Why Monochrome?

Monochrome photography is photography where the image produced has a single hue, rather than recording the colours of the object that was photographed. It includes all forms of black-and-white photography, which produce images containing tones of grey ranging from black to white. Black-and-white photography is considered more subtle and interpretive, and less realistic than colour photography. Monochrome images are not direct renditions of their subjects, but are abstractions from reality, representing colours in shades of grey.

Modern Black & White Photography
Modern black-and-white photography can be either film-based or digital. The process remains the same in that the film or digital sensor is exposed to light through a lens, and then the resulting image is processed either in a darkroom or by computer to create the final black-and-white image. Despite advances into digital photography, many artists continue to use and prefer traditional film processes. The advantage to digital photography is that the process is chemical free; however, film still has a greater dynamic capture range than a digital photography sensor, allowing more minute control over the finished print.

Monochrome Photography is usually pictures in black and white but it also includes single toned pictures. A monochrome print often expresses ranges of tones and textures that a colour picture finds difficult. It is a most creative medium often able to express subtle emphasis of mood and feeling. Monochrome photography is about expression more than simply representation.

There are many ways to produce a monochrome print so why does a silver image represent the best option? Black and White images made from silver have been around for over 150 years. There is no doubt that real silver Black and White images last and have a timeless quality that cannot be matched. The fact that silver gives better control of image tone and is predictable, reliable and stable, makes it the perfect platform for creative image making. Genuine high quality Black & White prints are still highly sought after for the distinctive look and interpretation they bring to a subject, enhancing its merit artistically and hence it will have a higher intrinsic value.