go unnoticed in monochrome. The diverse clothing styles, graffiti, and urban landscapes come alive in colour, allowing the photographer to showcase the richness of the environment.
Drawbacks of shooting in colour
Colour photography is much harder than black and white. When shooting monochrome, you just have to think in shades. However, with colour you have to consider tones that may clash or be distracting. That being said, once you get the knack of things, it can be heaps of fun to experiment with.
When black and white photography is the better option
When you take out the colour, it really lets you zero in on the composition, textures, and contrasts in the image. This approach can highlight the emotional impact of a moment, helping viewers connect deeply with the subjects and their stories.
Advantages of shooting street photography in black and white
Advantage 1: It's easier
To nail black and white photography, you've got to think in monochrome. Keep an eye out for shades that really stand out against your background. Like, if you spot someone in a white coat in front of a dark wall, that's perfect. It's a cool way to make your subject pop!
Advantage 2: It simplifies your scene
Monochrome takes away the distraction of different colours and helps your audience focus on the story you're trying to tell.
Advantage 3: It often feels timeless
Think about the work of Brassai or Henri Cartier Bresson. Their photos have this timeless, historic feel that can enhance the storytelling aspect of what you're aiming for.
So, which should you choose for street photography - Colour or Black and White?
Deciding whether to shoot in colour or black and white really comes down to your vision and the story you're aiming to tell. Some photographers stick to one style all the time, while others switch it up based on what they're shooting and the feel they're going for.
Make your narrative and research your starting point
Instead of jumping right into it, think about the story you want to tell first. Maybe pick a theme and make a documentary about it. You could capture a protest, document a community, or show people's reactions to a celebration, for example.
Once you have that figured out, dive into some research on other artists for inspiration. Check out what they did to build a narrative. Visiting a gallery or attending a talk by a famous photographer can really get your creative juices flowing.
Pretty soon, you'll have tons of ideas bouncing around in your head, which will help you make those technical choices like which lens to use and what time of day to shoot. You'll then be ready to make that all-important decision of whether to go with colour or black and white for your street photography.
Reach out to me for advice
If you found this blog helpful, reach out and let's chat about how we can team up. Who knows, it might turn into something special. Also, take a look around the website for more examples of documentary photography.
Comments